Christmas Day basketball at Madison Square Garden always brings a special kind of magic, and this year’s showdown between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers certainly delivered drama, fireworks, and a finish that had fans on the edge of their seats. The Knicks, led by a sensational Jalen Brunson, overcame a daunting 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter to stun the Cavaliers 126-124 in a game that will be talked about long after the holiday lights come down.
Coming into the contest, the Cavaliers were riding a modest win streak and hoping to build on their 17-14 record. Despite a season marked by injuries and lineup shuffles, Cleveland had their All-Star backcourt duo of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland healthy and ready to go. Mitchell, already enjoying a career year with averages of 30.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, looked to continue his torrid pace. Garland, back from toe soreness and showing improved form, had been averaging 21.0 points and 7.6 assists over his past eight outings, and he was eager to make an impact on the big stage.
The Cavaliers wasted no time asserting themselves. They burst out of the gates with a 20-5 run and finished the first quarter leading 38-23. The Knicks, however, were not about to let the holiday crowd go home disappointed. In the second quarter, they responded with a stunning 18-0 run, flipping the script and taking a 60-58 lead into halftime. The back-and-forth nature of the game kept everyone guessing. Cleveland, undeterred, closed the third quarter on a 25-13 run to seize a 96-84 advantage heading into the final frame.
Early in the third, Darius Garland delivered one of the game’s most electric moments. Spotting Donovan Mitchell streaking to the rim, Garland lofted a perfect halfcourt alley-oop, which Mitchell hammered home, pushing the Cavs’ lead to 68-63. The play was a testament to the chemistry between Cleveland’s star guards and seemed to signal that the Cavaliers were ready to pull away.
But the Knicks had other ideas. Jalen Brunson, who finished with 34 points, took over down the stretch. According to multiple reports, Brunson poured in 13 of his points in the final 7:15, including the go-ahead three-pointer with just 1:05 left. The Knicks’ reserves were equally crucial. Jordan Clarkson came off the bench to score 25, while Tyler Kolek delivered a career-defining performance with 16 points, nine assists, and a series of clutch plays in the fourth quarter. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds, anchoring the paint and keeping the Knicks in the fight.
One of the defining moments of the game came with 1:45 remaining. Darius Garland had just scooped up a loose ball and fired ahead to Donovan Mitchell, who broke free for what looked like an easy basket. Out of nowhere, Tyler Kolek chased Mitchell down and blocked his shot—a play initially called a foul but overturned after a replay review. The block electrified Madison Square Garden, and chants of “Tyler Kolek! Tyler Kolek!” echoed through the arena. Kolek, reflecting on the moment, said, “Right when Donovan Mitchell was on the ground I told him that was all ball.” Mitchell himself admitted, “Credit to him, man. I didn’t see him at all… He was like at the wing. I didn’t even know anybody was behind me. So, credit to him. Hell of a play. That’s winning basketball.”
The Cavaliers struggled to recover after that pivotal sequence. Kolek tracked down the rebound on Cleveland’s next missed shot and fed Mikal Bridges, who hit a jumper to give the Knicks a 118-117 lead. The Garden crowd, sensing the momentum shift, roared with approval. Meanwhile, Josh Hart, who had scored 15 points, exited with an ankle injury earlier in the fourth, forcing the Knicks to lean even more on their bench and collective grit.
Despite the Knicks’ surge, Cleveland refused to go quietly. Donovan Mitchell matched Brunson’s 34 points, and Garland notched a double-double with 20 points (on 7-14 shooting, including 3-4 from deep), one rebound, and 10 assists in 36 minutes. Jaylon Tyson chipped in 16 points off the bench, Evan Mobley—returning from a five-game absence due to a calf injury—added 14 points and nine rebounds, and De’Andre Hunter and Sam Merrill both reached double figures. Garland, in particular, has been heating up, posting his second 20-10 double-double in the last three games and scoring at least 20 points in four of his last six contests.
The final minutes were a blur of big shots and tense moments. Brunson tied the game at 113 with a clutch three-pointer, then Garland answered with a driving layup. Kolek responded with a three-pointer, and Bridges’ fallaway jumper put the Knicks ahead. Garland’s layup briefly gave Cleveland hope, but Brunson’s dagger three with just over a minute left put New York in control. The Cavaliers had chances—Mitchell missed a long three in the closing seconds, and Garland’s jumper fell short. Towns’ putback and a split at the line extended the Knicks’ lead, and Mitchell’s desperation 77-foot heave at the buzzer missed, sealing the win for New York.
For the Knicks, this was their largest comeback win of the season and a signature moment for their evolving roster under coach Mike Brown. The bench stepped up in a big way, and the defensive heroics of Tyler Kolek may well become part of Knicks Christmas lore. For Cleveland, the loss stings—especially given how rarely they’ve dropped games when leading entering the fourth quarter this season—but there were positives to take from the performances of Mitchell and Garland, as well as Mobley’s successful return.
As the dust settles, both teams will look to regroup and build on what they learned in this holiday thriller. The Knicks’ resilience and depth were on full display, while the Cavaliers showed flashes of brilliance that could prove vital as the Eastern Conference playoff race heats up. One thing’s for sure: fans on both sides got a Christmas treat they won’t soon forget.