Miracle on 33rd Street: Brunson and Bench Mob Erase 17-Point Hole to Stun Cavs

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In a classic Madison Square Garden thriller, the New York Knicks erased a massive fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 126–124 on Christmas Day. Thanks in most part ot Jalen Brunson and the bench.

The win marked the Knicks’ third consecutive Christmas Day victory and moved them to 21–9 on the season, solidifying their spot near the top of the Eastern Conference.

The Lead Story: The 17-Point Comeback

Cleveland appeared to have the game in hand, leading 103–86 early in the fourth quarter. However, the Knicks’ second unit—led by Jordan Clarkson and rookie Tyler Kolek—ignited an incredible rally. New York outscored the Cavs 42–28 in the final frame, using a high-pressure defense and a barrage of three-pointers to stun the visitors.

The turning point came during a 13–2 run late in the game, punctuated by Jalen Brunson’s go-ahead three-pointer with just 1:05 remaining.

Key Performers & Box Score

Player	Points	Reb/Ast	Shooting / Notes
Jalen Brunson (NYK)	34	4 AST	6-12 from 3PT; hit the go-ahead shot.
Jordan Clarkson (NYK)	25	3 STL	Provided the veteran bench spark with 5 triples.
Tyler Kolek (NYK)	16	9 AST	+24 in 24 minutes; clutch block on Mitchell.
Donovan Mitchell (CLE)	34	7 REB	Tied game-high in points but went quiet late.
Darius Garland (CLE)	20	10 AST	Orchestrated a beautiful first-half offense.

Highlights of the Night

The “Lynchpin” Block: Rookie Tyler Kolek sent the Garden into a frenzy when he blocked a Donovan Mitchell layup in the final minutes. Originally called a foul, the play was overturned on review, leading to a “Kolek” chant from the New York faithful.

The Garland-to-Mitchell Lob: Early in the third quarter, Darius Garland threw a jaw-dropping alley-oop from beyond half-court that Mitchell slammed home, giving the Cavs a double-digit lead that seemed insurmountable at the time.

Robinson’s Grit: Mitchell Robinson didn’t score a single point, but his 13 rebounds (8 offensive) kept crucial possessions alive during the fourth-quarter surge.

Stat of the Night

18-0: The scoring run New York used in the second quarter to claw back from an early 15-point deficit. The game was a true battle of “runs,” with Cleveland leading by 17 in the first and 17 in the fourth, only for the Knicks to answer both times.

What’s Next?

The Knicks continue their push for the #1 seed in the East, while the Cavaliers (17–15) look to regain their poise after blowing their largest lead of the season.