Knicks 119, Cavaliers 111 — OG, Brunson Headline Mike Brown's MSG Debut

The New York Knicks opened the 2025–26 season with a composed 119–111 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. New York maintained control for most of the night, withstanding a late surge from Donovan Mitchell and sealing the win through timely execution and balanced scoring. Jalen Brunson was steady as ever, while OG Anunoby's all-around performance anchored the team's defense and set the tone for Mike Brown's first regular-season game as head coach. Attendance: 19,812.

Key Performers (box score verified)

Knicks

• OG Anunoby: 24 PTS, 14 REB, 3 STL, 1 BLK (9–17 FG, 4–9 3PT)

• Jalen Brunson: 23 PTS, 5 AST, 4 REB (12–13 FT)

• Karl-Anthony Towns: 19 PTS, 11 REB, 2 AST

• Mikal Bridges: 16 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK

• Miles McBride: 15 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL (4–6 3PT

• Did Not Play: Mitchell Robinson (DNP – Coach's Decision) Josh Hart (Back Spasms)

Cavaliers

• Donovan Mitchell: 31 PTS, 5 AST

• Evan Mobley: 22 PTS, 8 REB

• Sam Merrill: 19 PTS (5 three-pointers)

Knick Of The Night!

Four Notables

1️⃣ OG Anunoby at the Small Forward Position

Recently, I've talked a lot about how both OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges are true small forwards—and this game perfectly illustrated that point. Anunoby was outstanding on the wing, using his length and instincts to deter passers and disrupt the Cavaliers' ball movement. His ability to anticipate plays and jump passing lanes gave the Knicks a real edge defensively. Offensively, he combined athletic drives to the rim with timely corner threes, keeping defenders honest and maintaining constant pressure on Cleveland's rotation. OG's complete two-way impact from the small-forward spot was one of the biggest reasons New York controlled this game from start to finish.

2️⃣ The Small Lineup That Worked

While I'm generally not a fan of the three-guard lineup featuring Jordan Clarkson, Jalen Brunson, Tyler Kolek, or Miles "Deuce" McBride, that group absolutely propelled the Knicks in the fourth quarter. They applied constant pressure on Cleveland's ball handlers, running a hybrid matchup zone that completely nullified Donovan Mitchell's effectiveness. McBride—who I believe is the best point-of-attack defender on this roster—essentially erased Mitchell down the stretch.

This alignment also allowed OG Anunoby to shift over and match up with Evan Mobley at the four, where he excelled defensively. Mobley opened the night hot with 16 points in the first quarter, but Anunoby's physicality and positioning slowed him down the rest of the way. What made this strategy work is Mike Brown's philosophy that everyone moves—no one stays locked into a single role. Because of that fluid system, the small lineup becomes more than a gimmick; it's a tactical approach that turns the Knicks into a chessboard of interchangeable, active defenders.

3️⃣ Towns Thrives at the Center Spot

While I understand that some fans feel Karl-Anthony Towns' defense can be a liability at the five—and therefore prefer him as a power forward—what many don't realize is that those same issues often resurface when he plays the four. A perfect example came in the first half, when Evan Mobley scored 16 points, much of it while matched up against Towns. Mobley used his quickness and ability to attack off the dribble to expose that mismatch—something OG Anunoby later contained far more effectively.

That said, Towns deserves credit for his defensive effort, especially in the fourth quarter, when he slid to the center spot as part of the small lineup that worked. The difference was spacing. Earlier in the game, there was a sequence where Towns drove for a layup and Jarrett Allen was already waiting for him under the rim—because Towns was playing power forward, and the paint was crowded. At the 5, that problem disappears. His shooting and face-up game stretch opposing bigs out of the lane, creating driving angles and forcing rotations. When Towns plays the five, he not only spaces the floor but also becomes a more dynamic offensive weapon, capable of attacking from multiple levels while giving the Knicks optimal balance.

4️⃣ Everybody, Everywhere

Honestly, I finally understand what Mike Brown has been trying to implement. It took the entire preseason and this first regular-season game to realize he's actually doing everything he's been saying in those press conferences. Everyone on the roster is being moved around—not just Towns and Yabusele.

What makes players like Towns and Yabusele's roles even more challenging is that they're learning multiple positions and responsibilities. In Brown's system, positions one through four are almost interchangeable. The center spot operates a bit differently, acting as a trailing role in transition—often initiating dribble handoffs and setting key screens near the top of the key to start the offense.

By rotating players across positions, the Knicks create constant unpredictability. It's difficult for opposing defenses to anticipate actions or matchups when players are shifting from the wing to the corner to the top of the arc within a single possession. That positional flexibility forces defenses to react rather than dictate, which makes the offense flow more smoothly and the team harder to scout. I love what Brown is building, and I can't wait to see the Knicks continue to capitalize on this system of movement and versatility throughout the season.

What It Means

Even with Robinson sitting out, the Knicks controlled the paint (+16 rebounds) and moved the ball efficiently. Anunoby emerged as the defensive anchor, Brunson as the steady closer, and Towns proved adaptable inside. For Mike Brown, this was a promising first look at how his system can blend pace, spacing, and defensive intensity.

What's Next

The Knicks continue their early-season homestand Friday, October 24, when they host the Boston Celtics in the Garden (per ESPN schedule).

Source: ESPN. Cavaliers vs. Knicks — Box Score (Game ID 401809234), attendance, and schedule. https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401809234