The Cleveland Cavaliers vs Knicks match player stats provide a detailed look at one of the NBA’s most competitive Eastern Conference matchups. The two teams have built a strong rivalry through regular-season battles and playoff meetings.
Their most recent major meeting came in the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals. The New York Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games and advanced after winning each contest. The series featured standout performances from Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, Karl-Anthony Towns, Evan Mobley, Mikal Bridges, and several other key players.
Player statistics tell a deeper story than the final score alone. Points show scoring production, but rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, shooting efficiency, turnovers, and plus/minus can explain why a team controlled a game.
This guide breaks down the most important Cleveland Cavaliers vs Knicks match player stats, with a focus on the 2026 playoff matchup.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Knicks: 2026 Series Overview
The Cavaliers and Knicks met in the Eastern Conference Finals in May 2026. Cleveland entered the series as the No. 4 seed, while New York was the No. 3 seed.
New York won the series 4–0.
The four final scores were:
| Game | Matchup | Final Score | Leading Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Cavaliers vs Knicks | Knicks 115–104 | Jalen Brunson, 38 |
| Game 2 | Cavaliers vs Knicks | Knicks 109–93 | 26 points, tied |
| Game 3 | Knicks vs Cavaliers | Knicks 121–108 | Jalen Brunson, 30 |
| Game 4 | Knicks vs Cavaliers | Knicks 130–93 | Donovan Mitchell, 31 |
The series showed a clear difference in consistency. Cleveland produced several strong individual performances, but New York received reliable contributions across its starting lineup.
The Knicks also controlled the series through efficient scoring, rebounding, defensive pressure, and timely playmaking.
Jalen Brunson Player Stats vs Cleveland
Jalen Brunson was one of the biggest reasons New York won the series.
The Knicks guard averaged 25.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game across the four contests. He also shot 48.7% from the field.
Brunson was particularly important because he could create offense late in possessions. His ability to attack the paint, create mid-range opportunities, and make difficult shots gave Cleveland constant problems.
His best scoring performance came in Game 1.
Brunson finished that game with 38 points, six assists, five rebounds, and three steals. He shot 15-of-29 from the field.
That performance immediately established him as the primary offensive weapon in the series.
His playmaking was equally valuable. Brunson finished the four-game series with 31 total assists.
Donovan Mitchell Player Stats vs Knicks
Donovan Mitchell was Cleveland’s leading scorer during the series.
Mitchell averaged 27.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game against New York.
He scored 109 total points during the four games.
Mitchell also connected on 14 three-pointers from 37 attempts. That gave him a 37.8% three-point percentage for the series.
His strongest scoring performance came in Game 4. Despite Cleveland’s 130–93 loss, Mitchell scored 31 points.
His offensive production was not enough to overcome New York’s balanced attack. The Knicks consistently forced Cleveland to work for quality shots while generating efficient offense on the other end.
Evan Mobley vs Knicks: Stats and Impact
Evan Mobley was another important Cleveland contributor.
Mobley averaged 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game during the four-game series.
He also provided defensive value with 1.5 blocks per game.
His strongest performance came in Game 3. Mobley scored 24 points, grabbed six rebounds, recorded two assists, and blocked one shot.
He shot 10-of-18 from the field in that game.
Mobley’s combination of size, mobility, and defensive ability made him one of Cleveland’s most important players. However, New York was able to limit his overall impact during the series.
Karl-Anthony Towns vs Cavaliers
Karl-Anthony Towns played a major role for New York, particularly on the glass.
He averaged 15.8 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game against Cleveland.
Towns was one of the Knicks’ most productive rebounders throughout the series.
He collected 48 rebounds in four games.
His shooting was also efficient. Towns made 54.3% of his field-goal attempts and shot 50% from three-point range across the series.
His size created difficult defensive assignments for Cleveland. The Cavaliers had to respect his ability to shoot from outside while also dealing with his rebounding presence.
Mikal Bridges vs Cavaliers
Mikal Bridges was another major contributor for New York.
Bridges averaged 18.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in the series.
He shot 57.4% from the field.
That efficiency stands out because Bridges was not simply scoring through volume. He converted a high percentage of his opportunities while also providing perimeter defense.
Game 3 was one of his best performances.
Bridges scored 22 points, grabbed six rebounds, recorded two assists, three steals, and two blocks.
He shot 11-of-15 from the field in that contest.
His two-way production helped New York maintain pressure on Cleveland’s guards and wings.
OG Anunoby Player Stats
OG Anunoby also delivered an important two-way performance.
He averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game in the series.
Anunoby shot 47.5% from the field and 36.8% from three-point range.
His defensive responsibilities were especially important. New York could use his size and strength against Cleveland’s perimeter players while still receiving scoring from him.
In Game 3, Anunoby scored 21 points and shot 6-of-10 from the field.
He also made all six of his free throws.
That performance showed how effectively he could contribute without needing the ball on every possession.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Knicks Match Player Stats Table
The following table summarizes the major player statistics from the four-game 2026 Eastern Conference Finals series.
| Player | Team | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donovan Mitchell | Cavaliers | 27.3 | 3.5 | 2.3 | 47.5% | 37.8% |
| Evan Mobley | Cavaliers | 17.0 | 8.3 | 3.0 | 49.1% | 28.6% |
| James Harden | Cavaliers | 16.0 | 4.8 | 3.0 | 38.9% | 17.9% |
| Jalen Brunson | Knicks | 25.5 | 3.3 | 7.8 | 48.7% | 18.2% |
| Mikal Bridges | Knicks | 18.5 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 57.4% | 28.6% |
| OG Anunoby | Knicks | 16.3 | 5.8 | 3.3 | 47.5% | 36.8% |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Knicks | 15.8 | 12.0 | 4.0 | 54.3% | 50.0% |
These numbers highlight an important difference between the teams.
Mitchell was the highest-scoring player in the series, but Brunson provided substantially more playmaking. Towns also created a major rebounding advantage for New York.
Who Was the Best Player in the Series?
Choosing the best player depends on the statistical category.
If scoring is the only measurement, Donovan Mitchell had the highest series average at 27.3 points per game.
However, Jalen Brunson had the stronger overall offensive impact for the winning team.
Brunson averaged 25.5 points and 7.8 assists. He also produced the series’ highest individual scoring performance with 38 points in Game 1.
His ability to create shots for teammates made him especially valuable.
Towns was arguably the most dominant rebounder. His 12.0 rebounds per game were the highest among the featured players.
Therefore, the answer changes depending on the criteria:
- Best scorer: Donovan Mitchell
- Best playmaker: Jalen Brunson
- Best rebounder: Karl-Anthony Towns
- Best two-way wing impact: Mikal Bridges or OG Anunoby
- Best interior contributor for Cleveland: Evan Mobley
Game 1 Player Stats
The first game set the tone for the series.
New York defeated Cleveland 115–104.
Brunson led all scorers with 38 points. He also recorded six assists and five rebounds.
Mikal Bridges added 18 points.
Towns contributed 13 points and 13 rebounds.
For Cleveland, Mitchell was one of the leading offensive players, while Evan Mobley provided a strong interior presence.
The Knicks’ ability to survive Cleveland’s scoring bursts was critical.
Game 2 Player Stats
Game 2 ended with another Knicks victory.
New York won 109–93.
The 16-point margin demonstrated the Knicks’ defensive control.
Cleveland struggled to maintain efficient offense, while New York continued receiving contributions from multiple players.
The game also demonstrated why looking only at a single player’s scoring average can be misleading.
New York’s collective performance was more important than one dominant scorer.
Game 3 Player Stats
Game 3 moved to Cleveland.
The Knicks still controlled the matchup and won 121–108.
Brunson scored 30 points.
Bridges added 22 points and shot 73.3% from the field.
Anunoby scored 21 points while shooting 60%.
Mobley led Cleveland with 24 points.
Allen also scored 17 points and shot 77.8% from the field.
Mitchell finished with 23 points.
The Knicks’ balanced shooting performance was one of the biggest stories of the game.
Game 4 Player Stats
Game 4 ended the series.
New York dominated Cleveland 130–93.
Mitchell scored 31 points for Cleveland, but the Knicks had too much depth and offensive efficiency.
The 37-point margin was the largest win of the series.
New York’s performance demonstrated how difficult it was for Cleveland to contain multiple scoring options at the same time.
The Knicks were able to close the series without losing a game.
What the Player Stats Tell Us
The Cleveland Cavaliers vs Knicks match player stats reveal several important trends.
First, Cleveland relied heavily on Mitchell’s scoring.
Second, New York had more balanced production.
Brunson handled much of the creation, while Bridges, Anunoby, and Towns provided efficient scoring and rebounding.
Third, rebounding was a major factor.
Towns averaged 12 rebounds per game. That gave New York an important advantage in controlling possessions.
Finally, efficiency mattered.
A player can score 25 points but still have limited offensive value if those points require a large number of shots.
New York received efficient scoring from several players during the series.
Cavaliers vs Knicks Head-to-Head History
The Cavaliers and Knicks have a long NBA history.
Their regular-season and playoff meetings have produced thousands of games and numerous memorable individual performances.
Across their historical head-to-head record, both teams have experienced periods of dominance.
The matchup became especially significant in recent years because both franchises developed competitive Eastern Conference rosters.
The 2026 playoff series added another major chapter to that rivalry.
Why Player Stats Matter in NBA Analysis
Box-score statistics provide a useful starting point for understanding an NBA game.
Points measure scoring.
Rebounds measure possession control.
Assists show playmaking.
Steals and blocks provide information about defensive activity.
Shooting percentages help explain efficiency.
Turnovers can reveal offensive problems.
Plus/minus gives another perspective on how the team performed while a player was on the court.
For that reason, a complete analysis should consider multiple statistics instead of focusing on points alone.
(FAQs) About Cleveland Cavaliers vs Knicks Match Player Stats
Who scored the most for the Cavaliers against the Knicks?
Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with an average of 27.3 points per game during the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals.
Who scored the most for the Knicks against Cleveland?
Jalen Brunson led New York with 25.5 points per game during the four-game series.
How many games did the Knicks win against the Cavaliers in the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals?
The Knicks won all four games and completed a 4–0 series sweep.
How many points did Jalen Brunson score in Game 1?
Brunson scored 38 points in Game 1.
How many rebounds did Karl-Anthony Towns average?
Towns averaged 12.0 rebounds per game during the series.
How did Evan Mobley perform against the Knicks?
Mobley averaged 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game across the four games.
Who had the most assists in the series?
Jalen Brunson led the featured players with 7.8 assists per game.
Who had the best three-point percentage?
Among the primary players listed, Karl-Anthony Towns posted the highest three-point percentage at 50.0% for the series.
Did Donovan Mitchell have a strong series?
Yes. Mitchell averaged 27.3 points per game and shot 47.5% from the field. However, Cleveland lost all four games.
Why did the Knicks win the series?
New York combined strong scoring, playmaking, rebounding, defensive pressure, and balanced production. Cleveland struggled to match that consistency across four games.
Final Thoughts: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Knicks Match Player Stats
The Cleveland Cavaliers vs Knicks match player stats show why basketball cannot be judged by scoring alone.
Donovan Mitchell was Cleveland’s leading scorer, while Jalen Brunson provided elite scoring and playmaking for New York. Evan Mobley supplied interior production for Cleveland, while Karl-Anthony Towns controlled the boards for the Knicks.
Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby also made major contributions through efficient scoring and two-way play.
The biggest statistical difference was balance. Cleveland depended heavily on its top offensive players, while New York consistently received meaningful contributions from several starters.
The 2026 Eastern Conference Finals ultimately ended in a 4–0 Knicks sweep. The player statistics help explain how New York achieved that result.
For fans tracking future meetings, these numbers provide a useful baseline. Comparing points, rebounds, assists, shooting efficiency, turnovers, and defensive production can offer a much clearer picture than the final score alone.
