Knicks reach NBA Finals with sweep of Cavaliers

CLEVELAND: The New York Knicks booked their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999 after beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 on Monday to complete a 4-0 sweep in the Eastern Conference final.

New York extended its franchise-record playoff winning streak to 11 games and improved to 12-2 in this postseason. The Knicks, who won their only NBA championships in 1970 and 1973, will open the Finals on June 3 against either defending champions Oklahoma City or San Antonio, with the Western Conference final level at 2-2.

Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds, O.G. Anunoby scored 17, and Landry Shamet added 16 points off the bench while making all four of his three-point attempts. Jalen Brunson contributed 15 points and was named the series Most Valuable Player after averaging 25.5 points, 7.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds.

After the game, Shamet said the team would briefly enjoy the achievement before turning its attention to the title series.

We're going to enjoy it for a day or two but we've got a larger goal here and we've got to start locking in

He added:

We've got four more wins to try and go get and we know it's going to be even harder

Being in this position with this team, it's pretty special.

Knicks take control early

New York seized the initiative by ending the opening quarter on an 8-0 run and starting the second with a 12-0 burst to move ahead 50-26. Shamet hit two three-pointers during that decisive spell, while Brunson and Miles McBride also connected from long range.

Another three-pointer from Shamet pushed the Knicks to their biggest lead of the first half at 61-32. They remained in control after the interval and capitalised on Cleveland's mistakes, forcing 22 turnovers that produced 34 points.

Towns said the team had long believed it could reach this stage.

We knew our team was capable of doing this

All we had to do is put the work in and continue to believe in each other. That's what we did and that's why we're here.

Brunson praised by teammates and coach

Brunson said the individual award reflected the support he had received from those around him. He was two years old when the Knicks last reached the Finals, a run in which his father was part of the team as a guard.

It means a lot, but I wouldn't be here without my teammates, the belief they had in me

They give me the confidence. They let me be me. Most importantly, we all believe in each other from top to bottom. It's an honor to play with them.

Josh Hart credited Brunson's influence on the group and said the team's collective approach had been central to its run.

He doesn't let us get too high or too low

He wants to make sure we double down on our habits and play this game to win.

Everybody wants each other to be successful. Everybody is willing to sacrifice for the betterment of the team. When you do that, that's what makes a great team.

Coach Mike Brown also praised the squad's commitment and unity, calling it a heck of a group.

Every single one of the guys on the team has sacrificed. Every single one of the guys on the team has competitive spirit

Every single one of the guys on the team is connected. Every single one of the guys on the team believe in each other and the process and they all hold me and each other accountable.

Cavaliers fall short

Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 31 points, but the Cavaliers were unable to avoid a heavy defeat at home. Coach Kenny Atkinson said the outcome was difficult to accept given the team's expectations.

I'm disappointed for the group

You want to fulfil your expectations. That was disappointing.

The Knicks would need to sweep the Finals as well to match the NBA record playoff winning streak of 15 games, set by Golden State in 2017.