As the clock ticked down, Cleveland’s arena emptied fast. The New York Knicks had already erased any reason for fans to stay.
Karl-Anthony Towns delivered 19 points and 14 rebounds as New York stormed into the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, dismantling the Cavaliers 130-93 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals Monday night.
The Knicks extended their franchise-record playoff winning streak to 11 games, matching the third-longest run in a single postseason in league history, while their traveling fans turned Cleveland’s arena into a home crowd.
“Growing up in the New York area, I feel like the word hope has been gone for a long while, so to restore that is special,” Towns said. “There is nowhere better in the world than when Madison Square Garden has hope.”
New York Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns (L) goes to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (R) during Game 4 of the NBA East Conference Finals, Cleveland, U.S., May 25, 2026. (EPA Photo)
