Knicks Down Cavaliers 130–93, Win First NBA Eastern Conference Championship Since 1999

The brooms were out in Cleveland on Monday, as the New York Knicks dominated the hometown Cavaliers 130–93 in Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. The four-game sweep of Cleveland gives the Knicks 11 straight playoffs wins.

After 27 years, including 17 losing NBA seasons, the basketball residents of New York’s Madison Square Garden will still be playing basketball next month. Game 1 of the NBA Finals begins on Wednesday, June 3. The Western Conference champion has yet to be determined, as the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs play Game 5 of their series on Tuesday. Each team has won two games apiece.

New York controlled Game 4 from the opening minutes of the first quarter. It was never close at any point during the 48 minutes of play. The Knicks led each quarter by double digits. With eight minutes left in the game, New York filled out their lineup with reserves, and increased their lead by 33 points. Monday’s victory is New York’s 11th consecutive win in the playoffs. Prior to finishing off the Cavaliers in four games, the Knicks swept the Philadelphia 76ers in four games. OG Anunoby, who in 2019 as a member of the Toronto Raptors won the NBA championship, led New York scorers with 17 points. Jalen Brunson, who chipped in 15 points in 31 minutes of play, was named the MVP of the conference finals.

Josh Hart, while contributing 6 points and 11 rebounds, told ESPN.com after Monday’s game how the victory was a result of a total team effort in this series, and throughout the regular season.

“I don’t think a switch flipped, per se. I think that was the start of the habits we were building, starting to show,” Hart said. “This is a very selfless group, and we are willing to sacrifice our own individual performances or stats or accolades for the betterment of the team.”

Although the crowd of 19,432 at Cleveland’s Rocket Arena began a deafening chant of “D-Fence!” at jump ball when the Cavaliers were up 5–0, New York’s offense slowly quieted the hometown crowd with “Let’s Go, Knicks!” shouts throughout the game’s four quarters.

It was the pressure in transition applied by the Knicks that dominated Cleveland’s players. At halftime, New York led 68–49, and at the end of the third quarter they held a commanding 98–71 advantage over the underachieving Cavaliers. Cleveland committed 22 turnovers which stymied any chance to mount an offensive comeback. Donovan Mitchell led all Cleveland shooters with 31 points, and was five-for-nine in 3-point shots.

While speaking on ESPN’s Sportscenter moments after New York’s sweep of Cleveland in the conference finals, Knicks’ center Karl-Anthony Towns echoed the feeling of euphoria their fans throughout the Greater New York City area are feeling.

“I mean, it’s an honor to even be in this position…with the team I grew up cheering for, my favorite team, and be in this position wearing this jersey, and to see the word ‘hope’ be brought back to the city because of us.

“I can’t lie, it’s something that is emotional and it’s something I’ve always dreamed of, and you never know if its gonna come true.

“You always think you got to play 2K to reach these heights, but I’m super happy we have this opportunity to be back somewhere where the Knicks deserve to be.”

Through New York’s first 13 playoff games, up until the tipoff to Monday’s game, as a team they were shooting 59.3 percent from the field. Larry Shamet in his limited 19 minutes of time on the court in Game 4 connected a perfect 4-for-4 in 3-point attempts. Their shooting accuracy has led to 11 postseason wins by double digits. Whereas Cleveland, playing in two consecutive seven-games series leading up to the conference finals, came out after halftime chipping away at New York’s growing lead but could only connect on 42 percent of their shots from the floor.

New York last won an NBA championship in 1973. Oklahoma City is the reigning NBA champion, having defeated the Indiana Pacers last spring. San Antonio bested the Miami Heat in 2014 to claim their last NBA title. The last time a New York basketball team captured a championship came in 1976 when the New New York Nets of the American Basketball Association defeated the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 of the Finals.

Aside from Mitchell’s offensive output, Cleveland’s scoring saw James Harden add 12 points, and Evan Mobley drained seven buckets and hit for one point from the free-throw line. Cleveland shot an abysmal 11–40 (28 percent) in 3-point attempts. The NBA Finals will begin in the home arena of the Western Conference champions.