2026 NBA Playoffs

Live Updates: Knicks Defeat Cavaliers, Take 3-0 Series Lead

We'll present highlights, updates and live scores from the Game 3 matchup between the Cavaliers and Knicks

NBA.com Staff

CLEVELAND, OHIO – MAY 23: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates a basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Rocket Arena on May 23, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

We’re bringing you the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights from Saturday’s action.

What We Know After Saturday’s Matchup

 

-Knicks Take 3-0 Series Lead: New York has won 10 straight games and is now just one win away from reaching the NBA Finals.

Game 4 will be in Cleveland on Monday.

 

Top Performers of the Night

 

-Jalen Brunson had 30 points, three rebounds and six assists.

-Mikal Bridges amassed 22 points, six rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks on 11-for-15 shooting.

-OG Anunoby accrued 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

-Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 13 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals.

-Josh Hart had 12 points, nine rebounds, four assists and five steals.

-Evan Mobley collected 24 points, six rebounds and two assists.

-Donovan Mitchell provided 23 points, four assists and three steals.

-James Harden totaled 19 points, five rebounds and five assists.

11:04 PM / May 23, 2026

Knicks Defeat Cavaliers, 121-108

New York has taken a commanding 3-0 lead in this series.

The Knicks shot 56 percent from the field, 39 percent from 3-point range and 89 percent from the free-throw line.

They also recorded 27 assists to 14 turnovers, while Cleveland had 22 assists to 17 turnovers.

Jalen Brunson led the way with 30 points, three rebounds and six assists.

All five starters scored at least 12 points.

Game 4 is on Monday.

10:49 PM / May 23, 2026

Knicks Take 3-0 Series Lead

New York has won 10 straight games.

They’ve also won five straight road games by 10-plus points, which ties an NBA record.

In that 10-game winning streak, the Knicks are winning by over 20 points per game.

10:30 PM / May 23, 2026

One Final Push for Cleveland?

The Cavaliers need a comeback here to avoid a 3-0 hole in this series.

Landry Shamet has hit three massive 3-pointers this quarter, and New York has a game-high 17-point lead with five minutes remaining.

See the finish on ABC. 

10:07 PM / May 23, 2026

Knicks Lead Cavs After 3Q, 91-82

New York is still shooting 57 percent from the field.

Jalen Brunson leads the way with 21 points, three rebounds and four assists.

James Harden leads Cleveland with 19 points and five rebounds.

See the fourth quarter on ABC. 

 

9:41 PM / May 23, 2026

Second Half is Underway

New York leads Cleveland, 60-54.

They led for the entirety of the first half, but Cleveland did tie the game at 50-50.

The Knicks lead this series, 2-0.

See the second half on ABC. 

9:25 PM / May 23, 2026

Knicks Lead Cavs at the Half, 60-54

New York shot 57 percent from the field in the opening half.

They also out-assisted Cleveland, 13-8.

James Harden leads Cleveland with 14 points and four rebounds.

OG Anunoby leads NY with 13 points and three rebounds.

9:07 PM / May 23, 2026

Jaylon Tyson Fantastic Finish

Cleveland is coming back, and this is part of their big run.

They have tied the game at 48-48 midway through the second quarter.

See the action on ABC. 

 

8:44 PM / May 23, 2026

Knicks Lead Cavs, 37-27

New York shot 71 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range in that opening quarter.

They lead this series, 2-0.

Karl-Anthony Towns has 11 points and two rebounds.

See the action on ABC.

8:15 PM / May 23, 2026

Game 3 is Underway on ABC

We’re down to the final four teams in the NBA.

This Eastern Conference Finals has the Knicks sitting with a 2-0 series lead.

With that said, both games were at home for NY, so Cleveland could hold serve with two home wins.

They need to start that comeback here!

The Knicks have a 9-1 lead early in this game, but San Antonio led 15-0 yesterday!

See the action on ABC. 

7:59 PM / May 23, 2026

Game 3 Starting Lineups

They say a series never starts until the home team has lost, but Cleveland desperately needs a win here.

They trail 0-2 in this series but had a 27-14 record at home during the regular season.

A 3-0 hole is almost insurmountable, while a 2-1 series will put Cleveland right back on serve.

Game 4 will be in Cleveland on Monday.

See the action on ABC. 

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