The New York Knicks are headed to the NBA Finals.
Behind another dominant performance on both ends of the floor, the Knicks crushed the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday night, completing a stunning four-game sweep and punching their ticket to the franchise’s first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.
From the opening tip, New York looked determined to end the series quickly. The Knicks pushed the pace offensively, attacked Cleveland’s defense relentlessly, and turned the game into a rout before halftime. By the third quarter, the Cavaliers had no answers for New York’s energy, ball movement, or physicality.
The Knicks jumped on the Cavaliers early, building a 20-point lead by the second quarter and effectively slammed the door on the competitive portion of Game 4. New York did not need a huge game for Jalen Brunson, as he put up 15 points and 5 rebounds in his 31 minutes of action.
“The belief the organization has in me has been amazing, It’s something I don’t take for granted. It’s something not a lot of people get the opportunity to do. It’s an honor to be here, in this city with my teammates. These guys have my back.”
Jalen Brunson after game 4
The Knicks also received major contributions from their supporting cast- Karl-Anthony Towns led NY with 19 points and 14 rebounds, OG Anunoby added 17, and Mikal Bridges scored 15 points of his own. Off the Knick bench Landry Shamet and Deuce McBride contributed 16 and 11 points, respectively.
For Cleveland, the loss marked a disappointing end to what had been a promising season. The Cavaliers entered the Eastern Conference Finals with hopes of reaching their first NBA Finals since 2018, but the Knicks proved to be an insurmountable obstacle for Cleveland.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with 31 points on 9-of 18 from the floor and was the only Cleveland starter to shoot 50% or better from the field. Evan Mobley added 15 points and 7 boards and James Harden, in his usual postseason mode, struggled to 12 points on just 2-8 from the field.
The series showcased just how complete this Knicks team has become. After years of rebuilding and postseason disappointments, New York now finds itself four wins away from an NBA championship.
The Knicks will now await the winner of the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, a series currently tied at 2-2.
