Cavaliers blow 17-point lead in fourth quarter, lose 126-124 to Knicks at Madison Square Garden

NEW YORK —The Cavaliers let one get away Thursday afternoon, something that has happened often during a struggling season thus far. Jalen Brunson scored 34 points, reserve Jordan Clarkson, a former Cavalier, had 25 and the New York Knicks came from 17 down in the fourth quarter to beat the Cavs 126-124 at Madison Square Garden and win on Christmas Day for the third straight year. Donovan Mitchell had 34 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Darius Garland added 20 points and 10 assists, but the Cavaliers blew their chance at a third straight win. Evan Mobley finished with 14 points and nine rebounds after missing five games with a strained left calf. Reserves Tyler Kolek and Mitchell Robinson sparked the comeback after the Cavaliers led 103-86 early in the final period. Kolek had 16 points and nine assists, and had fans chanting his name after a late block on Donovan Mitchell that originally was called a foul but was overturned on review. Robinson hustled after offensive rebounds to keep possessions alive and finished with 13 boards. Brunson made the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:05 remaining, after he, Kolek and Clarkson all hit from behind the arc in a 13-2 run that cut Cleveland's 12-point lead to 111-110. The Cavs raced to an 18-3 lead behind 10 points from Mitchell and led 38-23 after one quarter. But Clarkson opened the second with consecutive 3-pointers, and after a Cavs 3-pointer, the Knicks ripped off an 18-0 burst to take a 47-41 lead. The Knicks made 12 of their first 14 shots in the second before Mobley had Cleveland's final four baskets as New York took a 60-58 edge into the break. Cleveland quickly regained control in the third. Mitchell slammed down a lob pass that Garland threw from beyond halfcourt to cap a 10-3 burst to open the period, and Mitchell later hit a 3-pointer to cap an 18-4 spurt that turned a 71-all tie into an 89-75 advantage for the Cavs. Up next Cavaliers: Visit Houston on Saturday. Knicks: Visit Atlanta on Saturday.