The Cleveland Cavaliers vs Knicks match on Christmas Day delivered a dramatic showdown at Madison Square Garden, where the New York Knicks edged the Cavaliers 126-124 in a high-scoring encounter.
The game, which tipped off at 9:00 PM on December 25, 2025, saw the Cavaliers jump to an early lead, only for the Knicks to mount a remarkable comeback in the fourth quarter.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 34 points, while Jalen Brunson matched that output for the Knicks, highlighting a night of individual brilliance and team resilience.
Quarter-by-Quarter Score Breakdown: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Knicks Match Player Stats
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLE | 38 | 20 | 38 | 28 | 124 |
| NY | 23 | 37 | 24 | 42 | 126 |
- Cavaliers surged early with a strong first quarter, leading 38-23.
- Knicks rallied in the second and fourth quarters to secure the win.
- The back-and-forth nature of the game highlighted the competitive spirit of both teams.
Key Player Stats: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Knicks
| Player | Team | PTS | FG | 3PT | FT | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donovan Mitchell | CLE | 34 | 12/25 | 4/9 | 6/6 | 7 | 6 |
| Darius Garland | CLE | 20 | 7/14 | 3/4 | 3/4 | 1 | 10 |
| Evan Mobley | CLE | 14 | 6/8 | 0/1 | 2/2 | 9 | 3 |
| Jalen Brunson | NY | 34 | 10/25 | 6/12 | 8/10 | 1 | 4 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | NY | 14 | 5/13 | 0/2 | 1/2 | 14 | 1 |
| Jordan Clarkson | NY | 25 | 9/17 | 5/10 | 2/2 | 1 | 2 |
| Tyler Kolek | NY | 16 | 5/9 | 4/5 | 2/2 | 3 | 9 |
- Mitchell and Brunson both scored 34 points, illustrating a head-to-head scoring duel.
- Towns dominated the boards with 14 rebounds.
- Kolek and Clarkson provided key contributions off the bench for the Knicks.
Team Comparison: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Knicks
| Stat | CLE | NY |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 52% | 47% |
| Three Point % | 44% | 48% |
| Free Throw % | 83% | 77% |
| Turnovers | 14 | 13 |
| Rebounds | 45 | 43 |
| Largest Lead | 17 | 6 |
| Percent Led | 74% | 17% |
- Cavaliers led in shooting efficiency but lost control in the final quarter.
- Knicks’ 48% three-point accuracy fueled their late comeback.
- Turnovers were nearly even, but the Knicks maximized clutch plays.
Full Player Lineups and Stats
Cleveland Cavaliers Starters
- Dean Wade: 6 PTS, 2-4 FG, 1-3 3PT, 1-1 FT, 4 REB, 2 AST
- Jarrett Allen: 7 PTS, 3-4 FG, 8 REB, 2 AST
- Donovan Mitchell: 34 PTS, 12-25 FG, 4-9 3PT, 6-6 FT, 7 REB, 6 AST
- Sam Merrill: 11 PTS, 4-11 FG, 2-8 3PT, 1-2 FT, 5 REB, 1 AST
- Darius Garland: 20 PTS, 7-14 FG, 3-4 3PT, 3-4 FT, 1 REB, 10 AST
New York Knicks Starters
- OG Anunoby: 8 PTS, 3-7 FG, 1-4 3PT, 1-1 FT, 2 REB, 2 AST
- Karl-Anthony Towns: 14 PTS, 5-13 FG, 0-2 3PT, 1-2 FT, 14 REB, 1 AST
- Josh Hart: 15 PTS, 5-9 FG, 2-5 3PT, 3-3 FT, 5 REB, 3 AST
- Mikal Bridges: 12 PTS, 5-10 FG, 2-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, 3 REB, 4 AST
- Jalen Brunson: 34 PTS, 10-25 FG, 6-12 3PT, 8-10 FT, 1 REB, 4 AST
- Bench players for the Knicks provided critical scoring bursts in the fourth quarter.
- Cavaliers’ reserves contributed modestly but could not halt the Knicks’ rally.
- Attendance was 19,812 at Madison Square Garden, and the game was broadcast on ABC and ESPN.
Bullet Points Summary
- Knicks overcame a 17-point deficit in Q4 to win 126-124.
- Brunson scored 34 points; Clarkson added 25 off the bench.
- Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 34 points and 7 rebounds.
- Cavaliers shot 52% overall, but Knicks’ three-point efficiency proved decisive.
- Tyler Kolek and Mitchell Robinson were key factors in the comeback effort.
The Cleveland Cavaliers vs Knicks match demonstrated the intensity and unpredictability of NBA basketball, leaving fans with a thrilling Christmas classic.