The New York Knicks maintained their incredible momentum by crushing the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 to win the Eastern Conference with a 4-0 sweep and return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
The Knicks were far too good for a Cleveland team that lacked belief they could stage a comeback and it was New York voices that echoed round the Rocket Arena towards the end of another one-sided contest.
New York now await the winner of the Western Conference finals between San Antonio and Oklahoma City which is tied at 2-2.
Even with Jalen Brunson not at his brilliant best, with 15 points and five assists, the road team cruised to an 11th successive play-off win.
“The belief the organisation has in me has been amazing,” Brunson said. “It’s something I don’t take for granted. It’s something not a lot of people get the opportunity to do. It’s an honour to be here, in this city with my team-mates. These guys have my back.”
Towns delights in helping New York deliver
Fans swarmed on to the streets of the Big Apple to celebrate with thousands gathering outside Madison Square Garden.
And for New Yorker Karl-Anthony Towns the victory was particularly sweet. Towns continued his excellent post-season form with 19 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals.
“It means the world. I grew up a Knicks fan, as was documented,” Towns told the New York Post. “What’s more of an honour is growing up in the area, I feel like the word ‘hope’ has been gone from the New York Knicks name for a long time. To be a part of this team that revives the word hope in the city, it’s something special, and it’s an honour.”
Having lost in the conference finals in each of the last two years – with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2024 and the Knicks 12 months ago – Towns was relieved to have gone one step further this time.
“Experience – experience teaches you a lot,” Towns said. “This is my third conference finals in a row, and I finally got over the hump, finally got to the Finals. For me, I’m going to enjoy this moment, I’m going to enjoy tonight.”
Difficult summer ahead for Cleveland after Knicks sweep
Cleveland star Donovan Mitchell believes the Cavs can take inspiration from the Knicks losing at this stage in 2025 and called for the organisation to retain the current roster and coaching staff.
“I have no doubt that this group can get there,” Mitchell said. “I’ve said that all year. The biggest thing is you just use it as a learning lesson. It’s a tough learning lesson, but now we know.
“This team that we just faced had to go through this. Maybe not this way, but they’ve been together, they’ve been a core group and had to go through this tough experience. So, this is our turn.”
Mitchell may not get his wish with Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert hinting at change.
He wrote on X: “We took a step ahead this spring, but we are nowhere near where we need to be. I can’t thank the fans enough for the support this year. We will dig in all summer and do everything we possibly can to take the next step. We will grind until we get there.”
Harden backs Cavaliers coach Atkinson
Cleveland have the highest payroll in the NBA and spent heavily on acquiring James Harden in mid-season. Harden has endured a tough series but says he wants to return next year.
The veteran also threw his support behind coach Kenny Atkinson. He said: “He understands his team. Of course, somebody’s going to have to take criticism, whether it’s myself or Kenny or whoever, the entire team. They’re going to put it on somebody.
“But I think for Kenny, he did an unbelievable job of getting me acclimated as fast as possible to understanding what I’m supposed to be doing out there. It’s just an unfortunate situation. Any team coming off of a tough, two series against two defensive monsters, it would have been challenging.”
