Knicks sweep Cavaliers, reach NBA Finals for first time since 1999

Monday, May 25, 2026Confirmed

Sports Desk

What we know

The New York Knicks routed the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 on Monday night in Cleveland to complete a four-game sweep of the Eastern Conference finals and advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 points and 14 rebounds, OG Anunoby scored 17, and Jalen Brunson was named series MVP after averaging 25.5 points and 7.8 assists.

New York extended a franchise playoff-record winning streak to 11 games, matching the third-longest single-postseason run in league history, and pulled its starters with a 35-point lead late. Donovan Mitchell scored 31 for Cleveland, which was swept in a playoff series for the first time since the 2018 Finals. The Knicks will face the winner of the Oklahoma City Thunder–San Antonio Spurs Western finals; Game 5 of that series was set for Tuesday, with the NBA Finals scheduled to open June 3.

What's confirmed

AP/Reuters: Knicks won Game 4 130-93 to sweep Cleveland and reach their first Finals since 1999 (AP/Reuters).
AP/ESPN: Towns had 19 points and 14 rebounds; Anunoby 17; Brunson named East finals MVP (AP/ESPN).
Reuters/NBC: New York's playoff win streak hit 11; Cleveland was swept for the first time since 2018 (Reuters/NBC).
AP: Finals begin June 3 against Thunder or Spurs; West finals were tied 2-2 entering Tuesday's Game 5 (AP).

What's still developing

Which Western champion New York meets and who holds home-court advantage.
How the Knicks manage rest and rotations after three clinching blowouts of 30-plus points.

Sources

AP News — New York back in NBA Finals for first time since 1999 after beating Cleveland 130-93 to finish sweep link
Reuters — Knicks finish sweep of Cavs, make first NBA Finals since 1999 link
ESPN — Knicks sweep Cavs, return to NBA Finals for 1st time since 1999 link
NBC Sports — Knicks headed to NBA Finals for first time since 1999 after blowout sweep of Cavaliers link