All articles tagged with #eastern conference finals
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.
Mike Lupica argues the Knicks have transformed into the old, championship-caliber team, riding an 11-0 postseason run into the NBA Finals after a 130-93 Game 4 win over the Cavaliers, with Jalen Brunson leading a fast, efficient attack and New York fans finally believing they can win it all, echoing the franchise’s 1970s–1990s glory as they eye potential finals opponents like the Thunder or Spurs.
The Knicks are one win away from the NBA Finals after a 10-game postseason win streak and a league-record +234 point differential through 13 playoff games, with praise for owner Leon Rose, coach Mike Brown, and star Jalen Brunson as the face of the franchise; their potential Finals opponent will come from the West between the Thunder and Spurs. Meanwhile, the Mets dropped a 7-2 decision to the Reds as Nolan McLean allowed seven runs in 3.2 innings, the bullpen pitched 5.1 scoreless frames, and New York extended its four-game losing streak.
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.
New York swept Cleveland 130-93 to win the Eastern Conference finals and advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 points and 14 rebounds, Donovan Mitchell scored 31 for the Cavaliers, and Jalen Brunson was named the series MVP as the Knicks dominated the four-game series.
The New York Knicks dominated the Cavs in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, 126-86, sweeping the series to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, riding a historic 10-game playoff win streak and a balanced attack led by Brunson and Bridges.
New York carries a 3-0 lead into Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers in Cleveland. The preview emphasizes Jalen Brunson’s leadership and a cohesive Knicks attack that has overwhelmed Cleveland, which arrives exhausted after a grueling postseason. It predicts a Knicks win by about 15 points and a potential trip to the NBA Finals, while noting Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson’s efforts to rally a depleted supporting cast and salvage the series. Game details: 8 PM ET, ESPN, at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
New York has rattled off 10 straight playoff wins, swept Philadelphia, and holds a 3–0 edge over Cleveland in the Eastern Conference finals, putting the franchise on the doorstep of its first NBA Finals since 1999. If they win again, they’ll push to 11 straight, a mark historically associated with reaching the Finals, though past 11-game streaks have had varied outcomes.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson, in the midst of a 3-0 Eastern Conference Finals deficit to the Knicks, claimed—with a straight face—that analytically Cleveland has 'won two out of the three' games based on expected score, a remark critics viewed as oddly optimistic given the series standing.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce sat courtside for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals at Rocket Arena, where the Cavaliers lost to the Knicks 121-108 and trailed the series 3-0; Kelce was animated while Swift covered her mouth in mock shock, continuing their high-profile presence at Cavs games.
Mikal Bridges has emerged as the Knicks’ most impactful player in the Eastern Conference finals, overcoming early jitters to help New York beat the Cavaliers 121-108 in Game 3 in Cleveland (May 23, 2026), with Jalen Brunson still the team’s best overall.
The Knicks opened a 3-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals with a 121-108 win over the Cavaliers in Game 3, as Jalen Brunson scored 30 on 56% shooting while New York forced 16 turnovers and recorded 10 steals and 4 blocks. Evan Mobley led Cleveland with 24 points and Donovan Mitchell had 23; Mikal Bridges added 22, and Karl-Anthony Towns (13) and Josh Hart (12) contributed, with Landry Shamet drilling three straight fourth-quarter threes to push the lead to 105-91. The Knicks can clinch the series in Game 4 Monday in Cleveland.
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.
Hart scored a playoff career-high 26 and the Knicks opened the second half with an 18-0 run to pull away for a 109-93 win over Cleveland, taking a 2-0 series lead as Brunson (19 points, 14 assists) and Towns (18) provided support and Mitchell paced the Cavaliers with 26.