The Knicks big man said he was pleased he had enough stamina for one last jump after not playing since March 29 due to an injured left ankle.
Josh Hart wore a Jalen Brunson T-shirt to the postgame news conference while Julius Randle joked about being out of shape. Knicks might rest.
After a rocky start, New York's season looks brighter. Brunson overcame foul problems and scored 21 of his 27 points in the second half
Randle returned from an ankle injury to add 19 and a crucial final rebound, and the Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 101-97 in Game 1 on Saturday night.
Brunson played nine minutes in the first half but hit three important shots down the line as the Knicks held off Cleveland's late charge spearheaded by All-Star Donovan Mitchell, who scored 38 points.
Brunson missed a pullup with nine seconds left, and Randle saved the Knicks with his 10th rebound, the team's 17th offensive board, which led to Quentin Grimes' two free throws to win.
“You can't say enough about Julius' huge rebound at the end,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “That rebound was crucial. Huge.”
Randle was pleased he had the stamina for one last jump after not playing since March 29 due to a sprained left ankle.