Mike Brown said it was "no secret" the New York Knicks had targeted James Harden during their comeback against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Knicks forged an extraordinary comeback to win 115-104 in overtime in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.

A game-changing shift began when Jalen Brunson began going at veteran campaigner Harden.

"You've got to do what the game dictates," Brown said.

"They were doing the same thing with Jalen. So we said two can play that game.

"It was no secret: We were attacking Harden.

"Just like we have to figure out different ways to guard Harden and [Donovan] Mitchell, they have to find ways to guard Jalen.

"We played Houston in the playoffs. We counted Harden's dribbles.

"He's dribbling 1,000 times a game. [Kevin Durant] was at 300 or right below, so keep picking him up at full speed.

"Cleveland's guards, they played 50% more minutes than our guards. Could that take a toll? We told our guys it could take a toll, so stay with it. You hope telling your guys it gives a little bit of a psychological advantage."

The @nyknicks ended tonight's game on a 44-11 run.

No other NBA team in the last 20 years has scored at least 44 of the game's final 55 points (reg or post). pic.twitter.com/tz06fXYxdt

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) May 20, 2026

Across the final quarter and in OT, the Knicks poured in 44 points, conceding just 11 in return.

No other NBA team in the last 20 years has scored at least 44 of the game's final 55 points.

In a timeout prior to the comeback, Brunson was rallying his teammates.

"Keep fighting, keep chipping away. We're not going to get it back in one possession," Brunson said.

"Most importantly, sticking together. No matter how that game finished, habits translate to the next game. We're just doing; we're not giving up. We don't want to give up, ever, so having faith in each other."