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New York completed a stunning four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, winning Game 4 by a lopsided 130-93 margin at Rocket Arena to advance to the Finals for the first time in 27 years. The victory extended the Knicks' winning streak to 11 consecutive playoff games, a run that has seen them outscore their opponents, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Cleveland, by a combined 262 points, the best point differential across any 11-game stretch in NBA history, regular season or playoffs included.
Jalen Brunson was named MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals despite a relatively quiet outing, finishing with 15 points and five assists in 31 minutes. Karl-Anthony Towns led the way with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while OG Anunoby added 17. Landry Shamet, whose return to the lineup in late March is credited as a turning point, shot 4-for-4 from three-point range in the clincher and has connected on 92% of his attempts throughout the conference finals.
The Knicks' traveling fan base essentially turned Rocket Arena into a home game, with "Let's Go Knicks" chants drowning out Cleveland's crowd throughout. Celebrity supporters including Spike Lee, Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Morgan and Fat Joe were spotted in attendance. Cavs owner Dan Gilbert left his courtside seat vacant during the second half as New York's lead ballooned to 29.
For Towns, the moment carried particular weight. It is his first trip to the Finals after three consecutive conference final appearances, one with the Minnesota Timberwolves and two with New York. His postgame message was simple. "It's a magical thing, it's a historic thing," he said. "But for us as players, the job is not done."
The Knicks will now await the winner of the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs series, currently tied 2-2. The NBA Finals begin June 3.
