The New York Knicks moved a step closer to reaching their first NBA Finals since 1999 after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-108. The game took place on Saturday night, and Jalen Brunson led the scoring for the Knicks with 30 points, while Mikal Bridges contributed 22 points. The victory leaves the Knicks just one win away from securing the Eastern Conference Finals.
Fans of the Knicks expressed their excitement throughout the game. As the final seconds of Game 3 ticked away, chants of “Knicks in four!” filled the arena. This victory marks the Knicks as only the seventh team in NBA history to achieve at least 10 consecutive wins during a postseason run. The Boston Celtics last accomplished this feat, securing a 10-game run on their way to the 2024 title.
The Knicks’ postseason performance has been impressive, with all but one of their victories being by double digits. Their average margin of victory stands at 22.5 points. Karl Anthony-Towns, who added 13 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, emphasized the need to remain focused. “The game is over, and we found a way to win. We have to execute at a high level in Game 4,” he said.
OG Anunoby also made a significant impact, scoring 21 points as the Knicks maintained a strong lead throughout the game. They shot 55.8% from the field, added 11 three-pointers, and were successful on 24 of 27 free throw attempts.
On the other side, Evan Mobley led Cleveland with 24 points, while Donovan Mitchell and James Harden scored 23 and 19 points, respectively. The Cavaliers struggled with long-range shots, landing 12 of 41 attempts, and converted 12 of 19 free throws. Despite the presence of celebrity couple Taylor Swift and Cleveland Heights native Travis Kelce, the Cavaliers couldn’t rally enough momentum to secure a win.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson acknowledged their challenges, saying, “I think their physicality and energy, we couldn’t get to that level to combat it. They’re on a run. We haven’t been able to stop the momentum.”
The Knicks maintained a 91-82 lead at the end of the third quarter. They extended their advantage significantly in the fourth quarter after Landry Shamet made three consecutive three-pointers to push the score to 105-94. Knicks coach Mike Brown commended his team’s performance, “Our guys were locked in from the beginning. We got a lot of great contributions. We tried to play fast and avoid their set defense.”
The Knicks started strong, making their first four shots to lead 9-1 less than two minutes into the game. By the end of the first quarter, they led 37-27. Although Cleveland managed to tie the score at 50-all on a jumper by Harden, the Knicks responded with a 10-1 run to finish the first half ahead at 60-54.
Brunson contributed significantly in the third quarter, with six points in an 8-1 run that extended the Knicks’ lead to 83-70. Landry Shamet noted the team’s resilience, “We weathered their best punches tonight.”