Knicks advance to first NBA Finals in 27 years after sweeping Cavs

Knicks celebrate Eastern Conference Finals title 2026
Knicks celebrate Eastern Conference Finals title 2026 Tim Phillis / CTK / AP

The New York Knicks advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 with a 130-93 victory at Cleveland on Monday, stretching their team-record playoff win streak to 11 games.

New York swept the Cavaliers 4-0 in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference final, and the Knicks, who won their only NBA titles in 1970 and 1973, will play for the crown starting June 3rd.

They await the winner between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs out of the Western Conference, a series that is currently tied 2-2 as it heads to Game 5.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 points and 14 rebounds, O.G. Anunoby added 17 points, and reserve Landry Shamet had 16 points with 4-of-4 three-point shooting to lead the Knicks' blowout triumph.

Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges each added 15 points for New York, who improved to 12-2 in the playoffs.

The Knicks closed the first quarter with an 8-0 run and began the second with a 20-0 surge to grab a 50-26 lead.

Shamet made two three-pointers in the pivotal stretch while Brunson and Miles McBride each made a three-pointer as the Knicks seized command.

Another Shamet three-pointer gave the Knicks their largest first-half lead at 61-32 in the second quarter before the Cavs trimmed it to 68-49 at half-time.

New York overwhelmed the Cavs with fast-break scoring and solid defensive work, pulling away for good in the third quarter.

Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 31 points.