The New York Knicks are on the verge of reaching the NBA Finals. In Game 3, the team defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-108 thanks to an outstanding performance by Jalen Brunson and now leads the series 3-0.
The Knicks celebrated their tenth consecutive postseason victory, a new franchise record. This means the team from the Big Apple needs just one more win to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. Jalen Brunson led New York with 30 points (10-of-19 FG, 10-of-12 FT) and six assists, while all other starters also scored in double figures.
Mikal Bridges contributed 21 points; as a team, New York shot nearly 56 percent from the field and dominated the transition offense (17-4). Cleveland, on the other hand, committed 18 turnovers once again and shot just 29 percent from beyond the arc (12-41)—not enough to stand a chance against the Knicks’ well-oiled machine. Evan Mobley (24) and Donovan Mitchell (23, 9/21) led the hosts; together with James Harden (19, 5 assists), the trio was responsible for 16 turnovers.
Dennis Schröder played just over nine minutes; his only shot was a successful three-pointer over Brunson at the end of the first quarter. He also added two assists. On the Knicks’ side, center Ariel Hukporti was once again not used.
Shamet seals the deal for the Knicks
New York controlled the game from the start; in the first quarter, it was primarily Karl-Anthony Towns (13 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) who stood out with 11 points. The Knicks scored on nearly every possession, building a double-digit lead. Harden held his own for the Cavs, but the role players struggled to find the basket. As a result, trailing 54-60 at halftime was actually a decent outcome.
The Cavs came out of the locker room strong, but they couldn’t take the lead. Bridges scored a few times off passes from Towns, and Brunson also started to pick up the pace. The game was effectively decided in the fourth quarter, however, when Landry Shamet (14 points, 4-for-5 from 3-point range) sank three consecutive three-pointers in less than two minutes, demoralizing the Cavs. Cleveland’s starters stayed in the game, but the air had gone out of it.
The Cavs’ Finals dream is likely over; no team in NBA history has ever come back from a 0-3 series deficit to win the series. Game 4 will take place in Cleveland again on Monday night.
