The New York Knicks are vying for their third NBA championship.
In a dominant display, the New York Knicks secured their first NBA Finals appearance in 27 years, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93.
The Knicks completed a clean sweep of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Final, winning 4-0 and extending their franchise-record playoff winning streak to 11 games.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson, named the series’ Most Valuable Player, contributed 15 points.
The Knicks, who have won NBA titles in 1970 and 1973, last reached the Finals in 1999, where they were defeated 4-1 by the San Antonio Spurs.
Brunson, 29, was a toddler when the Knicks last reached the Finals, a team on which his father, Rick, currently an assistant coach for the franchise, played as a guard.
“It means a lot, but I wouldn’t be here without my teammates, the belief they had in me,” Brunson stated.
“They give me the confidence. They let me be me. Most importantly, we all believe in each other from top to bottom. It’s an honour to play with them.”
The Knicks will face either the defending champions, Oklahoma City, or the San Antonio Spurs in the upcoming Finals, with the Western Conference final series currently tied at 2-2.
Landry Shamet, who scored 16 points and successfully made all four of his three-point attempts, emphasized that the team is focused on the “larger goal” and not solely on their victory over the Cavaliers.
“We’ve got four more wins to try and go get and we know it’s going to be even harder. Being in this position with this team, it’s pretty special,” he commented.
Should the Knicks continue their undefeated playoff run and sweep the Finals, they would match the NBA’s record playoff win streak of 15, set by the Golden State Warriors in 2017.
The Knicks concluded the first quarter with an 8-0 run and initiated the second with 12 unanswered points, establishing a 50-26 lead.
Shamet’s third three-pointer extended the Knicks’ lead to 61-32, and they maintained control throughout the game, overwhelming the Cavaliers with 22 turnovers after halftime.
Donovan Mitchell was the top scorer for the Cavaliers with 31 points.
Game five of the Western Conference Final is scheduled for Tuesday. (01.30 BST Wednesday).