Cleveland Cavaliers: ZERO players on official injury report. Confirmed across: Fear The Sword, May 21, College Sports Network, May 21, ClutchPoints, May 21, and cleveland.com ("No injuries reported by either team as of 3:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 21"). Larry Nance Jr. (previously questionable with illness in G1) no longer listed — full roster available.
Per Fear The Sword and Heavy.com: PG: James Harden | SG: Donovan Mitchell | SF/PF: Dean Wade | PF: Evan Mobley | C: Jarrett Allen
Note on Max Strus: Earlier reports listed Strus in the starting five; the confirmed lineup is Dean Wade starting. Strus appears to be in the rotation off the bench.
Atkinson will NOT bench Harden: Despite G1 struggles (5-of-16, 6 TOs), Atkinson publicly stated: "I trust him. Smart, great hands. I didn't think about [taking him out]." (Last Word on Basketball, May 21)
CLE played Game 1 on May 19 (OT). One day of rest between games; both teams in the same position. Still at MSG — no travel. This rest disadvantage symmetry slightly reduces CLE's fatigue gap disadvantage relative to G1 line pricing.
The Harden-Brunson Problem — By the Numbers: Per NBA.com's John Schuhmann, Brunson was the screener's defender on 24 ball-screens involving Harden in G1, with 20 of those in the final 8 minutes + OT. The Knicks scored 1.39 points per chance (32 points on 23 possessions) in those situations — rising to 1.61 pts/possession (29 pts on 18) when it led directly to a shot, TO, or foul. Atkinson tried switching to a "Sam Merrill ice" coverage late but Brunson read it correctly. There is no clean solution: switching exposes Harden one-on-one; doubling Brunson creates open kick-outs. Atkinson's stated plan is to keep Harden starting and attempt better recovery discipline.
The Landry Shamet Variable: The NBA.com breakdown reveals the Knicks scored 44 pts on 25 possessions (1.76 pts/possession) with Shamet alongside the four Knick starters — versus just 28 pts on 35 possessions (0.80 pts/possession) with all five Knick starters. Shamet going 3-of-3 from 3 in G1 forced CLE's bigs out of the paint, breaking Allen's ability to sag off Hart. Whether Tom Thibodeau extends Shamet's minutes in G2 is a key variable for CLE's defensive gameplan.
Dean Wade on Brunson — Extended Role Expected: With Wade confirmed as a starter, his primary defensive assignment on Brunson is the anchor of CLE's scheme. When Wade/Mobley matched up against the Brunson-Towns pick-and-roll, the Knicks scored just 0.80 pts/possession. Wade's exit in G1's fourth quarter directly preceded Brunson's 17-point eruption. Extended Wade minutes in G2 is CLE's clearest defensive lever.
Mobley's Offensive Role Must Expand: Per NBA.com, only 6 of Mobley's 16 field-goal attempts in G1 came in the paint, with just 2 free-throw attempts. The Knicks' willingness to sag off Mobley perimeter created open corners but suppressed his rim production. Atkinson needs Mobley to demand more paint touches — particularly on the Brunson-Towns action when the Knicks commit two defenders to ball-handlers.
Mitchell's Mindset — Defiant and Motivated: Mitchell told ESPN on Wednesday: "It has been worth it. I would do it again in a heartbeat with this group… This group is great because we didn't just come here to be like, 'Hey! [We made it].' You know what I'm saying? But we built to that point." (ClutchPoints, May 21) Mitchell finished G1 with 29 pts, 6 steals, 5 rebounds, 3 assists — all his production came in Q1-Q3. His scoring drought in Q4+OT (2-of-9, per prior entry) remains the key execution question.
Official report: ZERO players listed for the Knicks — confirmed by WNCO/Fox Sports and Yahoo Sports (May 21). OG Anunoby carries no designation after being upgraded from PROBABLE (hamstring) for Game 1. All rotation players active.
Anunoby nuance (NEW — post-Game 1 concern): Despite the clean injury report, Heavy.com (May 21) reports that Anunoby was spotted on the Knicks bench with his right thigh/leg still wrapped during Game 1, captured by NY Daily News reporter Kristian Winfield on X. He played 34 minutes, scored 13 pts (2-of-9 FG, 1-of-6 3PT) with clear shooting rust but was dominant defensively (+15, 8-of-10 FT, 5 reb). The wrap "shows there is still something being controlled," per Heavy.com. He holds no designation for Game 2, but shooting efficiency and minutes limitations remain watch items. His 9 OT points in Game 1 came predominantly at the line. Full health/efficiency is not confirmed despite the clean report — this is a market inefficiency if any book is pricing him as 100% offensive threat (Heavy.com, May 21).
Coach Mike Brown (NEW): Brown revealed post-Game 1 that he tweaked his calf during the fourth-quarter chaos while trying to signal a timeout. He confirmed "It's alright, I'm good to go" and joked "I would've blown my Achilles out if I didn't have on my PF Flyers." No impact on team operations (Heavy.com, May 21).
Confirmed starters (per Yahoo Sports/Posting & Toasting, May 21): Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, Towns, Robinson.
Sources: (OddsShark, May 21); (VegasInsider, May 21); (SportsbookWire/USA Today, May 21)
NYK 115, CLE 104 (OT) — Knicks trailed by 22 with 7:52 left, outscored Cavs 44-11 the rest of the way. Brunson: 38 pts (7-of-8 in Q4/OT when Harden was primary defender), 5 reb, 6 ast, 3 stl. Bridges: 18 pts (7-of-11 FG). Anunoby: 13 pts (2-of-9 FG, 8-of-10 FT), +15, 34 min. Landry Shamet: 3-of-3 from three off bench. Mitchell: 29 pts, 6 stl. Mobley: 15 pts, 14 reb. Harden: 15 pts, 6 TO, 5 FG. CLE shot 22% in final 7:52 + OT; Cavs scored 0 in OT. NYK leads series 1-0. (SportsbookWire/USA Today; OddsShark)
Knicks' structural edges:
Knicks' vulnerabilities: