The New York Knicks booked their place in the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years after a dominant 130-93 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. With this result, they completed a 4-0 sweep in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Final and stretched their club-record playoff winning run to 11 straight games.
The franchise, which last reached the championship series in 1999 when they were defeated 4-1 by the San Antonio Spurs, will now return to the biggest stage in the league for only the third time in their history, having previously won titles in 1970 and 1973.
Their current momentum keeps them unbeaten in this postseason stretch, underlining a strong run that has carried them all the way through the conference playoffs without dropping a game in the final round.
Brunson and Towns lead decisive team effort
Karl-Anthony Towns was the top scorer for New York, finishing with 19 points alongside 14 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson contributed 15 points and was named the series’ most valuable player.
Brunson reflected on the achievement by emphasizing the collective effort, saying the group’s trust and support had been central to his performance and that the squad’s unity across all levels had been key. He also highlighted how the environment within the team allowed him to play freely and confidently.
Landry Shamet also played a notable role, adding 16 points and converting all four of his attempts from beyond the arc. He stressed that the group remained focused on what still lies ahead rather than celebrating the series win too heavily.
Early surge sets tone for comfortable victory
The Knicks quickly established control of the contest, finishing the opening quarter with an 8-0 burst before opening the second period with another 12 unanswered points. That momentum pushed them into a commanding 50-26 advantage.
Shamet’s third successful three-point shot extended the gap further to 61-32, and from that point the Knicks maintained full control of the matchup. Their intensity continued after halftime, with Cleveland struggling to cope as turnovers mounted to 22 over the course of the game.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers in scoring with 31 points, but his efforts were not enough to shift the balance of the contest as New York sustained their dominance throughout.
Focus turns to NBA finals showdown ahead
Attention now moves to the upcoming NBA Finals, where the Knicks will meet either the defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs. That Western Conference Final remains tied at 2-2, with game five scheduled for Tuesday night (01:30 BST Wednesday).
Within the Knicks camp, players have stressed that their focus remains on the broader objective rather than recent success, with Shamet noting that the team understands the challenge ahead and the importance of maintaining momentum.
If New York were to continue their unbeaten playoff run through the Finals and complete a sweep, they would match the NBA record postseason winning streak of 15 games set by the Golden State Warriors in 2017.