All articles tagged with #nba playoffs 2026
Knicks guard Josh Hart says the Spurs celebrated their Western Conference Finals win as if they’d already clinched a title, signaling overconfidence that Knicks observed and countered with a steady, businesslike approach en route to winning the NBA Finals in five games.
Iman Shumpert skipped a planned ESPN Hoop Collective appearance to celebrate outside Madison Square Garden with Knicks fans after the Knicks’ 107-106 Game 4 comeback over the Spurs, helping New York take a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals.
Knicks coach Mike Brown returns to San Antonio, where he spent years under Gregg Popovich, to lead New York in the NBA Finals against his former mentor’s Spurs, stressing that personal ties won’t soften the goal of winning his first championship as a head coach.
OKC’s off-season began with a show of support for Chet Holmgren after a Game 7 loss to the Spurs in the West Finals. Holmgren posted a breakout season (career highs around 17.1 PPG and 8.9 RPG) and earned All-NBA and All-Defensive honors while teammates, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, stressed that “We need Chet.” The Spurs’ victory over Holmgren’s Thunder, highlighted by a dominant Wembanyama run, signals a budding West rivalry and a moment for OKC to regroup as they look to build around Holmgren next season.
Knicks coach Mike Brown must adjust to Mitchell Robinson’s broken right pinky, testing his 'controllables' mindset as he reshapes rotations while the team maintains playoff momentum, aided by back-to-back series sweeps in the postseason.
Mitchell Robinson’s broken right pinky remains a mystery, as officials say the injury happened off the court and not in a game or the Thursday practice; after a minor procedure, he hopes to be ready for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, though coach Mike Brown would not commit to his availability.
Knicks president Leon Rose cried in the stands as New York swept the Cavaliers to reach the NBA Finals, capping a 2020-overhaul that included Jalen Brunson's signing, high-profile trades and a coaching/bench revamp—firing Thibodeau and hiring Mike Brown—leaving the Knicks four wins from their first title since 1973 and awaiting the Western Conference winner (Thunder vs. Spurs).
Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon says she could be proven wrong about Jalen Brunson being a “1A dude,” reaffirming that Brunson has proven to be a hell of a player as the Knicks advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years, with Brunson posting strong postseason numbers and delivering key performances in the conference finals.
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.
Karl-Anthony Towns starred in 26 minutes to power the Knicks to a 130-93 Game 4 win over the Cavaliers, with OG Anunoby delivering two bone-rusting dunks and Mikal Bridges adding 25 points; James Harden was a mess again, finishing with 12 points on 2-for-8 shooting, five turnovers and a minus-55 rating. New York outscored Cleveland by 25 during Towns’ time on the floor and extended their road-elimination edge to 118 points this postseason.
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 New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-108 in Game 3, dominating the game from start to finish and wearing down the Cavaliers, signaling the Knicks’ current form could be a threat to anyone in the playoffs.
Landry Shamet hit a miraculous overtime 3 from the right corner, after a ricochet sequence off the far rim to the backboard and into the net, capping the Knicks’ historic Game 1 comeback over the Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden.
Donovan Mitchell was blunt after Cleveland squandered a 22-point fourth-quarter lead in a 115-104 OT loss to the Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, declaring, 'we f--king blew it.' New York staged a 44-11 run in the final 12:45 (including overtime) to flip the game, with Jalen Brunson scoring 38 while Mitchell had 29 and Evan Mobley 15 points with 14 rebounds. Cleveland will study the film and look to rebound in Game 2 in New York.
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.