NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 20: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks reacts after making a three-point shot during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Madison Square Garden on January 20, 2024 in New York City. The Knicks won 126-120. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
The New York Knicks dominated the Eastern Conference finals, sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games to advance to their first NBA Finals since 1999.
Since New York came back in Game 1 after being down 20 points in the fourth quarter, the Knicks have not let up all series. In each game, New York’s offense shot at a high level while the defense repeatedly overwhelmed the Cavaliers.
Jalen Brunson started at point guard and delivered another strong performance, earning Eastern Conference Finals MVP honors.
With this postseason run, the Knicks have now won eight in a row and will play the winner of the Thunder-Spurs series in the NBA Finals on June 3.
This New York team may be under the radar compared to those in the Western Conference, but their effort and defensive intensity stand out. Veteran players like Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart can cause havoc and force turnovers. When the Knicks are hitting shots, they’re tough to beat.
Head coach Mike Brown, hired from Sacramento after being let go, also defeated his former team and coached LeBron James back in the early 2000s. That has to be a good feeling for him.
Since 2020, the Knicks have built this roster by acquiring Brunson from the Dallas Mavericks, trading for Josh Hart from the New Orleans Pelicans, adding Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets, acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves, and getting OG Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors.
They’ve also built depth, with Landry Shamet shooting 92 percent from 3-point range this series and Deuce McBride consistently knocking down threes off the bench. Now, the Knicks will wait to see who they’ll play in the NBA Finals—and what would be the better matchup: Victor Wembanyama or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
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