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Knicks take 3-0 lead, push Cavaliers to brink of NBA Finals
Confirmed
What we know
The New York Knicks moved within one win of their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999 after a 121-108 victory at Cleveland on Saturday night that stretched their Eastern Conference finals lead to 3-0. Jalen Brunson scored 30 points, Mikal Bridges added 22 and OG Anunoby 21 as New York never trailed and extended a franchise-record playoff winning streak to 10 games. No NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series.
Evan Mobley led the Cavaliers with 24 points, Donovan Mitchell scored 23 and James Harden 19. Game 4 is Monday night in Cleveland, where the Knicks can complete a sweep and advance to meet the winner of the Western Conference finals between Oklahoma City and San Antonio. Karl-Anthony Towns said the team has "always felt the sky is the limit."
What's confirmed
- BBC/Al Jazeera/ESPN: Knicks beat Cavaliers 121-108; series lead 3-0; Brunson 30 points (BBC/Al Jazeera/ESPN).
- BBC: New York on a franchise-record 10-game playoff win streak; no team has overcome 3-0 in NBA history (BBC).
- ESPN/Al Jazeera: Bridges 22, Anunoby 21; Mobley 24, Mitchell 23, Harden 19 for Cleveland (ESPN/Al Jazeera).
- BBC: Game 4 Monday in Cleveland; Finals begin June 4 vs. Spurs or Thunder (BBC).
What's still developing
- Whether Cleveland can force a Game 5 or New York finishes the sweep Monday.
- Western Conference finals outcome that sets the Finals opponent.
- Minutes and matchup adjustments if the series reaches a decisive closeout.