Josh Hart delivered a playoff career-high of 26 points, while Jalen Brunson contributed 19 points and 14 assists, propelling the New York Knicks to a crucial 109-93 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night. This win puts the Knicks just two wins away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.

The Knicks showcased their dominance with a remarkable 18-0 run in the third quarter, establishing a substantial 71-53 lead. This victory marks their ninth consecutive win, the longest postseason streak since the Boston Celtics achieved ten straight wins on their way to the 2024 championship.

Coach Mike Brown praised Hart’s performance, stating, "Just a whale of a game from Josh."

In contrast, the Cavaliers faced an uphill battle as Donovan Mitchell led their scoring with 26 points, while James Harden added 18. With this loss, the Cavaliers find themselves in a 2-0 deficit for the second consecutive round, as they prepare to host Game Three on Saturday.

Despite the setback, Mitchell remained optimistic:

Nothing to hang our head about... We've seen this before so we're going to go to Game Three.

The Knicks, now in the Eastern Conference finals for the second year running, are focused on maintaining their momentum. Towns emphasized the importance of their next game, stating, "In our mind it's 0-0. We've got to win the next game."

Brunson, who previously scored 38 points in the Game One comeback, had a slow start in this match but ultimately played a pivotal role in the Knicks' decisive run. Hart, despite early struggles, resolved to keep shooting, leading to his breakout performance. The Cavaliers struggled with free-throw shooting, missing 10 attempts and finishing at 68.8%, hampering their chances to close the gap in the final minutes.