CLEVELAND : The New York Knicks stormed into the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 with a dominant 130-93 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, completing a four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference finals.
Karl-Anthony Towns led New York with 19 points and 14 rebounds as the Knicks extended their franchise-record playoff winning streak to 11 games, tying the third-longest postseason run in NBA history.
“Growing up in the New York area, I feel like the word hope has been gone for a long while,” Towns said. “To restore that is special.”
OG Anunoby added 17 points while Landry Shamet scored 16 off the bench, making all four of his three-point attempts. Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges each had 15 points for New York, which led by as many as 45 points.
Brunson, named series MVP, averaged 25.5 points and 7.8 assists across the series.
Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points for Cleveland, while Evan Mobley added 15. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson credited the Knicks’ form after his team suffered its worst home playoff defeat.
New York seized control with a decisive 20-0 run spanning the first and second quarters and dominated the boards 60-33.
The Knicks will now play in their first NBA Finals in 27 years as hopes rise again at Madison Square Garden.
