Karl-Anthony Towns stars as Knicks sweep Cavs to reach first NBA Finals since 1999

Karl-Anthony Towns powered the New York Knicks with 19 points and 14 rebounds as they overwhelmed the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals on Monday night, sealing a commanding series win and a place in the NBA Finals. The victory marked the Knicks’ first trip to the championship series since 1999, completing a remarkable postseason run defined by dominance, depth, and consistency. New York extended its franchise-record playoff winning streak to 11 games, a run that now ranks among the longest single-postseason streaks in NBA history, tied for third overall. The Knicks controlled the game from early in the first quarter, never allowing Cleveland to regain momentum after a brief opening push.

OG Anunoby added 17 points, while Landry Shamet provided a major spark off the bench, scoring 16 points on perfect 4-for-4 shooting from three-point range. His accuracy from deep helped New York stretch the floor and build a large cushion before halftime. Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges contributed 15 points each, while Josh Hart delivered a well-rounded performance with six points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.



Cleveland was led by Donovan Mitchell, who scored 31 points, and Evan Mobley, who finished with 15 points and seven rebounds. However, the Cavaliers struggled with turnovers and shooting inconsistency. James Harden endured a difficult night with 12 points, five turnovers, and no made three-pointers on six attempts.

A decisive factor was New York’s control of the boards, as they out-rebounded Cleveland 60-33. Mitchell Robinson was especially impactful off the bench, collecting 10 rebounds in just 18 minutes and shifting the physical tone of the game whenever he entered.


The Knicks broke the game open with a 20-0 run spanning nearly six minutes from late in the first quarter into the second. Karl-Anthony Towns punctuated the surge with a powerful dunk that pushed the lead to 50-26. Shortly after, Shamet’s third three-pointer extended the advantage to 61-32, effectively putting the game out of reach.


Cleveland briefly led 17-14 early, but a 9-0 Knicks response flipped control. Robinson’s energy helped fuel a 24-9 closing run to the first quarter. The Cavaliers also missed backup guard Dennis Schröder, who was a late scratch due to illness.

With celebrities like Tracy Morgan, Spike Lee, and Timothée Chalamet in attendance, New York delivered a statement performance, showcasing elite defense, depth scoring, and relentless pace on its way to a dominant blowout victory.