There are ordinary playoff games, and then there's the cataclysm that shook Madison Square Garden during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In a game that will instantly become legendary in New York basketball, the Knicks staged one of the greatest comebacks in playoff history. Down by 22 points with less than eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, New York snatched an unbelievable overtime victory (115-104) against the Cavaliers.

With 7 minutes and 52 seconds left in regulation, the scoreboard displayed a resounding 93-71 lead for the Cavs. Numb after nine days of rest since their sweep of Philadelphia, the Knicks were struggling to find their rhythm, shooting a dismal 4-for-23 from three-point range. It was at this precise moment that Jalen Brunson's 38-point onslaught hit Cleveland, sparking a blistering 18-1 run to force overtime, before New York completely suffocated their opponents in the extra period (starting the quarter with a 9-0 run). The Garden in New York, the world's most famous basketball arena, erupted in jubilation.

In the privacy of a locker room still buzzing with emotion, veteran Jordan Clarkson, invaluable during his 16 minutes on the court (+2, a timely three-pointer, and a key defensive block), offered his wise perspective on this historic comeback. Asked about this incredible return for a team that never stops believing and about his pride in the group's effort, the guard didn't hide his admiration: "Extremely proud. I think we have a resilient group, so it shows that we stay united and keep fighting."

The long nine-day break clearly took its toll on the New York players at the start of the game, a wait that Josh Hart publicly described as "torture." For Clarkson, this slow start wasn't solely due to a lack of rhythm, but rather to the tactical adjustment time needed to adapt to Cleveland's systems: "I don't think it was just rust. I think we were just trying to find our rhythm. A new opponent presents different challenges, so, you know, we were just trying to figure things out. It was probably one of our off nights shooting, but we found a way."

How do you go from a collective collapse to such a show of strength to snatch victory at the end of the game and in overtime? When asked what changed or triggered the turning point, the guard emphasizes the team's very DNA and the intensification of their efforts: "We just kept doing what we do. I think we doubled our efforts on that front, defensively, and offensively as well."

Now repositioned in a versatile role and veteran leader in New York, Clarkson took advantage of this moment of grace to offer advice to all the kids who dream of one day stepping onto NBA courts in such an atmosphere: "Just work. Block the doubters and keep going."

Despite the suffocating tension of Game 1 of the Conference Finals, the prevailing mood for the Knicks' number 00 after the game remained one of gratitude and pure joy at finally returning to competition: "Just the emotion of getting back to play. We missed it so much, we're happy to be able to start again."

With this hard-fought victory, New York takes the lead in the series. Brunson's brilliance is undeniable, but it's the culture of sacrifice and collective resilience that make these Knicks such a formidable opponent. See you Thursday night, again at the Garden, for a Game 2 that promises to be electrifying.

Exclusive report by Valeria Rubino