Cavs-Knicks Game 2 instant reaction. Cavaliers have issues to sort quickly
Cavs-Knicks Game 2 instant reaction. Cavaliers have issues to sort quickly
Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal Fri, May 22, 2026 at 3:01 AM UTC
0
Cavs-Knicks Game 2 instant reaction. Cavaliers have issues to sort quickly
NEW YORK — The Cavaliers entered Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals looking to rebound from one of the most back-breaking losses in recent NBA history.
In Game 1, the Cavs led by 22 points in the fourth quarter and analytically had a 99.9% chance of stealing a game in New York before Jalen Brunson tore apart James Harden and the Cleveland defense en route to a wild overtime win.
In Game 2, the Knicks used an 18-0 third-quarter run to take command en route to a 109-93 win to take a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 is set for May 23 at Rocket Arena.
Advertisement
Here is an instant reaction to Cavs-Knicks Game 2 from Beacon Journal writer Ryan Lewis.
Cavs vs Knicks Game 2: Ryan Lewis' instant reaction -
The Cavaliers have a few trending issues to sort out as soon as possible.
The first is that the Knicks have now put together at least an 18-0 run in both games in this series. With a team with as much talent as the Knicks, runs like that will likely win any game (or build a commanding lead). The Knicks have rode waves of momentum to a 2-0 series lead, and if the Cavs are unable to stop those kinds of runs, they're in major trouble.
The second is that although Donovan Mitchell still was an impactful scorer, he hasn't been playing nearly as downhill as he was in the Detroit Pistons series, and especially not as much in Game 7. It's unclear if anything is bothering him health-wise — especially an ankle — but he clearly hasn't had the same level of aggressiveness with the ball.
Before Game 2, Knicks coach Mike Brown noted how much Max Strus and Sam Merrill can hurt opposing teams with their shooting ability. He's right in general, but that never showed up, as midway through the fourth quarter, that pair was a combined 2-for-14 shooting from the floor, which was compounded with Dennis Schroder again struggling as well. At one point, the Cavs bench was shooting a combined 5 of 23 from the floor. The Cavs on paper have all the firepower they need to battle the Knicks offense, but they need all of it.
Twice in the 2026 playoffs, the Cavs have lost back-to-back road games and then won the next game at Rocket Arena. Now, their playoff lives likely depend on doing it a third time.
Ryan Lewis covers the Cavaliers for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavaliers vs Knicks instant reaction. Cavs dig 0-2 series hole again
Source: “AOL Sports”
