By Matija Šerić
For the first time since 1999, the New York Knicks have reached the NBA Finals. It is a monumental achievement for one of the league’s most popular franchises, especially considering the dominant fashion in which they became Eastern Conference champions. They first defeated the Atlanta Hawks 4–2, then swept the Philadelphia 76ers 4–0, and followed that with another 4–0 sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers. During the playoffs, the Knicks won 11 consecutive games by double-digit margins and outscored their opponents by a record-breaking +262 points over that stretch. A closer look at the Eastern Conference Finals reveals several important conclusions.
Game 1 – Brunson’s Heroics and the “Bad Old” Harden
At first glance, it may sound strange, but Game 1 was, without question, the decisive game of the series. The Cavaliers had just overcome the favored Detroit Pistons 4–3 in a grueling semifinal series and entered the matchup with momentum on their side.
After losing the first quarter 23–16, Cleveland dominated the second and third quarters and built a 21-point lead. With 7:52 remaining in regulation, the visitors were ahead by 22 points and appeared to have the game firmly under control.
Then fate took a dramatic turn.
The Knicks engineered one of the greatest comebacks in NBA playoff history, and Jalen Brunson was the driving force behind it. New York went on an 18–1 run, with Brunson hitting the basket that tied the game at 101–101. Madison Square Garden erupted. Even if Cleveland had somehow escaped with a victory, the comeback alone would have demonstrated how dangerous the Knicks were. But that did not happen. New York opened overtime with a 9–0 run and outscored the Cavaliers 14–3 in the extra period, securing a 115–104 victory.
Brunson was the architect of the triumph. In 46 minutes, he scored 38 points while adding six assists, five rebounds, and three steals. Without him, the Knicks would never have completed such an epic comeback. Mikal Bridges contributed 18 points, while Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns, and OG Anunoby each scored 13. Reserve guard Landry Shamet also made a significant impact, knocking down three three-pointers in 17 minutes.
The Cavaliers fought hard but squandered a golden opportunity. Donovan Mitchell led the way with 29 points, five rebounds, and six steals. Evan Mobley recorded 15 points and 14 rebounds. However, James Harden performed well below his usual standards. He finished with 15 points but shot just 5-for-16 from the field, including 1-for-8 from three-point range, while committing six turnovers. Once again, the playoff curse appeared to haunt the 36-year-old playmaker.
Harden was undoubtedly the primary reason Cleveland failed to take a 1–0 series lead, though New York’s exceptional defense and pick-and-roll execution also played a crucial role. The Knicks repeatedly targeted Harden in pick-and-roll situations, forcing defensive switches that created favorable scoring opportunities for Brunson.
Game 2 – Hart Sets a Career Playoff High
The Cavaliers never recovered from the devastating collapse in Game 1.
Two days after Brunson’s comeback masterpiece, Cleveland looked exhausted and incapable of competing at a high level. Game 2 resembled a regular-season contest more than a conference finals battle, with New York cruising to a 109–93 victory.
The final score does not fully reflect the Knicks’ dominance. They shot 52 percent from the field compared to Cleveland’s 39 percent and connected on 36 percent of their three-point attempts versus 26 percent for the Cavaliers. Both teams committed eight turnovers, while Cleveland held only a slight rebounding advantage, 42–40.
Statistics alone cannot explain the difference. The defining moment came when New York unleashed an 18–0 run in the third quarter, turning a close game into a blowout and building a 71–53 lead.
Josh Hart emerged as the star of the night. He scored a playoff career-high 26 points while dishing out seven assists. Cleveland’s defense focused heavily on containing Brunson, leaving Hart with open looks from beyond the arc and opportunities to attack the paint. Brunson finished with 19 points but orchestrated the offense brilliantly, recording 14 assists. Bridges and Towns added 19 and 18 points, respectively.
For the Cavaliers, Mitchell and Harden scored 26 and 18 points. However, poor shooting and struggles at the free-throw line, where they converted just 22 of 32 attempts, proved costly.
Game 3 – Knicks Thrive in Transition
Game 3 effectively ended the series.
The Cavaliers understood the magnitude of the challenge before them. No NBA team has ever recovered from a 3–0 deficit. Nevertheless, Cleveland fell 121–108.
Even the presence of today’s most famous celebrity couple, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, in the stands could not inspire a turnaround. Kelce, a Cleveland native and lifelong Cavaliers fan, watched as Brunson once again dominated the game.
The Knicks’ superstar scored 30 points and added six assists in 41 minutes. Bridges and Anunoby supported him with 22 and 21 points, respectively. Off the bench, Landry Shamet continued his excellent postseason, scoring 14 points, including four three-pointers.
New York played at a relentless pace, overwhelming Cleveland in transition and outscoring them 30–10 in fast-break points. Their disciplined second-half defense, led by Hart and Anunoby, further tilted the game in their favor.
For Cleveland, Mobley scored 24 points, while Mitchell and Harden contributed 23 and 19. Max Strus added 13 points off the bench, but it was nowhere near enough.
Game 4 – A Celebration in Honor of the Knicks
By the fourth game, Cleveland appeared completely drained, both physically and mentally.
The contest felt more like a celebration of New York’s success than a competitive playoff game. The Knicks cruised to a 130–93 victory, and the score accurately reflected the gap between the teams.
Cleveland briefly showed resistance in the opening quarter but still lost it 38–26. From that moment onward, the outcome was never in doubt. Even the home crowd seemed to surrender, as Knicks fans reportedly occupied a large portion of the seats inside Rocket Arena.
The balanced attack that has defined New York throughout the playoffs was on full display. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 19 points, OG Anunoby added 17, and Landry Shamet chipped in with 16. Reserve guard Miles McBride contributed 11 points and demonstrated why he could become a valuable X-factor in the Finals.
For the Cavaliers, only Mitchell, with 31 points, and Mobley, with 15 points and seven rebounds, delivered notable performances. At one stage, New York led by 45 points, illustrating the extent of its dominance.
It was a complete basketball masterpiece.
Cleveland Reaches Its Ceiling
In the end, the Eastern Conference Finals appear to represent Cleveland’s ceiling.
Had the Cavaliers won Game 1, they might have made the series competitive. Even then, it is difficult to imagine them taking more than two games from a Knicks team playing at such an extraordinary level.
One particularly disappointing storyline was the complete disappearance of veteran Dennis Schröder. He scored just three points in Game 1 while shooting 1-for-9, followed with four points in Game 2, added three more in Game 3, and did not play at all in Game 4.
Fever Pitch Ahead of the NBA Finals
Knicks legend John Starks once said:
“I think the media makes it tough to play in New York. There are so many newspapers and television stations covering the Knicks, and expectations are always extremely high. The pressure that comes with playing for the Knicks is greater than in most other places.”
The pressure on New York’s players has not been this intense in decades.
Knicks fans, among the largest and most passionate fan bases in the United States and around the world, are gripped by Finals fever. The fact that New York captured the NBA Cup in December has only strengthened the belief that an NBA championship is within reach.
Twenty-seven years is a very long wait for such a prestigious franchise.
The first game of the NBA Finals will be played on June 3 on the road. The eight-day break since the final game in Cleveland carries some risk. The team could lose rhythm and offensive fluidity, although there is no guarantee that will happen. The Knicks also had a week off before the Eastern Conference Finals and still swept the Cavaliers 4–0.
At the time of writing, New York’s opponent in the Finals has not yet been determined, but the Knicks have a realistic chance against either Oklahoma City or San Antonio.
Stay tuned to Actualitica in the coming days for more articles on the Knicks and the NBA.
