NBA: Knicks on brink of first Finals trip since '99 while Cavs grasp for answers

Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks are one win away from the NBA Finals after taking a commanding 3-0 lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals. Brunson’s stellar playoff run has fueled New York’s franchise-record 10-game postseason winning streak as the Knicks chase their first East title since 1999.

FIELD LEVEL MEDIA / REUTERS

May 25, 2026

Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks moves the ball against Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 23, 2026.

David Richard / Reuters

The New York Knicks are one win away from reaching the NBA Finals after taking a commanding 3-0 lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals.

Led by star guard Jalen Brunson, the Knicks have dominated the series and can secure their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999 with a victory in Game 4 on Monday night in Cleveland.

New York has won 10 straight playoff games — a franchise record — by an average margin of 22.5 points. Brunson, a three-time NBA All-Star, has been at the center of the Knicks’ playoff surge, averaging 29.0 points and 8.7 assists through the first three games of the series.

Knicks coach Mike Brown praised Brunson’s leadership and consistency, calling him an MVP-caliber player.

Brunson, meanwhile, remained focused on improving rather than celebrating the team’s success.

“I don’t want to consider us peaking at this moment,” Brunson said. “All I focus on is how can we get better from the day before.”

The veteran guard added another milestone to his season after earning All-NBA Second Team honors alongside Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell.

New York has also received a major boost from Mikal Bridges, who has elevated his performance during the postseason. Bridges is averaging 19.1 points over his last eight games while shooting efficiently from both the field and beyond the arc.

The Cavaliers, meanwhile, are on the brink of elimination and trying to avoid their first playoff sweep since the 2018 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.

Cleveland’s struggles began after squandering a 22-point lead in Game 1 before losing in overtime. The Cavaliers have failed to recover, suffering consecutive defeats in Games 2 and 3.

Mitchell has continued to lead Cleveland offensively with 26.0 points per game in the series, but veteran guard James Harden has struggled offensively, shooting just 41.3 percent from the field and 22.7 percent from three-point range.

Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson admitted his team has lacked energy against the surging Knicks.

“They’re the more energetic team and we’re a count, maybe two counts, behind at times,” Atkinson said. “We’re missing shots and transition breakdowns are getting them going.”

No NBA team has ever rallied from a 3-0 deficit in a playoff series. -Brian Dulik, Field Level Media/Reuters