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The Garden crowd isn’t ready for that.
The New York Knicks demolished the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93, capping a dominant four-game sweep to reach the franchise’s first NBA Finals since 1999.
The Knicks controlled Game 4 from the start, taking a double-digit lead and never allowing Cleveland to get back into contention.
New York buried 19 of 43 3-pointers while dominating the rebounding battle.
Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks celebrates during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on May 25, 2026. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
OutKick founder Clay Travis summed up Cleveland’s no-show effort perfectly…
“Cavs completely gave up on this series after fourth quarter collapse in game 1. Embarrassing effort ever since,” Travis posted on X. “Congratulations Knicks, party like it’s 1999.”
The blowout capped a stunning collapse for Cleveland, which entered the Series considered by many to be the most complete team in the East.
Knicks star Josh Hart leaves Karl-Anthony Towns perplexed with a hilarious analytical analogy.
With more than eight minutes left in the fourth quarter of Game 4, Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson pulled his starters, conceding the series as the Knicks turned the final minutes into a celebration.
On Sunday, Atkinson told reporters he thought the Cavaliers “analytically” won two of the first three games. Instead, New York responded with overwhelming physical dominance.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the third quarter against the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Rocket Arena on May 25, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Grégory Shamus/Getty Images)
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks is defended by James Harden of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter of Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on May 25, 2026. (Grégory Shamus/Getty Images)
Karl-Anthony Towns anchored the interior with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson orchestrated the offense without committing a turnover.
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Even Donovan Mitchell’s 31-point performance wasn’t enough to keep Cleveland competitive as the Knicks defense stifled the Cavaliers’ perimeter attack for the fourth straight game.
The win also marks New York’s sixth straight road playoff victory.
The Finals appearance serves as massive validation for the organization after the Knicks moved on from Tom Thibodeau after last season and hired Mike Brown amid great skepticism and immense pressure to win immediately. Under Brown, the Knicks became the hottest team in the NBA, with an unbeaten streak lasting more than a month into the Finals.
New York will now face either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals, which begin on June 3.
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The road to the Larry O’Brien Trophy runs through Madison Square Garden.
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