All articles tagged with #cleveland cavaliers
LeBron James, at 41, earned another All-Star nod and the Cavaliers made the East finals, but a playoff sweep left both sides frustrated and the window narrowing. The piece argues they may need one final reunion in Cleveland for a title run, with James as a co-star to Donovan Mitchell, but cap rules complicate a return—likely requiring a significant pay cut or a sign‑and‑trade under the second apron.
James Harden, about to turn 37, says he’ll do whatever it takes to win with the Cavaliers in 2026-27, including playing off the ball. After a midseason trade, he averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists in 26 regular-season games for Cleveland but struggled more in the East finals as the Cavs were swept. Harden reiterated his desire to stay with Cleveland, noting a 2026-27 $42.3 million player option (or an opt-out toward a two-year, roughly $56 million deal) and hoping for roster upgrades to maximize the team’s championship window while planning a full training camp.
After the Cavaliers were swept 4-0 by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, James Harden insists Cleveland was the better team and says he intends to return next season, while Donovan Mitchell commits to staying with the Cavs as the franchise analyzes what went wrong and plans for the offseason; Harden averaged 16.0 points, 3.0 assists and 4.3 turnovers on roughly 39% shooting and 18% from three in the series.
James Harden, after the Cavaliers were swept 4-0 by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, said he still believes Cleveland was the better team, though the series results and blowout losses don’t reflect that, pointing to shot-making and the Knicks’ dominance across the games.
Charles Barkley blasted the Cavaliers for a 'quit' effort in their elimination game against the Knicks, showing clips on Inside the NBA and saying they gave up as Cleveland lost 130-93 to end its season and send New York to the NBA Finals.
Stephen A. Smith criticized Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson for boasting that Cleveland had won two of the three games analytically in the Eastern Conference finals against the Knicks, calling the remark egregious and warning it could cost him his job if the Cavs are swept. With Cleveland down 0-3, Atkinson’s emphasis on the expected-score metric has sparked debate as the team fights to avoid elimination in Game 4.
Knicks’ famous fans packed Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals despite the Cavaliers enforcing rules against reselling first-row seats, with Fat Joe’s courtside tickets pulled even as Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner attended. Other stars such as Tracy Morgan, Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, and Knicks legends were also present, and Ewing/Frazier helped present the MVP trophy to Jalen Brunson as the Knicks pursued a potential playoff sweep.
The Knicks crushed the Cavaliers 130-93 in an elimination game to advance to the NBA Finals, building a 68-49 halftime lead and cruising the rest of the way. Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 31 points, but James Harden scored 12 on 2-for-8 with five turnovers as the Cavs totaled 22 turnovers and were outrebounded 60-33. Social media users trolled Cleveland, and Charles Barkley labeled the Cavs as the definition of quit as the team heads into the offseason.
Victor Wembanyama scored 33 and fueled a 102-83 Spurs win to knot the West Finals at 2-2, while the Knicks ride a 10-game playoff surge and a Bridges-fueled offense to a 3-0 lead on the Cavaliers, putting New York on the cusp of its first NBA Finals appearance since 1999; All-NBA teams were also announced.
LeBron James shouted out Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce on Instagram from courtside as the Cavaliers lost 121-108 to the Knicks in Game 3, falling behind 3-0 in the Eastern Conference finals. Kelce wore the LeBron 7 MVP colorway, and Swift appeared amused as Kelce’s beer-chugging moment drew cheers from the crowd; New York maintained control of the series and was one win from the NBA Finals.
In Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Cleveland bottled up Jalen Brunson and dared Josh Hart to shoot, a gamble that backfired as Hart started cold but erupted for 5-of-11 from three and a playoff‑career-high 26 points (helping New York to a 109-93 win) after an 18‑0 third‑quarter run.
The Knicks rolled to a 109-93 win over the Cavaliers to take a 2-0 lead in the East Finals, with all five Knicks starters scoring at least 18 and Josh Hart pouring in a playoff-career-high 26 while Jalen Brunson dished 14 assists and didn’t force his own scoring. An 18-0 third-quarter run helped seal the game as Cleveland struggled from deep and New York’s paint-focused defense limited Cavs’ looks, setting up a potential Finals push for the Knicks.
The Cavaliers squander a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter, allowing the Knicks to force overtime and win 115-104 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. Postgame, Charles Barkley blasted Cleveland on Inside the NBA, calling the effort a 'damn choke job' and criticizing the late-game execution as the crowd cheered in Madison Square Garden.
The Cavaliers led by 22 with 7:52 left in regulation but were outscored by the Knicks in the final minutes, falling 115-104 in overtime in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals at Madison Square Garden. Coach Kenny Atkinson credited a bit of luck and late, tough Knicks shots as a factor, while noting fatigue and stagnant offense as Cavaliers issues after three strong quarters. Jalen Brunson took over late for New York, and Mikal Bridges’ late threes helped seal the comeback.
The Knicks erased a 22-point deficit in the fourth, then outscored Cleveland 14–3 in overtime to complete a 44–11 run and force a dramatic playoff win. Jalen Brunson carried the rally, scoring 15 of New York's 30 points in the fourth, while James Harden’s defense (and late-game miscues by Cleveland) helped fuel the surge. Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson was criticized for late timeouts and defensive switches that failed to slow Brunson; Donovan Mitchell; who was strong early, faded in the fourth. The comeback stands as the Knicks' biggest playoff triumph and a humbling setback for Cleveland as the series moves forward.