The Knick game in Cleveland started at 8pm, and was at the half — with NY down 60-54 — when President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address started at 9pm. Many Knick fans switched over to that — and those that did were spared a HORRENDOUS rest of game by the Knicks — as they shot 3-24 in the 3rd quarter (1-12 from 3) and got Ripped by the Cavaliers, 109-94 on a Wednesday night.
Trump meanwhile ‘threw down’ with an Amazing speech — truthful, optimistic, logical, powerful, and at times funny — speaking for almost 2 hours. He had more energy than many on the Knicks did in the 2nd half — except Mitchell Robinson — a big Trump fan, who also had a big night — with 11 pts on 5-6 shooting, 16 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 19 minutes.
It seemed fitting because Robinson was the only Knick — and maybe only NBA player — courageous enough to publicly (on his Instagram account) send up prayers for Trump when he was almost assassinated on July 13, 2024.
Jalen Brunson (6-19 for 20 pts), Mikal Bridges (6-17 for 18 pts, OG Anunoby (2-9 for 5 pts) and Landry Shamet (1-5 for 2 pts) were doing most of the missing. Karl-Anthony Towns actually hit every shot he took — but only took 5 shots — scoring 14 pts on 5-5 shooting (1-1 from 3, 4-5 in free throws). KAT played the first 6 minutes of the horrible 3rd quarter and didn’t take a shot.
Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 23 pts — also on poor shooting (5-18, 2-8 from 3), while James Harden had 20 pts (on 8-18 shooting, 4-7 from 3). Jarrett Allen had 19 pts on 7-8 shooting and 10 rebounds in 29 minutes while Evan Mobley had 12 pts on 4-7 shooting in 24 minutes.
NY falls to 37-22, and Cleveland improves to 37-22 — tying them for 3rd place in the Eastern Conference.
1. Cleveland Goes Up by 12 with 10-2 Run at End of 1st Into 2nd
The game was close early, Cleveland getting out to a slight lead but NY right there with buckets by KAT, Mikal Bridges, Brunson and crew.
Mikal Bridges to the basket 💪 pic.twitter.com/SAHFcNxIE1
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) February 25, 2026
Cleveland were playing in their Inner City uniforms — colored orange denoting the beautiful sunsets of Cleveland, and the court painted to reflect autumn leaves. THE LAND was imprinted on the front of the Cleveland jersey and at half court — to embody the beauty of the land of Cleveland, and the Cleveland area Metro Park system — the oldest park system in the US.
It was 27-24 Cleveland with 1:48 left in the 1st quarter when Cleveland went on an 8-2 run to end the period — fueled by two Dean Wade 3’s — to take a 9-pt lead.
Wade hit another 3 to start the 2nd quarter and Cleveland was up by 12 at 38-26.
2. Cleveland Up by 6 at the Half
NY pushed back with a bucket inside and a drive-and-1 by Karl-Anthony Towns, and a bucket by Jose Alvarado to pull within 6.
Mitchell Robinson came in midway thru the 2nd quarter and started dominating inside as he always does against Jarret Allen, Evan Mobley and the Cavs.
Mitch scored 6 straight points for NY — hitting a rare 5-foot jumper off a pass from KAT, slam-dunking an alley-oop a pass from Alvarado, then grabbing an offensive rebound and scoring inside to pull NY within 48-41 with 5:17 left in the half.
Flight 23 cleared for takeoff ✈️
Mitch throws it down! pic.twitter.com/UgOlsB4Kex
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) February 25, 2026
Robinson then grabbed an offensive rebound next time down, and fed Brunson who fed OG Anunoby for a dunk.
Mitchell Robinson dominates the offensive glass 💪 pic.twitter.com/Rn0Qbjbb86
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) February 25, 2026
Brunson then hit a drive-and-1, and NY was within 48-46 with 4 minutes left. A 3 by KAT a minute later made it 50-49 Cleveland.
It would be NY’s last hurrah.
Cleveland scored 8 straight points — a bucket by James Harden, consecutive buckets by Jarrett Allen, and free throws by Donovan Mitchell put them up 58-49.
Brunson and Bridges came back with buckets but Cleveland led 60-54 at the half.
3. President Trump’s State of Union Starts
And that is when President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address started — at 9pm EST — and many Knick fans turned that on.
Trump would give an Amazing speech that you couldn’t turn off — and spoke for almost 2 hours — finishing 10 minutes before 11pm. Knick fans checking the boxscore would see the Knicks get blitzed in the 3rd — falling 20 pts behind and staying there.
4. Knicks Shoot 3-24 in 3rd — Outscored 23-11
The Knicks got shredded because they came out in the 3rd and missed and missed and missed — shooting 3-24 in the period and getting out-scored 23-11.
NY was down 66-55 early in the 3rd when Mikal Bridges missed a 10-foot pullup, then next time down missed a layup, got his own rebound and missed the tip-in.
On another series — Cleveland was up 71-62 when OG missed a 3, next time down Bridges missed a 3, and next time down Josh Hart missed a 3.
Cleveland was missing too and only had a 76-65 lead with 3:47 left after a Mitchell Robinson offensive rebound and tip in.
But in the last 3:35, Jaylon Tyson hit a 3, Dean Wade put in an offensive rebound, then hit a 5-foot turnaround for an 18-pt Cleveland lead heading into the 4th.
5. Cleveland Leads by 20 throughout 4th
Cleveland maintained control throughout the 4th — maintaining a 16- to 20-pt lead.
Tyler Kolek, Mohamed Diawara and the 3rd team came in for the final few minutes and got some buckets to pull NY within 14 for the final score respectable.
The Boxscore
https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401810690
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