Knicks Sweep Cavaliers 130-93 to Reach First NBA Finals Since 1999/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The New York Knicks advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 after crushing the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 to complete a four-game sweep. Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson powered New York’s dominant performance in Cleveland. The Knicks now await the winner of the Western Conference finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.
Knicks NBA Finals Quick Looks
- Knicks reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
- New York swept Cleveland 4-0 in the Eastern Conference finals.
- Karl-Anthony Towns posted 19 points and 14 rebounds.
- Jalen Brunson earned Eastern Conference Finals MVP honors.
- Knicks won all playoff clinching games by at least 30 points.
- Landry Shamet hit key three-pointers off the bench.
- New York dominated fast-break and second-chance points.
- Spike Lee and Timothée Chalamet attended the game.
- Mike Brown reached the Finals in his first Knicks season.
- NBA Finals begin June 3.
Knicks Return to the NBA Finals After 27 Years
The New York Knicks are heading back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 after dismantling the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 Monday night to complete a dominant four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference finals.
New York overwhelmed Cleveland from the second quarter onward, turning the game into another playoff blowout during one of the most dominant postseason runs in franchise history.
Karl-Anthony Towns Leads Balanced Attack
Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while OG Anunoby added 17 points.
Bench guard Landry Shamet scored 16 points, continuing his remarkable outside shooting during the series.
Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson each contributed 15 points.
“I feel like the word ‘hope’ has been gone from the New York Knicks name for a long time and for me to be part of this team that revives hope is something special,” Towns said.
Knicks Dominate Every Area of the Game
New York controlled the game physically and in transition from start to finish.
The Knicks outscored Cleveland:
- 32-5 in second-chance points
- 33-9 in fast-break points
Coach Mike Brown praised his team’s pace and aggression.
“Our guys played great. You’re in the conference finals and score 65 points off of offensive rebounds and fast break points. I don’t know if I’ve seen that at this point of the year. We wanted to push the pace,” Brown said.
Brunson Named Eastern Conference Finals MVP
Brunson earned series MVP honors after averaging 25.5 points and 7.8 assists across the four games.
The Knicks star once again orchestrated New York’s offense with efficiency and composure, helping fuel the franchise’s deepest playoff run in decades.
Cavaliers Overwhelmed by Knicks Momentum
Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points for Clevelandbut the Cavaliers never recovered after New York seized control late in the first quarter.
The Cavaliers were swept in a postseason series for the first time since the 2018 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.
Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson credited New York’s level of play.
“They’re playing better basketball. You got to give them credit. They’re on a heater,” Atkinson said.
Knicks Continue Historic Playoff Run
The Knicks became only the fourth NBA team ever to record an 11-game postseason winning streak.
Their average margin of victory during the streak is an astonishing 23.7 points.
New York has now won all three of its playoff-clinching games by at least 30 points:
- Beat Atlanta by 51
- Defeated Philadelphia by 30
- Crushed Cleveland by 37
Celebrity Fans Help Turn Cleveland Into Madison Square Garden Midwest
Knicks fans heavily outnumbered Cavaliers supporters inside the arena.
Celebrity fans in attendance included:
- Spike Lee
- Tracy Morgan
- Timothée Chalamet
- Kylie Jenner
Late in the fourth quarter, Knicks fans loudly chanted:
“Knicks in four!”
The Knicks hired Mike Brown before the season after parting ways with former coach Tom Thibodeau despite reaching last year’s Eastern Conference finals.
Brown now becomes the 15th coach since the NBA-ABA merger to reach the Finals in his first season with a new team.
This marks Brown’s second NBA Finals appearance as a head coach. His first came with Cleveland in 2007.
Finals Matchup Still Undecided
New York will face either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals.
That Western Conference series is tied 2-2, with Game 5 scheduled Tuesday in Oklahoma City.
The NBA Finals begin June 3.
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