Knicks clinch Finals berth with rout of Cavaliers, first since 1999

The New York Knicks buried the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 to sweep the Eastern Conference finals and reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. Karl-Anthony Towns posted 19 points and 14 rebounds, Landry Shamet chipped in 16 off the bench, and Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges each scored 15 as New York pulled away early and rested its starters late. Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 31 points, but the Cavaliers were swept in a postseason series for the first time since 2018. New York will face either the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs in the Finals, which begin June 3, in what would be coach Mike Brown’s second Finals appearance.