The New York Knicks finished the job against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 106-95 win on Wednesday to advance to the Eastern Conference semi-finals. This is the first time that the Knicks got out of the first round of the NBA playoffs since 2013.
Many believed that the Cavs would find a way to prolong the series, facing a 1-3 deficit in the series and playing in front of the home crowd. However, the Knicks were the more aggressive team from the get-go, building a 10-point lead at the half.
Cleveland attempted a comeback on several occasions in the third and fourth quarters, but each time the Knicks found ways to make stops at the right moment or responded offensively to keep the lead intact.
Jalen Brunson delivered another great performance, scoring 23 points and adding four rebounds and four assists. RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley added 21 points and 19 points, respectively.
Donovan Mitchell had 28 points, seven boards, and five assists for the Cavaliers, but struggled from beyond the arc, going 3 of 12. Darius Garland followed with 21 points and four assists.
The New York Knicks will now face the Miami Heat in the semi-finals, possibly doing so without one of their main players. The Knicks’ star forward Julius Randle rolled his ankle late in the first half and didn’t return to the game after. The full extent of his injury remains unknown.
