Knicks storm back to shock Cavs in Game 1 as James Harden's defensive play comes under scrutiny

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com.

James Harden’s defensive liabilities came into focus in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Game 1 collapse against the New York Knicks on Tuesday night.

The Cavaliers led by as many as 22 points before Jalen Brunson led the Knicks to a storming comeback victory, 115-104. Brunson had 38 points, including crucial buckets in the fourth quarter while Harden was guarding him. 

Harden put the Cavaliers ahead with a few seconds to play, while Brunson answered back to tie the game. Cleveland’s Sam Merrill had an opportunity to give Cleveland the game-winning basket at the end of the fourth quarter, but his shot rolled around the rim and out.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

New York Knicks' Mikal Bridges, left, covers Cleveland Cavaliers' James Harden during the overtime period of Game 1 in the Eastern Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in New York.  (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York, then, outscored Cleveland, 14-3 in overtime to put the finishing touches on an incredible comeback.

Harden had 15 points, four rebounds and three assists, but was marked with six turnovers and was minus-6 on the floor. NBA fans targeted Harden for failing to do enough on defense when it mattered the most – a critique that has haunted him his entire career.

Knicks head coach Mike Brown pointed out after the game that the plan was to attack Harden.

"There is no secret: We were attacking Harden," Brown said. "Sometimes you’ve got to do what the game dictates, and they were trying to do the same thing with Jalen, so we said, ‘OK, we feel like we can play that game.’ We try not to play that game