Cavaliers Hold Off Knicks 115-107 at Madison Square Garden

The Cleveland Cavaliers picked up a statement road win on November 12, 2026, defeating the New York Knicks 115-107 at Madison Square Garden. Cleveland’s balanced attack and late-game poise proved decisive in a nationally televised NBA matchup that lived up to its billing.

Game overview

The Cavaliers led 58-54 at halftime and kept the Knicks at arm’s length for much of the second half. New York briefly surged ahead in the third quarter behind Jalen Brunson’s shot-making, but Cleveland answered with a controlled fourth-quarter run to secure the victory. The final score reflected a game that was tight deep into the final six minutes before the Cavaliers created separation at both ends.

How the game turned

Cleveland’s decisive stretch came early in the fourth quarter, when the Cavaliers used a 12-2 run to turn a one-point deficit into a double-digit cushion. Donovan Mitchell sparked the burst with a step-back three and a driving layup, while Evan Mobley protected the rim on the other end. New York cut the lead to four late, but Cleveland converted its free throws and forced two critical turnovers in the final two minutes.

Standout performers

• Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 31 points, adding 6 assists and 4 rebounds.
• Evan Mobley finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks, impacting the game on both ends.
• Darius Garland added 19 points and 9 assists, steadying the offense in the fourth quarter.
• Jalen Brunson paced New York with 28 points and 7 assists.
• Karl-Anthony Towns posted 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks.

Tactical story

Cleveland’s defense forced 15 New York turnovers and limited the Knicks to 9-of-29 shooting from three-point range. The Cavaliers also won the rebounding battle by a narrow margin, with Mobley and Jarrett Allen controlling the paint. Offensively, Cleveland generated quality looks through pick-and-roll actions involving Garland and Mobley, and Mitchell’s isolation scoring gave the Cavaliers a reliable late-clock option.

What it means

The win strengthens Cleveland’s position in the early NBA standings and reinforces its credentials as a contender in the Eastern Conference. For New York, the loss is a frustrating home result but not a damaging one this early in the season. The head-to-head result adds another layer to what should be an intriguing rivalry as the 2026-27 campaign unfolds.