TITLE: Knicks crush Cavaliers, clinch first NBA Finals trip since 1999
SLUG: knicks-sweep-cavaliers-reach-first-finals-since-1999
CONTENT:
CLEVELAND — The New York Knicks are headed back to the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years after overwhelming the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 on Monday night and finishing a four-game sweep of the Eastern Conference finals.
Karl-Anthony Towns produced 19 points and 14 rebounds, OG Anunoby supplied 17 points, and reserve guard Landry Shamet added 16. Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson scored 15 apiece as New York extended its postseason winning streak to 11 games, the fourth such run of at least that length in league history.
Brunson, who averaged 25.5 points and 7.8 assists in the series, was voted Eastern Conference finals MVP.
Fast start turns into rout
Cleveland opened with an 8-2 burst and still led 17-14 when the Knicks seized control. A 9-0 spurt gave New York the edge, and a few minutes later a 20-0 run blew the game open. During that stretch the Cavaliers missed nine straight shots and turned the ball over four times, while Shamet knocked down two of his four three-pointers. He finished the series 11-for-12 from beyond the arc.
The Knicks were ahead 68-49 at halftime and pushed the margin to 45 in the fourth quarter before coach Mike Brown emptied his bench with 7:47 remaining. Knicks fans—joined by Spike Lee, Tracy Morgan, actor Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner—chanted “Knicks in four” as the starters exited.
Dominance on the margins
New York outscored Cleveland 32-5 in second-chance opportunities and 33-9 on the fast break. “You’re in the conference finals and get 65 points off offensive rebounds and transition—I’m not sure I’ve seen that this time of year,” Brown said.
Historical context
The sweep secures New York’s third appearance in the Finals since its last championship in 1973. The club fell to Houston in 1994 and to San Antonio in 1999. Franchise greats Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Patrick Ewing presented the Bob Cousy Trophy on the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse floor.
Brown, hired last offseason after the Knicks parted with Tom Thibodeau, becomes the 15th coach since the 1976 merger to reach the Finals in his first season with a new team. His only previous trip came with Cleveland in 2007.
Up next
New York awaits the winner of the Western Conference finals between the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, tied 2-2 with Game 5 Tuesday in Oklahoma City. The Thunder or Spurs will own home-court advantage when the Finals open June 3.
Cleveland’s perspective
Donovan Mitchell poured in 31 points for the Cavaliers, who were swept for the first time since the 2018 Finals. Kenny Atkinson credited the Knicks’ torrid play, while James Harden, limited to 12 points on 2-of-8 shooting, lamented missed chances and a blown 22-point fourth-quarter lead in Game 1.
New York has won its three series-clinching games by at least 30 points, including a 51-point win over Atlanta in the first round and a 30-point victory against Philadelphia in the conference semifinals.
Source: ESPN.com
