The New York Knicks are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. The Knicks completed the sweep against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4, winning decisively 130-93.
With just under nine minutes remaining and trailing by 33 points, the Cavs pulled their starters from the game; only Knicks fans could be heard in the arena. Cleveland didn’t stand a chance; only Donovan Mitchell (31 points, 9/18 FG, 8/10 FT) put up a fight against the defeat. Dennis Schröder was out due to illness, and James Harden (12, 2/8, 5 TO), Jarrett Allen (6, 3 rebounds), and Evan Mobley (15) contributed far too little.
New York, on the other hand, celebrated its eleventh consecutive playoff victory and is also the first NBA Cup champion to reach the NBA Finals. The Knicks once again impressed as a team, with five players scoring at least 15 points, led by Karl-Anthony Towns (19, 14 rebounds). New York scored 33 points on fast breaks (CLE: 9), added 32 points off offensive rebounds (CLE: 5), and boasted a significantly better three-point shooting percentage.
Cleveland led only in the opening minutes, as Mitchell came out firing with eight points in three minutes, but Towns also found his rhythm quickly, and after six minutes, the Knicks took the lead and continued to extend it for the rest of the game. Cleveland offered little resistance; the visitors kept widening the gap and led 68-49 at halftime.
The Knicks have another week off until the Finals
There was never a comeback; Jalen Brunson (15, 6-for-14), who was named MVP of the series after the game, Landry Shamet (14, 4-for-4 from three-point range), and O.G. Anunoby (17) always had answers and turned the second half into a showcase. German center Ariel Hukporti also got his chance in the fourth quarter and contributed two points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal to the victory.
Cleveland thus misses out on its first Finals without LeBron James; instead, the Knicks will now face the winner of the series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs. That series is currently tied at 2-2, and New York will have an eight-day break. Game 1 is scheduled for Thursday, June 4, at 2:30 a.m. German time. Since both the Spurs and the Thunder had more wins in the regular season, the Knicks will have to play the first game on the road in any case.