New York Knicks crush Cavaliers to reach NBA Finals for first time in 27 years

The Knicks overwhelmed Cleveland from start to finish to complete a 4-0 sweep and return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.

Photo: AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

New York Knicks are heading back to the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years after crushing the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 to complete a dominant four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Led by head coach Mike Brown, New York controlled the game from the opening minutes and never allowed Cleveland to recover. The margin became so overwhelming that the Knicks rested their starters with more than seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter while holding a 35-point lead.

Karl-Anthony Towns posted 19 points and 14 rebounds, while OG Anunoby added 17 points. Landry Shamet scored 16 off the bench, and both Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges finished with 15 points.

New York’s balanced offense and relentless defensive pressure overwhelmed the Cavaliers throughout the night. Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points for Cleveland, but the Cavaliers collapsed after the opening quarter and suffered their first playoff sweep since the 2018 NBA Finals.

The Knicks used a devastating scoring run late in the first quarter to seize complete control of the game. By halftime, New York had built a 68-49 lead and never looked back.

Thousands of Knicks fans took over the arena in Cleveland, loudly chanting “Knicks in four” during the closing minutes. Celebrity fans including Spike Lee, Tracy Morgan and Timothée Chalamet were also in attendance for the historic night.

The victory marked New York’s 11th consecutive playoff win, making the Knicks only the fourth team since the NBA-ABA merger to achieve such a postseason streak.

New York will now await the winner of the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. The NBA Finals are scheduled to begin on June 3.