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2026 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals: Knicks @ Cavaliers Game 4 – Sweep or Gentleman’s Sweep?

The Knicks fully devoured the Cavs’ collective souls on Saturday night. Now it’s just a question of whether the Knicks sweep them or not.

I’m pretty much assuming that the answer to that is a resounding yes.

Let’s go, Knicks!

Five more wins to go!

289 replies on “2026 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals: Knicks @ Cavaliers Game 4 – Sweep or Gentleman’s Sweep?”

Let’s go Knicks!

A small part of me thinks Cavs show up, hit shots, and we go back to the Garden. NBA would love a chaotic NYC celebration for ratings.

A large part of me thinks we dominate the closeout game like the last two series and never look back. Team is on a mission.

Brunson is so cold from 3.

Cavs are giving them everything they have and… are up 1.

Knicks taking Cavs adrenaline fueled opening without blinking. Cavs cant sustain this

Great cherry pick, but if Brunson dunked Adam Silver would’ve simply awarded us the championship on sight.

…no foul on that OG dunk?!

Ridiculous no call on OG, and then of course they call him for that foul (after missing the backcourt violation from Harden, I think).

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The only reason why I don’t like the KAT switch on Harden is that he will fall for the bait every time.

Who knew the Knicks would channel the Red on Roundball 1962 Celtic fast break.

We’re just slicing them up

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Broadcast: “Cavs are playing great”
Score: “Knicks up by 9”
LOL

Refs giving it their all to make this go 5…

Is Atkinson still checking the analytics?

lmao 14/23 from the field and 50% from 3

lmao 12 AST on 14 FG

Come on Knicks, I can only get so erect

When Landry Shamet hits 14 of 18 trifectas in the playoffs, it very well might be your year.

Mitch picking game 4 to remind these guys why they’re terrified of him is a cruel, hilarious joke

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I know they had insane stretches during this run, but this quarter may have been my favorite.

Incredible offensive process.

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Damn, wanted a 40-piece there.

Cavs are teetering. One more big run from us should do it

The Cavs were a league average defense in the regular season. They’re having some problems getting stops.

Didn’t we also have a 38 point 1st quarter in Game 3?

Our killer instinct is something else

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Mitch playing great, up by 12 – 12!! – in a closeout game, now we just need Jalen to rediscover his three-point stroke. He made one, let’s see him get hot….

Mikal’s PNR lob to Mitch was crazy. Is he hitting his 100th percentile player outcome in real time??

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Atkinson’s face doesn’t look like a coach that is winning analytically 😀

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It looks like we’re playing well but I’m worried the analytics thinks we’re down 40

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It feels like just yesterday Larry Brown was begging guys to play in games when they were healthy

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If Shamet was a race horse, he’d be spending all night being urine tested.

Either that , or there is a portrait of him aging rapidly in a dark closet somewhere.

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We indeed had another one (or two) in the chamber… meet Deuce and Mitch, Cleveland! 🙂

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Love that everyone is looking for Mitch, don’t love that they aren’t great at getting him the ball

This no exaggeration might be the best playoff roll by a 3-ish seed in NBA history.

To think they were actually down 2-1 in the first round is incredible.

I don’t have a lot of respect for most of their players, but Donovan and Strus are competitors. I’d be fine with them on our team.

The rest of these mooks….

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Sad bit on Mitch’s mental health concerns. Shut down all his social media.

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I would award an away from the ball foul with one FT and possession. These hack-a-someone has to stop. It’s not because it’s Mitch, i never liked it.

I’m rooting hard for them to miss the next one after the hack-a-Mitch, so far it’s 1-0 for us.

Analytically we’re only up 20

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Sad bit on Mitch’s mental health concerns. Shut down all his social media.

Stay strong, big fella, we’re all on your side.

After that last time out the intensity just hasn’t been the same. Need to find it for these last two minutes and not let them back into it.

Can’t believe a 19pt halftime lead is actually pretty disappointing.

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I mean, you can’t ask for more than a 19 point halftime lead, but they did have a 29 point lead.

I won’t get on them for letting 29 become 19, it’s hard to go belt to ass 100% of the time. Just hoping we come out strong in the 3rd and render the 4th Dadiet Time.

Cavs had to resort to foul baiting and Knicks finally missing shots. Not worried at all

Well, can’t really complain, but we could have blown the barn doors off this one if we kept running them.

With the way things have been going in this playoffs run I fully expect the Knicks to come out for second half having fully figured out this zone already.

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Strus has been a punk, but he’s competing. Seems like half the Cavs just don’t have that drive. Mobley would drive me crazy if he were on my team.

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Say what you will but hack a Mitch stopped the avalanche and temporarily put their season back on life support rather than the DOA it looked like.

I really hate the TNT guys saying that it’s already over…ugh

The Knicks have made these games so easy lately that I’m nervous because the lead is not big enough.

The reffing has been low key awful they’re swallowing their whistles when the Knicks are fouled

This version of towns is insanely good

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…and just like that, 22!

The difference between this squad (as of a month or so ago) and, well, all of the others I’ve ever rooted for is the defensive intensity is a constant

I mean we’re trying to complain and act like Knicks can blow this but let’s be serious Knicks got this in the bag!

Or not… lol

Indeed.

Can’t believe that KAT block. And to follow that with a 3. He’s been incredible.

They’re doing that play with your food thing when I just want them to eat.

The Cavs are simply not a serious basketball team

And just like that, we landed a haymaker on them.

God I love this team so much

looking forward to brown telling us his sprays philosophy was right all along 😉

I appreciate RJ no longer hating on the Knicks, but that was definitely a foul

I have to give props to Donovan Mitchell for being the only true hooper in the Cleveland metropolitan area

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I hope the Knicks clean up some of the dumb shit they do when they have a big lead, that’s not gonna fly in the finals.

Can’t believe part of me is considering turning off a Knicks ECF clincher because it’s too lopsided.

I wonder if Atkinson thinks the Cavs are wining the analytics again tonight. 🤣

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I hope the Knicks clean up some of the dumb shit they do when they have a big lead, that’s not gonna fly in the finals.

I agree, but i also thought it wouldn’t fly in the playoffs… then “maybe it’s just because it’s the 1st round”… and then, because it was the 2nd round… it’s the ECF and it’s still working! 😉
I gave up trying to say what i want the team to do, i’m just enjoying them being themselves. 🙂

All I know is that Mikal is shooting like crap tonight and I want one of my picks back. 🤣

I suppose we beggars can’t be choosers, I’ll take a 27 pt lead going into the 4th.

Is Mikal already at 6 FTA this game?

Playoffs Mikal >>> Regular season ironman Mikal

Today is the best day to be a Knicks fan in the 21st Century.

I’m 7 years post-cancer, healthy and watching with my 23-year old daughter, who has been with me for every playoff game.

Knicks in 4!

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Atkinson doesn’t wanna empty the bench the last game of the season but at some point he has to.

I suppose we beggars can’t be choosers, I’ll take a 27 pt lead going into the 4th.

You guys would complain about a 40 pt lead if it had been a 55 pt lead at some point during the quarter… don’t kick that to the curb! LOL

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I hope the Knicks clean up some of the dumb shit they do when they have a big lead, that’s not gonna fly in the finals

I agree it’s important, but I’ll be glad if we are up 27 on OKC or the Spurs in the first place. Out of all the problems to have, this is one of the better ones I guess lol.

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“I agree, but i also thought it wouldn’t fly in the playoffs… then “maybe it’s just because it’s the 1st round”… and then, because it was the 2nd round… it’s the ECF and it’s still working! 😉
I gave up trying to say what i want the team to do, i’m just enjoying them being themselves. 🙂”

Yeah, I’m being too hard on them. Lotta years of trauma under my belt!

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Today is the best day to be a Knicks fan in the 21st Century.

I’m 7 years post-cancer, healthy and watching with my 23-year old daughter, who has been with me for every playoff game.

Knicks in 4!

Awww, that’s awesome Ephus! 🙂

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Watching how KAT got mauled on that drive, are we sure we won’t be ready for the intensity of the western conference?

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IMO, by far the biggest factor and surprise in our recent play has been Towns’s defense and playmaking. He both took away a weakness and enhanced our offense. At this level, he’s a real superstar player.

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Kenny if you empty the bench so we can avoid injuries I’ll happily concede you won, analytically

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This would be a 50 point blowout Hawks style if it wasn’t for Mitchell, kudos for him. He’s really trying.

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Atkinson will throw in the towel now, I think.

We are going to the fucking finals.

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OK time to get OG out of there my heart is in my throat right now everytime I see him run or jump.

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Atkinson gave the Knicks something to put on the white board.
I’m sure he thought he was lifting his guys; he gave the Knicks a reason to destroy

Great to see you ephus! Glad we could share this with you, old friend. Good to hear that you’re doing well.

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I’m still coming to terms that we’re going in the fucking finals, I don’t know what to feel

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My wife scheduled a playdate today with my son’s bestie and a granddaughter of one of his teachers. Had to pop in and out to watch on my phone when i can.

BTA!!! BTA!! BTA!!

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I’m still coming to terms that we’re going in the fucking finals, I don’t know what to feel

I’m about to cry, actually… after those dark 2000s and 2010s! :’)

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Sup ephus! You chose a GREAT fucking day to rejoin us. Happy to see you.

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Of court Rick Atkinson, the acclaimed historian and author, did not say anything about analytics…Kenny, tho.
I can’t wait for the third revolutionary war book of the series, tho.

Can’t believe for the first time since I was just 19yo I’ll be watching the Knicks in the NBA Finals…

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My daughter is predicting the Knicks will put Spike Lee in the game when they clear the bench.

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What world is this where the other team concedes with 8 minutes left? Inconceivable!

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My daughter is predicting the Knicks will put Spike Lee in the game when they clear the bench.

LOL

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Kenny, tho.
I can’t wait for the third revolutionary war book of the series, tho.

I’m reading the first book now…love it

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I wish I still had my old spreadsheets set up. I’d love to calculate our playoff SRS.

It is amazing to me – and I’m thankful – that the Cavs basically put up the white flag on Their home court with that much time, while the stands are empty of Cavs fans and roaring with Knicks fans…

I was seven years old the last time the Knicks went to the finals. And I didn’t like sports then! What a feeling.

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The bench is trying to bring our % to the mean

Are you sure about that? 🙂

Edit: At the very least, this game is not damaging our record for largest margin of victory over N games

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Ephus you can imagine how strong a supporter I am as a Knickerblogger long-timer who also happens to be a consumer of niche legal news 🫡 great to have you back!

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Seeing Ewing smiling behind the Knicks bench almost brings me to tears…

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I wish I still had my old spreadsheets set up. I’d love to calculate our playoff SRS.

It has to be over 20, right?

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Gotta put that shit up in the cloud strat

In the clouds? How do you get there? By plane? LOLOL

Our scrubs are low-key sonning theirs.

We’re going to the NBA Finals, yall.

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“Seeing Ewing smiling behind the Knicks bench almost brings me to tears…”

Felt the same way BBA!

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Wow. Too surreal. I mean..this doesn’t even feel real- the consistency of the current level of play. I am truly shocked…and crazy elated that the team is hitting one hell of a stride- IN THE CONFERENCE FINALS. I’m very confident in this team going into the Finals.

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If KAT plays like this, they might win 65 fucking games next season!

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I guess Knicks fans could sit in the front row after all, as all the Cavs fans have left.

currently thinking about the year when jarrett jack and frank were our number 1 and 2 in assists. or the year when shane larkin and jason smith led us in minutes. where is Dred?

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We have 9 days to discuss whether this is the upper mezzanine.

Congrats, Knickerbloggers!

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So glad to have had Mike Breen on the call. He knows what this means.

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I’m not crying you’re crying

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I need every second of this etched in my memory, because a run like this doesn’t happen again. What a freaking team.

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We have 9 days to discuss whether this is the upper mezzanine.

I believe I’ve had my current (k)nickname all season, thank you very much

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I’m not gonna order East Champions shirt yet to go with my NBA Cup Champions shirt, gonna wait to order NBA Champions shirt in a few weeks!

Sure the Knicks swept the Cavs, but analytically? Who can say

1

This is truly amazing! I really hoped for this during the season, but never believed we would do it this way… what a great team we have! 🧡💙

Its settled. Firing Thibs and hiring Coach Brown was the difference we needed. We could’ve been in the Finals last year if he was our coach.

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Was going to say the same thing tomorrow.

Where is DRed? Someone check in with him. Love that guy. One of my three favorite posters to crib posts from, lifetime.

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We scored 130 points, won by 37, and our leading scorer only had 19.

Josh was quietly impressive, led the team in assists and had 11 rebounds in 23.5 minutes.

Also, thank you to The Sphere, and everyone who bought tickets, for making this moment possible.

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Mike Brown with a nice little speech, nothing in there about analytics.

I mean I’m not unbiased but those shirts are fucking nice. Need one ASAP.

1

currently thinking about the year when jarrett jack and frank were our number 1 and 2 in assists. or the year when shane larkin and jason smith led us in minutes. where is Dred?

I still want justice for Allonzo Trier though. 101 TS+

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My brother and sister in law already ordered the shirts TNFH! Tey got me one for my birthday which is Game 2 of the Finals, best birthday gift ever!

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Imagine how annoying it is watching Timothy Chalamet and whatever Kardashian that is celebrate on your home court

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I’m still in shock guys. Been here lurking since the Melo years, and we finally got to the dance.

2 of 3 trophies this year. 4 more games and we got the sweep of the trophies.

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I think KAT may have been the real MVP this series. Him or Mikal.

Mostly agree. The only reason I think it’s OK that Brunson got it is because he single-handedly won game 1, and the Cavs never really recovered from that. True team wins, with KAT being amazingly solid on both ends, Josh taking over game 2, Mikal steady pretty much throughout, OG returning to form, and Landry bringing fire off the bench…lots of deserved praise. But if JB didn’t do what he did in game 1, not sure if all of it would have happened. Certainly not like this.

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It’s surreal that we trampled the EC with hardly any stress. And with excellent health. And with a monster amount of rest and time to prepare.

I may wake up tomorrow morning and check to see if this wasn’t a dream.

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Wow, amazing milestone!!! All the posting and debates about Melo and Amare and Landry fields and frank and shump over the years, hoping for a good team she a breakout star to now this. Soak it in, jobs not finished yet, but super proud of this team!!

4

3 major narrative shifts since game 3 of the Hawks series –

– Maybe Brown isn’t an upgrade over Thibs
– KAT is soft and dumb and can’t play defense
– the Bridges trade is one of the worst in Knicks history.

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I LOVE THIS TEAM AND ALL OF YOU SO MUCH AND I CAN’T TURN OFF MY CAPS LOCK KEY AND I DON’T CARE BECAUSE WE WERE HERE FOR JEROME JAMES AND MICHAEL SWEETNEY AND JORDAN HILL AND FRANKIE SMOKES AND

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Nice to still be here for this moment. Enjoy! 4 more. This is NOT OVER! We have to finish the job.

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Breen just gave an incredible interview on MSG.

We are so lucky to have him.

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Is it possible that DRed is actually Leon Rose?

He’s busy running New York City and celebrating Arsenal’s title.

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Is it possible that DRed is actually Leon Rose?

Has Leon ever shared a killer pizza recipe?

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