Knicks tops Warriors, Celtics in insane NBA playoff comeback history

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May 20, 2026 - 05:29

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Knicks tops Warriors, Celtics in insane NBA playoff comeback history originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Knicks delivered an all-time classic on Tuesday as they rallied in the fourth quarter to erase a 22-point deficit in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Knicks were trailing 93-71 with just under eight minutes remaining. At that point, everyone thought that it was all but over. But Jalen Brunson & Co. exploded on a 30-8 run to force overtime before outdueling the Cavs completely in the extra period. Out of Brunson's total 38 points, 17 came during the late comeback and overtime push.

The 22-point comeback in the 115-104 overtime win at Madison Square Garden not only stunned but also rewrote a brutal chapter in NBA playoff history.

MORE:Jalen Brunson powers Knicks’ stunning comeback as Cavaliers collapse in Game 1

Knicks' 22-point comeback comes second in NBA playoff history

The insane 22-point turnaround was the second-largest comeback in the fourth quarter of NBA playoff history in the play-by-play era. The first in the list remains the Los Angeles Clippers' 24-point comeback against the Memphis Grizzlies in 2012.

The Knicks surpassed the Boston Celtics' 21-point comeback against the New York Nets in 2002 and the Golden State Warriors' 20-point comeback against the New Orleans Pelicans in 2015.

In the last 30 years, there have been 750 instances when a team has entered the fourth quarter down by 20 or more points. On Tuesday, the Knicks became just the fourth team to deliver the comeback, taking the staggering record to 4-747.