The New York Knicks made quick work of the Cleveland Cavaliers to sweep the Eastern Conference Final, punching their first ticket to an NBA Finals since 1999.
Now, the question that remains is, who will play the Knicks in the NBA Finals for the Larry O'Brien Trophy, the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs?
Let's explore the options below, ahead of Game 5 of the Western Conference Final.
Who will face the Knicks in the NBA Finals?
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How the Western Conference Final was won
The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs have traded body blows through four games of the Western Conference Final, with both teams looking like the definitive favorite at various times.
After the Spurs opened the series with a 122-115 victory in OKC, the Thunder answered with back-to-back victories before San Antonio returned serve with the most lopsided win for either side of the series, taking Game 4 103-82.
The Thunder, who hold the homecourt advantage for the final three games, are favored to advance to their second straight championship series. Kalshi has OKC listed at 60% probability of winning the seven-game set with the Spurs.
Wemby can change the tides
However, Victor Wembanyama is, unsurprisingly, the ultimate X-factor. In San Antonio's Game 1 win, Wemby went for 41 points and 24 rebounds. In Game 4, he scored 33. In the two losses, he's gone for 21 and 26 points, respectively.
The Spurs lack the Thunder's depth, but Wembanyama is such a dynamic player who has shown an ability to take over games like no one else has in this series, even back-to-back NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Buckle up for Game 5
Kalshi's series odds mirror the lines for Game 5, with OKC listed as having 60% probability to win tonight at Paycom Center. The Thunder have only lost once at home during the NBA playoffs, but that came in Game 1 of this series.
So, if you are confident in the Spurs, consider investing in the outcome of tonight's game by backing San Antonio.
No team has exhibited a stronger ability at counter-punching OKC than Wemby & Co., dating back to the regular season. It'll probably be the best value you'll get on the Spurs from here on out, too.
Knicks will be well-rested underdogs
The conventional wisdom has appeared to be that whichever team escapes the West will ultimately win the NBA Championship. The New York Knicks will be the underdog no matter who stands across from them, but they distribute the ball extremely efficiently, with five players averaging double-digit scoring during these playoffs.
Jalen Brunson leads the way with 26.9 points per game, but OG Anunoby (19.7) and Karl-Anthony Towns (16.9) aren't far off. The Knicks will also have the rest advantage after eliminating the Cavaliers on Monday.
During the regular season, New York went 0-2 vs. OKC and 1-1 against San Antonio. The Knicks will adjust their game plan depending on which team makes it through.
Brunson will almost definitely be used as a counterweight to SGA if the Thunder advance, where Towns will need to be his best big self to even slightly slow Wembanyama (you can't fully contain him).
The six -- among thousands of Knicks diehards who partied like it was 1999 outside The Mecca -- were issued summonses for disorderly conduct and processed at the NYPD's Midtown South Precinct, authorities said.
Six people were hauled off in cuffs when celebratory madness erupted outside Madison Square Garden as the Knicks clinched the NBA finals for the first time in 27 years.
The raucous crew — among thousands of Knicks diehards who partied like it was 1999 outside The Mecca Monday night — allegedly climbed on light posts and other structures, blocked cars, jumped over police barriers and refused to disperse, law enforcement sources said.
Six Knicks fans were issued summonses for disorderly conduct when cops caught them stirring up mayhem outside Madison Square Garden following the team’s historic sweep, authorities said. Aristide Economopoulos for NY Post
They were issued summonses for disorderly conduct and processed at the NYPD’s Midtown South Precinct, authorities said.
Video from the jubilant scene showed one reveler — who appeared no older than his early teens — hoisting himself up a light pole, before two cops immediately slapped cuffs on him when he jumped down.
The crowd of partying fans then erupted into jeers of “Let him free!” and “Boo!
Another video showed people standing on the iconic arena’s marquee, and the outdoor lit-up signs, as one bystander yelled, “You’re going to jail.”
Members of the rowdy crew climbed on the arena’s iconic marquee. Aristide Economopoulos for NY PostRevelers also blocked cars and jumped over police barriers, law enforcement sources said. Aristide Economopoulos for NY Post
But an unfazed member of Knicks nation relished the joyful mood – as the hometown team bludgeoned the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 at Rocket Arena, punching their ticket to the championship.
“This is amazing! I waited years for this. I love Jalen Brunson,” he gushed, referring to the Knicks’ guard who was unanimously named the series MVP.
Jubilant fans exclaimed they’d waited years for the team to come this far. Michael Nagle for NY Post
The mob of revelers descended on the Garden despite the NYPD’s move to call off the venue’s usual outdoor watch party during Monday’s playoff game because unruly fans had been clogging the sidewalks during the team’s historic run.
MSG’s permits for the Eastern Conference Finals Game 4 shindig were summarily denied by the city’s Street Activity Permit Office, sources with knowledge of the situation told The Post, with cops reportedly refusing to participate unless fans tone it down a notch.
The celebrations came despite the NYPD’s move to call off the venue’s usual outdoor watch party during Monday’s playoff game. Michael Nagle for NY Post
“Games 1 and 2 have seen progressively more problematic issues at the watch parties outside MSG — six arrests last night alone — so the NYPD will not support more watch parties outside the stadium,” a police department spokesperson confirmed Friday.
“But we will continue to review requests to support parties at alternate sites, like Summer Stage,” the spokesperson added, referring to Central Park’s outdoor amphitheater.
No one was taken into custody outside Radio City Music Hall, which remained under control as orange-and-blue clad fans gathered there Monday night for a watch party, cops said.
Brooke Rose captured a candid moment of some of the Knicks' WAGs, and diehard fan, Timothée Chalamet, after the New York's Eastern Conference finals sweep of the Cavaliers on Monday night.
Brooke Rose captured a candid moment of some of the Knicks’ WAGs, and diehard fan, Timothée Chalamet, after the New York’s Eastern Conference finals sweep of the Cavaliers on Monday night.
Taking to her Instagram Story, Brooke, who is the daughter of Knicks president Leon Rose, shared a photo of Ali Brunson, Shannon Hart and Jordyn Woods all smiling during the team’s celebration on the court at Rocket Arena — with Chalamet and his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner in the frame.
“The best wives in the world,” Brooke wrote and tagged the women, as well as Chalamet.
(L-R) Ali Brunson, Shannon Hart, Kylie Jenner, Jordyn Woods and Timothee Chalamet after the Knicks’ four-game sweep of the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on May 25, 2026. Instagram/Brooke Rose
Woods and her fiancée, Knicks center Karl-Anthony, posed together while holding the Eastern Conference finals trophy.
Shannon, who is the wife of Knicks guard Josh Hart, gushed over the team in an Instagram Story post for reaching the 2026 NBA Finals on her birthday.
Knicks president Leon Rose and actor Timothée Chalamet, a diehard Knicks fan, shared a moment after New York’s Eastern Conference finals sweep of the Cavaliers on May 25, 2026. Instagram/Brooke Rose
Another clip by Brooke showed Chalamet and her father shaking hands and hugging after the Knicks’ 130-93 Game 4 clincher.
One image included Brooke and Wynn Wesley, the daughter of Knicks executive, William Westley, aka “World Wide Wes.”
Wynn Wesley, the daughter of Knicks executive, William Westley and Brooke Rose, daughter of Knicks president Leon Rose, after the Knicks’ Game 4 series sweet of the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals on May 25, 2026. Instagram/Brooke Rose
Chalamet wasn’t the only Celebrity Row staple who made the trip to Cleveland to support the Knicks.
Comedian Tracy Morgan, rapper Fat Joe, actor Ben Stiller, and director Spike Lee all attended Game 4.
Knicks legends, Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Patrick Ewing were in the building to witness New York extend its win streak to 11 games.
The pair presented star guard Jalen Brunson with the 2026 Easter Conference Finals Larry Bird MVP trophy.
The Knicks — back in the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years — have nine days off before the series begins June 3, and will face either the San Antonio Spurs or the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Western Conference finals is tied at 2-2 heading into Tuesday’s Game 5.
The New York Knicks continued their torrid run through the playoffs Monday night with a 130-93 demolition of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. It wrapped up a 4-0 sweep and punched the team’s ticket to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
While the Knicks stayed hot on the court, the club is amid a plan to unlock its full potential off the court by splitting the Knicks and New York Rangers into separate publicly traded companies—both are currently part of Madison Square Garden Sports.
Here is a look at the who, what, when and why behind this potential transaction, which is still subject to league approvals and other conditions.
What is MSG Sports doing with the Knicks and the Rangers?
In February, the MSGS board approved a plan to explore a split. “We believe this proposed transaction would provide each company with enhanced strategic flexibility, its own defined business focus and clear characteristics for investors,” MSGS CEO James Dolan said when announcing the news.
The firm took the next step last week when it filed a Form 10 Registration Statement with the SEC for the proposed spin-off. It continued a long history of the Dolan family splicing up their business empire in the hopes of creating more value, i.e. a higher stock price.
Dolan family patriarch Charles built the family’s first fortune on the back of cable television by founding HBO and building Cablevision into a behemoth that was sold to Altice in 2016 for $18 billion. Dolan died in 2024 at 98; by that point, his son, James, had been running the family’s businesses for nearly three decades.
Cablevision acquired 50% of the Knicks, Rangers and related businesses in 1994 and the rest of the MSG properties three years later. In 2010, Madison Square Garden was spun off from Cablevision into its own publicly traded company.
“This enables MSG to freely pursue its business plan while providing shareholders with the benefit of being able to more clearly evaluate the company’s assets and future potential,” James Dolan said in announcing that split.
The MSG spinoff was the first domino in what is now three unique companies. In 2015, Dolan split MSG in two with the sports teams and venues (Madison Square Garden, Beacon Theater, Radio City Music Hall and Chicago Theater) in one and Madison Square Garden Network (MSGN) in the other.
The next machination was to split the teams and venues in 2020 under MSGS and Madison Square Garden Entertainment. This transaction forced the Knicks and Rangers to sign leases with their new landlords, MGSE. Meanwhile, Dolan launched his Sphere business at MSGN and renamed the company Sphere Entertainment in 2023.
Why is MSG Sports splitting the Knicks and the Rangers?
MSGS has long been pegged as having a “Dolan discount” for the stock trading at a steep discount to its enterprise value. MSGS’ current EV is $9.6 billion, a 29% discount to the $13.5 billion combined total from Sportico’s most recent valuations of the Knicks at $9.85 billion and the Rangers at $3.65 billion.
The reality is that sports teams have historically traded at a discount to what they might fetch in a private transaction. The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Indians—now Guardians—both traded at steep discounts before they went private.
Manchester United shares languished at $13 and below its 2012 IPO price but more than doubled on hopes of a sale when the Glazers hired Raine Group to explore their options in late 2022. Jim Ratcliffe ultimately bought 25% of the common stock at $33 per share in early 2024, implying a valuation of more than $6 billion. The stock sank back to $14 after the transaction closed, although it recently rebounded to a two-year high of $20.
There are a couple of strikes working against publicly traded sports teams. Soaring valuations are partly driven by scarcity value, and there is no scarcity value as a publicly traded stock. There are 8,000 securities traded on U.S. stock exchanges, including exchange traded funds, yet just 124 teams in the four biggest U.S. sports leagues, which have added only two new franchises during the past 20 years.
The other issue is sports teams are not great businesses by themselves. Team ownership opens doors for other investment opportunities and are a great tax break when you buy them, but there is reason that investment bankers started valuing teams on revenue multiples—still the standard today—instead of earnings ones, like most companies with a price-to-earnings ratio. Sports teams historically lost money, and while today’s collective bargaining agreements are more owner-friendly and TV deals have soared, teams still have low profit margins or can lose money, with the exception of the NFL.
The Knicks and Rangers lost a combined $22 million after taxes and interest during the 2024-25 fiscal year, per Madison Square Garden Sports’ financial filings, despite the Knicks’ run to Eastern Conference finals.
MSG Sports’ plan to potentially split the teams sent shares up 16% the day it was announced in February. MSGS shares are up 89% during the past year, bringing the public and private valuations more in line.
Why is MSG Sports splitting the Knicks and Rangers now?
A transaction 3,000 miles away last year helped heat up spinoff talks when Mark Walter agreed to buy the Los Angeles Lakers at a $10 billion valuation, months after the sale of the Boston Celtics for $6.1 billion. Before the rise of the Golden State Warriors, the Knicks and Lakers were the NBA’s financial titans in a league of their own.
“The spin enhances the possibility of raising capital, and [it] makes minority stake sales easier, as there are two distinct teams’ business models, which makes for a clearer investment vehicle,” Seaport Research Partners analyst David Joyce wrote in an April research note.
Sportico recently spoke with multiple investors who think Dolan could move beyond just an LP stake deal and sell one of the teams outright. Someone familiar with the spinoff details pushed back on the premise of a control sale of either team.
A spokesperson for MSGS declined to comment on the possibility of a control sale of one of the teams.
Dolan has long prioritized his sports teams, but the 71-year-old has increasingly spent time on the Sphere, a project that was his creation and described as his “baby” by those close to him. Dolan envisions a global network of Spheres, using the same IP, with the next two iterations already in the works for a mini-Sphere outside Washington, D.C. and a full-size version in Abu Dhabi.
What potential issues could arise in the Knicks-Rangers split?
The spin-off is expected to be structured as tax-free for shareholders, but there are other tax consequences to this deal.
A new federal tax law expands a 2017 tax provision that limited the compensation public companies could deduct for tax purposes. The 2017 provision capped the deduction at $1 million each for the CEO, CFO and the next three highest-paid officers. The new law expands the number of employees to also include the next five highest-compensated ones starting with the 2027 tax year.
An independently traded Knicks team would pay its top five executives and top five players $195 million—nearly 90% of that to players—triggering $55.4 million in taxes, per Joyce, after excluding the $1 million per employee in maximum compensation. The Rangers would incur a post-spinoff incremental tax of $19.8 million on $76 million in salaries.
Apr 12, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Washington Wizards guard Sharife Cooper (13) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Enaruna (21) during the first half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Welcome to our Wizards player review series. We’ll go through each guy that played meaningful minutes and look back on their season. Here’s Sharife Cooper.
Sharife Cooper has had a winding basketball journey, bouncing around China, Turkey, Greece, and France after a year of sparse minutes as a rookie with the 2021-22 Hawks. The Wizards brought him in this season on a two-way deal.
In some ways, he was a classic tank captain — a journeyman guard who struggled defensively and primarily played big minutes in late-season games.
To Cooper’s credit, his numbers would place him above that status. He put together a 61 percent true shooting percentage, well-above-average for position, and he knocked down 38 percent of his threes. He was able to get to the basket consistently and finish. He’s capable of playmaking, too.
When the Wizards gave him the ball, good things generally happened. He put up positive numbers when he created out of the pick-and-roll and in isolation. When he iso’d, he managed an even one point per possession, an upper-percentile number.
Cooper plays with darting speed and a score-first mentality. He can score at all three levels, including a fairly efficient midrange shot, and he did a better job than the Wizards’ other young guards of penetrating the defense on a consistent basis.
That’s the good news. The flip side is that Cooper is not a particularly threatening off-ball player and doesn’t provide enough as a playmaker to offset that. His three-point shot, while efficient last season, came on low-volume despite his heavy offensive role. He has a low, somewhat labored shot-put release, lightly reminiscent of a Ball brother. He is not seeking out threes, and defenses at times sagged off him.
While he ran a solid volume of pick-and-rolls and produced a respectable number of assists, he did not turn that usage into consistent shots for his teammates. Per Databallr, he ranked in the 28th-percentile in potential assists per on-ball time — measuring how often he created shots, relative to how much he had the ball.
It’s likely for that reason that Cooper rarely broke into the team’s healthy rotation, and did not navigate his way to a standard NBA contract, unlike Tristan Vukcevic and Jamir Watkins. Small, defensively-challenged guards have to be higher-end playmakers in today’s NBA.
And Cooper was certainly defensively challenged. Defensive metrics can be wonky, but they point to him being one of the worst individual defenders in the league.
On a team with Trae Young and Tre Johnson, he is duplicative, which likely makes it an uphill battle for him to stick with the Wizards as they look to elevate out of tank territory.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 19: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in action against the New York Knicks during Game One of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t trade for a one-year rental. All indicators point towards James Harden returning to the team this summer after opting out to restructure his deal.
“Yes. 100%,” said Harden on whether he wants to be back in Cleveland. “Definitely want to be here. I think we found something. It’s tough not ending how we wanted to, but I think we found something.”
That’s as strong a commitment as you’ll get from a player in today’s NBA. That type of clarity on someone’s future can actually be relieving. Reports suggest the Cavs are just as certain that they want Harden back for next season.
“This is not theoretical, James Harden will be back with the Cavs next year,” said ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “It will be for multiple years guaranteed.”
This should come as no surprise. It was unlikely that Cleveland would have traded Darius Garland for half a year of Harden. This was always going to be a multi-year relationship.
Harden averaged 19.2 points and 5.5 assists in 18 playoff games this year. Everything he did was on the fly after joining the Cavs midseason. In some ways, that makes their run to the Eastern Conference Finals impressive. But I don’t think anyone is handing out brownie points at this time.
“We showed a lot, we could have folded a few times, especially in the second round,” said Donovan Mitchell after the season ended. “Game 6 [loss to Detroit] was tough. That’s an organizational altering series, and for us to rally around each other and execute on the road, that tells you everything you need to know.”
The Cavs have work to do; New York made that painfully obvious. They don’t have the continuity or cohesion that’s required of winning at the highest level. Another year with Harden could help them achieve that. That’s what you have to tell yourself, at least.
Harden carries with him all the baggage of a legendary player who has never made it to the top of the mountain. This was understood before trading for him. Harden tied Karl Malone for the most playoff wins without a championship this postseason. That’s a narrative that’s come to define him for many fans.
“We ignore leadership, we ignore the human character of who he is, we ignore the empowerment he gives people, and we ignore his greatness in a major way,” said Mitchell. “It’s really unfair, now more than ever, now that I see it on a regular basis, we have a ‘ring culture’ society, and that’s just who we are.”
There’s merit to Harden’s on-court resume. He’s a first ballot Hall of Famer, no matter how hard you criticize him. Still, there’s always only been one way to shut people up. He has to win.
“I’m still here, right? Still alive, still going. That’s all I can do,” said Harden of his shortcomings in the playoffs. “As much as we want to feel sorry or doubt our journey, whether it’s you guys or me, you just gotta keep pushing.”
The New York Knicks, recently an afterthought in the NBA championship picture, have surged to have an implied 30.1% chance to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
BetMGM’s NBA Finals odds show the Knicks are up from +2200 when the playoffs began to their current value of +225.
Key Takeaways
The Knicks fell from +900 on opening night to +2200 in Finals odds when the postseason began.
No NBA team produced a better 10-game point differential than the Knicks just did.
The OKC Thunder are still favored to win the Finals, and the Spurs likely would be too if they take the West.
The Knicks’ 37-point Game 4 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals — their 11th straight victory of the playoffs — resulted in them becoming the first team to reach the 2025-26 NBA Finals. They will face either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs, depending on who comes out of the West.
Oddsmakers had their eyes on the Knicks when the season began. A losing six-game series with the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals a year ago still positioned them as one of the best teams in the East, especially after Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the 2024-25 Finals.
Oddsmakers installed the Knicks at +900 odds to win the championship by the time that opening night arrived. Only the Thunder (+240), Denver Nuggets (+600) and Cleveland Cavaliers (+750) had shorter odds, according to SportsOddsHistory.
The Knicks went through the majority of the regular season in the top three in the Eastern Conference standings, eventually finishing third at 53-29.
Despite their relatively high standard, the Knicks’ NBA Finals odds slowly dwindled with time. They fell to +1200 on New Year’s Day, +1700 on March 1, and their +2200 odds (4.4% implied chance) when the postseason arrived. That’s when everything changed.
Eliminating the Atlanta Hawks in six games and witnessing the Philadelphia 76ers upset the Boston Celtics in the first round led to the Knicks receiving +900 Finals odds at the start of the conference semifinals. Their first sweep of the 76ers left them at +550 before the conference finals, and their second against the Cavaliers shortened them to their current line of +225.
Knicks make NBA playoff history
The Knicks’ Finals run had nothing to do with good fortune. Their 11-game winning streak is tied for the third-longest in NBA playoff history, trailing only the 2017 Golden State Warriors (15 games) and the 1999 Spurs (12 games). They are tied with the 1989 and the 2001 Los Angeles Lakers.
They also just posted the best 10-game postseason point differential in league history — and it wasn’t close.
Their +246 mark means they outscored their opponents by an average of nearly 25 points per game over their last 10 outings. They finished 32 points (15%) clear of the previous record-holders, the 1974 Milwaukee Bucks (+214), and 40 points ahead of the 2017 Warriors (+206), who hold the record for the longest playoff winning streak.
The New York Knicks just played the most dominant 10-game stretch in NBA history, and it's not even remotely close pic.twitter.com/5qaLngvQLE
Despite their sheer dominance, oddsmakers still believe the Thunder are the team that is the most likely to win the Finals. The Spurs, who are +155 series underdogs against OKC, also aren’t that far behind the Knicks in Finals odds, suggesting that they would be favored if they reached the championship stage.
Lookahead NBA Finals odds
The NBA Finals don’t begin until Wednesday, June 3. However, oddsmakers have provided a glimpse of what is expected when the final best-of-seven series begins.
FanDuel’s lookahead lines show that the Thunder would be 6.5-point home favorites (-240 moneyline odds) in a potential Game 1 against the Knicks. The Spurs would be 4.5-point favorites (-166 moneyline odds) in Game 1 if they reach the Finals. Hypothetical series odds are not available.
Just as soon as the Eastern Conference Finals began for the Cleveland Cavaliers, it ended.
The Cavaliers were swept by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. Now they begin to plan for next season as they try to go even further in the playoffs because Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was not satisfied with the outcome
“We took a step ahead this spring, but we are nowhere near where we need to be. I can’t thank the fans enough for the support this year. We will dig in all summer and do everything we possibly can to take the next step. We will grind until we get there,” Gilbert wrote on X. “Congrats to the @nyknicks, and best of luck in the Finals.”
Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert AP
The Cavaliers have now made the playoffs for four straight seasons, and this year, expectations were higher than ever. Cleveland boasted the highest payroll in the league and had superstars across the roster
Forward Evan Mobley and guard Donovan Mitchell led the charge at the beginning of the season. Then the Cavaliers acquired James Harden in a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Clippers on February 4th.
With that roster, the Cavaliers finished fourth in the Eastern Conference, eventually taking down the 1st-seeded Detroit Pistons in seven games to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. But that is where the playoff run ended.
For the players, it was a disappointing end to a good season. However, some viewed it as motivation for next year.
“I have no doubt that this group can get there,” Mitchell said after the game four defeat on Monday. “I’ve said that all year. The biggest thing is you just use it as a learning lesson. It’s a tough learning lesson, but now we know.”
Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell NBAE via Getty Images
Other star James Harden reiterated that he would be open to returning as the guard enters free agency this offseason.
“Definitely want to be here,” Harden said on Monday. “I think we found something. It’s tough. It’s not ending how we wanted to, but I think we found something.”
Cavaliers guard James Harden NBAE via Getty Images
While it is not a foregone conclusion that the same core will run it back next season, Cavalier fans will hope that the team can take the next step.
The Houston Rockets enter the NBA offseason with a definite desire for improvement because of the general belief that the previous season was disappointing. Despite having the highest expectations heading into the season, the Rockets were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the second year in a row, and while Houston could run it back next season, hoping a healthy Steven Adams and Fred Vanvleet with another season of devolopment for the young core would be enough, I think it would be foolish to not consider making a trade if the price is right. Additonally over the weekend, insider Marc Stien said this:
“There is a belief in some corners of the league that Atlanta, Houston, and Portland all have legitimate trade interest in Brown.”
Enter Jaylen Brown, a 29-year-old guard/forward coming off the best season of his career, and helping to lead the Boston Celtics to the second-best record in the Eastern Conference despite superstar Jayson Tatum’s absence for much of the season. Brown has always been the Robin to Tatum’s Batman, as fans and media alike always seem to view Tatum as the star of the Celtics, and Jaylen Brown as his co-star, but this season showed that Brown could lead his own team. There has been a lot of discussion about Brown and the Boston Celtics possibly splitting ways during the past month. The Rockets have organizational ties to Brown through head coach Ime Udoka, who coached Brown during Udoka’s only season as head coach of the Celtics in 2021–2022.
Brown averaged 47.7 percent from the field, 34.7 percent from outside the arc, 79.5 percent from the free throw line, 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. When the teams were announced on Sunday, Brown was chosen to the All-NBA team even though he made the Second Team. In addition, Brown finished sixth overall in the MVP competition. The Rockets have enough salary to pay Brown’s $53.1 million salary by trading Clint Capela, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun.
Now, for what everyone wants, my opinion. I am on board with trading for Jalyn Brown IF the price is right. If Boston asks for Amen Thompson, I am hanging up the phone faster than you would hang up a call from that one relative asking for money. I would, however, give up one of Alperen Sengun or Kevin Durant. Now, obviously, Houston just traded for Durant last summer, but all Houston really gave up was Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the draft rights to Khaman Maluach, and some second-round picks. With that being considered, Houston did not really give up too much for KD, so while it would be unfortunate to pivot off him after only one season, it makes sense. Additonally, I would obviously at the moment rather give up Durant than Sengun, as Sengun is younger and allows the team to have young talent for after Brown retires. Sengun does have shortcomings: he can’t shoot from three, and he is not the best defender, but I would rather keep the player who is able to play another 5-10 years than the one who has maybe two or three years left at most.
What do you all think? Should the Rockets trade for Jaylen Brown? How much is too much to give up? Let me know, and as always, be sure to check back at The Dream Shake for all your Houston Rockets news needs.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - OCTOBER 26: Assistant Coach Mitch Johnson and Head Coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs speak to each other during the game against the Houston Rockets on October 26, 2024 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photos by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals was without a doubt the Spurs’ worst showing of the playoffs, and possibly even their worst game of any capacity since January. After a blistering 15-0 run to open the game, the law of averages came back with a vengeance, and they showed very little fight or urgency the rest of the way as the Thunder quickly recovered to take over the game and regain homecourt advantage.
This Spurs team has proven to be resilient all season, so it wasn’t too surprising to see them make adjustments and come out more determined in Game 4, which they won comfortably. However, there’s more to the story than that. As was revealed by De’Aaron Fox in the postgame show following Game 4, none other than Gregg Popovich made a locker room appearance immediately after Game 3, and let’s just say anyone who had not had the privilege of playing for him (or didn’t for long enough) can now say they’ve had the full Pop Experience.
De'Aaron Fox said Gregg Popovich came into the Spurs' locker room after the Game 3 loss:
"That was the first time he walked into the locker room and was like, 'Nah, that's BS. That's not how we play basketball.' Obviously, he had some choice words for us." pic.twitter.com/CaZSIcfXxL
Pop officially resigned as head coach last summer after suffering a stroke early in the 2024-25 season but is still President of Basketball Operations and has been seen around practice plenty of times, as he also does physical therapy at the Spurs’ facility at The Rock at La Cantera. But as Fox said, this was the first time he came storming into the locker room after a game, and they knew what they were in for before he even said a word. From players to coaches, staff and even General Manager Brian Wright, everyone listened with appropriate fear as El Jefe told them their performance “was BS” and “not how we play basketball”. He’s still the same ol’ Pop.
Someone who can relate and was often on the other end of Pop tongue-lashings was former Spurs champion Danny Green, who was often credited with being willing to take his wrath and improve from it, just like Pop’s original target: Manu Ginobili. But even Green jokingly told Sports Center that he was scared of Pop then, still is now, and he felt for the current Spurs over what that experience must have been like.
Danny Green on what Pop’s speeches are like and how big a presence he has on the team:
“A huge presence. I mean it doesn’t go away. He’s just one of those guys that you’re fearful of regardless of age or health.
That being said, just because Pop still has a presence doesn’t mean Mitch Johnson is just some nice, soft-spoken guy (since he’s always lost his voice by the time we hear from him) who is simply following orders. His sideline demeanor may not be as pronounced or dramatic, but he comes from the coaching tree of Pop and was his chosen predecessor for a reason. He and his staff still coach the game, call the plays and make adjustments, and they’ve done a masterful job all season. Before Game 4, they appeared to make the switch from “make everyone but SGA beat us” to “make SGA and no one else beat us,” and it worked well. Defensive rotations were more crisp, and on offense, there were more pick-and-rolls and an asserted effort to get Victor Wembanyama the ball on the move instead of too many forced drives and iso-ball.
Also, like Pop, Mitch is not afraid to coach his players hard, from his star all the way down. Rookie forward Carter Bryant may have gotten “the Pop Experience” just like the rest of his teammates after Game 3, but he also experienced what Green and many other Spurs often did on the sidelines during Game 4, when Mitch got on him hard after a couple of careless fouls, including biting on an SGA pump fake and barreling into Jaylin Williams on the fast break for a charge. Bryant has had some bright moments in these playoffs, but it has also understandably been a massive learning curve for him, and despite the team being up big in that moment, he appeared on the brink of tears.
Carter Bryant appeared to have tears in his eyes after his coach yelled at him following a turnover pic.twitter.com/bBVIo5wI8i
However, there’s another invaluable experience he got in that moment that Green and plenty other Spurs also experienced: the team’s unselfish superstar jumping in with leadership and words of encouragement to balance things back out. In Green’s day, it was Tim Duncan who would help perk his teammates back up after they experienced the Wrath of Pop. For Bryant, it was Wemby who came over to encourage him on after he felt the Wrath of Mitch. Different coaches, different stars and different role players, but the same culture lives on.
The narrative this postseason has been that the Spurs are ahead of schedule, and based on preseason predictions, that is true. However, it’s not just talent alone that has gotten them two wins away from the Finals, but also coaching, leadership and a completely egoless roster. If that sounds like the Spurs of Pop and Tim, it’s because it is, but even if those two still have a presence and plenty of influence within the organization, this is now the Spurs of Mitch and Wemby, and they are ready to build upon the legacy their predecessors created — from winning all the way down to being yelled at. It’s the Spurs way.
Fans watch on as Knicks guard Jalen Brunson shoots a 3-pointer at Madison Square Garden during Game 2 vs. the Cavaliers on May 21, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
The cheapest ticket for Game 3 at MSG on June 8 costs $3,686 at SeatGeek including fees, at the time of writing.
For Game 4 two days later, the cheapest ticket costs $3,543 at SeatGeek.
TickPick revealed after the Knicks secured their sweep of the Cavaliers in the conference finals Monday night that the get-in prices for Games 3 and 4 were $3,745 and $3,464, respectively, which would be “the most expensive NBA tickets on record.”
If the Finals reaches six games, fans would have to fork up over $4,984 at SeatGeek for that June 16 clash.
It’s a stark contrast to 10 years ago when Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors faced off in the 2016 NBA Finals and the average price to get into those games was $880.
Last year, when the Thunder and Pacers clashed, the average ticket price was $1,147, according to TickPick.
A view of Madison Square Garden during Game 2 of the Knicks vs. Cavaliers series. Getty Images
For some, that price could be worth it. For younger Knicks fans, this is first time their team has reached the Finals and the 27-year gap shows it’s not a lock to happen again anytime soon.
The Knicks have dominated since falling behind 2-1 to the Hawks in the first round, winning 11 straight games thanks to their back-to-back sweeps of the Sixers and Cavaliers.
Jalen Brunson led the way against the Cavaliers, bringing home Eastern Conference finals MVP honors. He’s averaging 26.6 points and 6.6 assists per game this postseason.
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But the dominant playoff run was a team effort.
Josh Hart had a crucial Game 2, scoring 26 points in a 109-93 win.
Bench spark plug Landry Shamet went 11-of-12 from deep during the conference finals, which broke an NBA playoff series record.
Center Karl-Anthony Towns has averaged a double-double throughout the playoffs.
Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts during Game 2 against the Cavaliers. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Even if not all Knicks fans can get into Madison Square Garden during the Finals, Knicks fever will still be felt all through the city and beyond.
Though Cleveland advanced to the Eastern Conference finals without LeBron James for the first time in almost 35 years, its unceremonious exit – and how arduous this whole postseason run seemed – has clouded what path the team should take in the weeks and months ahead.
The Cavaliers took perhaps the biggest swing of any team this year at the NBA trade deadline, flipping oft-injured 26-year-old Darius Garland for durable 36-year-old James Harden to pair with Donovan Mitchell in the backcourt. Cleveland had the most expensive roster in the league. Whether it worked – or can work – is up for debate. The final impression this season was a dud.
Harden said in the aftermath he is committed to remaining with the Cavaliers. Mitchell told reporters he has "no doubt this group can get there." They each expressed faith in coach Kenny Atkinson and the organization. They preached patience after only a few months with Harden in the fold.
How that statement manifests itself could change the landscape of the entire NBA offseason, with the Cavaliers possessing perhaps the largest range of outcomes of any team in the league. They could stay the course, blow it up, or go for broke. These are the pressing questions facing the franchise:
Will Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers sign new extension?
Mitchell just made his first trip to the conference finals in his ninth NBA season, and fourth with the Cavaliers. But there's a fork-in-the-road for the two sides, despite Mitchell's statements in the wake of Monday's loss that he remains committed to Cleveland.
The 29-year-old is eligible to sign a four-year extension worth as much as $272 million this offseason. He could also wait until next year and be eligible to sign a five-year deal worth as much as $350 million. If he chooses the latter path, he'd essentially play next season as a looming free agent because of the $54-million player option for 2027-28 in his current contract.
Are the Cavaliers comfortable devoting that much to a player who might not be a No. 1 option for a championship contender right now? The uncertainty shouldn't immediately invite trade rumors, especially given Mitchell's positive tone after being swept out of the playoffs. But there's a forthcoming negotiation that will determine how much Cleveland wants to spend to hitch its wagon to Mitchell for the foreseeable future.
What's next for James Harden, Cavaliers?
Harden has a $42.3-million team option on his contract for the 2026-27 season, but multiple reports at the trade deadline suggested Harden would not have agreed to be dealt to the Cavaliers without an understanding that he would be retained beyond this season.
He had another bumpy postseason, with a few notable performances in the first two rounds that got overshadowed when Knicks star Jalen Brunson feasted on him in the Eastern Conference Finals. Taking on Harden at his team option price tag would likely hamper what else the Cavaliers can do this offseason. A more team-friendly salary point, likely in exchange for an extra year or two on a new Harden contract, is expected to be the outcome.
That will tie Cleveland to Mitchell and Harden as a tandem. Harden sounded confident it can work.
"Definitely want to be here," Harden told reporters after Game 4. "I think we found something. It's tough. It's not ending how we wanted to, but I think we found something."
Will Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson be back?
Atkinson is just one year removed from winning NBA coach of the year, but his viral analytics moment before Game 4 reinforced his underwhelming performance on the sideline during the playoffs.
Telling reporters that Cleveland "analytically" won two of the first three games of the Eastern Conference Finals will go down in infamy among the more inopportune quotes uttered by a coach during a postseason series. It happened less than a week after Atkinson's timeout usage, or lack thereof, was questioned after the Cavaliers blew their 22-point lead in Game 1.
Cleveland was also taken to Game 7 in both the first round and conference semifinals after having a chance to end both series in Game 6. The accumulation of wear and tear, according to Atkinson, took its toll on the roster in the Eastern Conference Finals. Given Gilbert's postgame edict and expectations, Atkinson's leash appears to be short whether he keeps his job going into next season or not.
Can Cavaliers land LeBron James or Giannis?
These are the ultimate wild cards for this Cleveland offseason, and the most unlikely scenarios. One relies on James being generous. The other would be a huge bet on the present, potentially at the expense of the franchise's long-term fortunes. But James is a free agent and Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly on the trade market. One
In Evan Mobley, Cleveland has a young star the Milwaukee Bucks might be interested in taking back as a centerpiece in exchange for Antetokounmpo. The Cavaliers previously showed no interest in doing that. Did the Knicks sweep change their thinking?
James, meanwhile, has the option to add a closing chapter to his career by returning to Cleveland one more time. It would almost certainly have to come on a significant hometown discount given how much money the Cavaliers have committed. But if James is searching for another title and wants to leave the Lakers, he'd have an easier path in the Eastern Conference.
Just 322 days into his tenure as the New York Knicks’ head coach, Mike Brown has the franchise in the NBA Finals.
The Knicks have not seen the NBA Finals in the 21st century, but Brown has been there numerous times. Brown’s first Finals experience came in 2003, when he was an assistant on Gregg Popovich’s San Antonio Spurs staff. The team beat the New Jersey Nets to claim a championship, but Brown left the team following the season to join the Indiana Pacers. While Brown came close in Indiana, he eventually returned to the Finals in 2007 with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Brown and the Cavs came up short in 2007, but it wouldn’t be Brown’s last dance.
It took a decade for Brown to return to the Finals in 2017, when he was the associate head coach for the Golden State Warriors. He began a dynastic run that saw him reach the NBA Finals in four of the next six seasons.
The 2026 Finals will mark Brown’s seventh time on basketball’s biggest stage, which should come in handy for a Knicks team that hasn’t been there before.
Players like Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby have been there with their previous teams, but the Knicks’ biggest change this season is a big reason why they find themselves where they are.
While there was chatter about his job security throughout the season, Brown has proven why the Knicks made the right choice in hiring him as head coach.
May 23, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) huddles around teammates during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks during game three of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images | Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Game 1 was a confirmation of a cultural problem. The Cleveland Cavaliers surrendered a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter, not gradually, not begrudgingly, but as if they had simply decided to stop. The New York Knicks didn’t steal the game so much as Cleveland left it unlocked, engine running, keys in the ignition.
What followed wasn’t a series. It was a confirmation.
The unbothered problem
All season, the word that kept surfacing around this team was resilient. They won back-to-back Game 7s, against Toronto, against Detroit, and the narratives wrote themselves. Mentally tough. Unbreakable. Built different.
But resilience and indifference are separated by a razor’s edge, and against New York, Cleveland spent four games on the wrong side of it. The same equanimity that helped them claw back from deficits became a kind of emotional flatness; an inability to register the weight of the moment when the moment demanded urgency. They twice held 3–2 series leads in earlier rounds and failed to close. No one seemed particularly alarmed. That should have been the warning sign.
Game 7 victories hid problems in plain sight. If you want to view both those series objectively, the Cavaliers struggled to close out teams that were much more flawed than a New York team that wasn’t going to succumb to anything but Cleveland’s best punch.
Roster construction and coaching will get their due; there is plenty to excavate there. But before any of that: the Cavaliers, for long stretches of this series, did not appear to be trying as hard as the other team. The Knicks ran. They dove. They celebrated. New York played like a city starving for something; Cleveland played like a team that had already made peace with however things turned out.
After every loss, the message was almost chalked up to an unlucky coin flip. The Cavaliers would convey all the lip service to make one think they took the loss to heart. Sure of the fact that this game would be put behind them, not far enough to not draw conclusions and improvements from, only to play identically both in scheme and effort, resulting in the same narrative for four straight games.
Game 4 was probably the most telling for me of where this Cavaliers team was, mentally and physically drained. All you want as a fan is to see your team fight for pride on its home court. Especially when your opponent can celebrate and lift hardware in front of your fans. It seemed the Cavaliers gave their “best” in the first eight minutes. When the Knicks continued to pile on the points and run in transition, that was the kiss of death for the Cavaliers’ season.
Hustle metrics, second-chance points, deflections by nearly every measure of effort that can be quantified, the Cavaliers came up short. That is not a coaching problem or a roster problem first. That is a pride problem.
James Harden absorbs a disproportionate share of the blame in these moments; always has, likely always will. Some of it is fair. Some of it is lazy. But pinning this collapse on any single player lets the other fourteen off a hook they should not be allowed to wriggle from. This was a collective failure. The Cavaliers were a soulless corpse long before anyone’s shot selection or defensive positioning became the story.
The question facing Cleveland this offseason isn’t whether to tweak the roster at the margins. It’s whether this team, in its current form, has the capacity for genuine desperation; for the kind of hunger that makes a Game 3 and 4 blowouts feel like a wound rather than a footnote. Until they can answer that honestly, the Game 1 collapses will keep coming.
If the Cavaliers are to get where they want to go, they need to realize the culture they built is one where contentment comes too easily. A culture where counter punches aren’t expected and where, once a lead is built, a loss can never follow. I think the poison from this mentality trickled from the top down, including coaching, stars like Donovan Mitchell and Harden down to the role players.
It’s an organizational issue, and if the Cavaliers want to become serious, they need to show it on the floor and not at the podium.
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 25: Miles McBride #2 of the New York Knicks celebrates in the locker room with the Bob Cousy Trophy after winning Game Four of the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 25, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
“I truly felt that this team was an NBA Finals team. I felt like we had a true opportunity. … I did have that belief from Day 1.”
On Mitchell Robinson’s value to the Knicks:
“Mitch can start for any team in the league — any team. And if he started, he might be first team all-defense and some other things, who knows? But this does not work if Mitch does not allow us to do that. If he doesn’t sacrifice himself and allows us to do that, because you’re talking about a starting center that you throw in the game maybe for 30 seconds sometimes, or two minutes, whatever it is, you pull them right back out. So it starts and ends with him, and him sacrificing himself for the team.”
On Jalen Brunson and how he compares to Tim Duncan and Steph Curry:
“The aura that those guys have, the quiet strength that they have, is unbelievable.”
On Landry Shamet’s impact in the ECF:
“Landry Shamet has continued to step up big on both ends of the floor.”
On these Knicks’ identity:
“They’re so resilient. We hit adversity during the regular season, which was fantastic. I embraced it. I wanted it to happen. We hit it numerous times. And our guys were tested then, and they stayed connected. And to see the ups and down, especially early in these playoffs against Atlanta and to see them stay connected while trying to sacrifice and believe, it’s fantastic. You don’t know if there’s gonna be carryover with those things in the postseason until you go through it, and going through it with these guys, these coaches and seeing it gives you hope for a lot of things, because the group has been fantastic.” Both Brown and the players have cited a higher level of focus since their Game 3 loss in Atlanta. They’ve been fantastic trying to pay attention to all the details that we’ve been throwing at them. And we’ve thrown a lot of adjustments offensively and defensively at them throughout the course of these playoffs. And to still see them locked in and try to be focused on the details at hand, again, that just speaks volumes of my coaching staff and the way that they’re presenting and changing and all that stuff. But more so about these players and their want to go try to get a ring.”
On his philosophy with bench players:
“I’ve been fortunate, blessed, lucky to be a part of some good coaching staffs and be with some great coaches. Steve Kerr, Gregg Popovich, they were guys that went deep into their bench. And they both always used to say, it’s not about now; it’s about the postseason. It’s not about now; it’s about the postseason. And you keep guys engaged by doing that, and you do develop not just a bench but the team, as well, because guys get used to playing with other guys, just in case something goes down. And so, again, it’s something I stole from them. Very few things I came up with on my own. I’ve seen it work in the past, and that’s kind of what I thought I wanted to do here. Tried to do it in Sacramento, too. So again, you’ve kind of been through it. You learn. You develop a philosophy from what you learn from and you believe in it, you try to stick with it as best you can, and that’s what we try to do here. Our guys, they’re doing a nice job getting rest, taking care of their bodies and their minds and trying to play as hard as they can. Every second they’re out on the floor, we have to keep doing that.”
On a challenging first season in New York:
“There were a lot of things that were challenging. You just kind of take them in stride and you go through it as best you can, and you know, you embrace it. I know that you have to have difficulties along the way to see if you can get through them. And not just with the players, but you got to have difficulties whether it’s with players or this or that, and you don’t want to just see how the players respond, but you want to see how Mr. Dolan responds, how Leon Rose responds, how your coaches respond to the situation, and if everybody truly respects the process, then they’ll all give it time to work itself through.”
On changing his methods as the season progressed:
“You come with an idea in mind. This is a players’ league and you have to be able to adapt, adjust – whatever you want to call it – to whatever your group’s strengths are on both sides of the basketball. It may take you a month to figure it out. It may take you half a year to figure it out. And I ain’t that smart, so it took me a little longer.”
On Tom Thibodeau kickstarting the current Knicks run:
“Thibs did an amazing job and gave us the experience and the education and the opportunity to show the world what we could do as a team. When Mike came in, making the Eastern Conference Finals this year was going to be the bare minimum. We stepped into this season with a lot of expectations.”
On the help his assistants have provided him with:
“I thank our guys because their patience has been unbelievable, and they’ve just gone with every single adjustment that I’ve thrown at them starting with Josh off the bench, experimenting with things to try to [improve] the group. Hopefully, you get it sooner or later. That’s why it usually takes a couple of years to get it in sync with the coach and players, especially when one of them is new.”
On when he felt the Knicks turned their season around for the absolute best:
“It was always a little bit of a question — whether or not we’d be able to get over the hump — but down the stretch of the regular season with 6 or 7 games to go, we started to play good basketball and do more things that involved more sacrificing from the group.”
On his situation before and after signing with the Knicks:
“Our business is funny. In my previous job [with the Sacramento Kings before getting fired], I supposedly took them to a point that was higher and it didn’t work out. I truly felt these Knicks were an NBA Finals team. I felt we had a true opportunity. Some jobs you take, you say, ‘OK, we’ll get better and we have to make the playoffs right now.’ But this one, I felt we legitimately had a chance if we could help them figure it out and the players can stay together during the process. Especially when we hit adversity. Because we hit adversity at different parts in this season. Not just us as a whole group, but even guys individually and myself as well. I did have that belief from Day 1. I didn’t know how it was going to turn out. But we’re here.”
“Resilience. I think we’ve been able to stay focused, stay composed.”
On how his teammates helped him win the ECF MVP award:
“They give me the confidence. They let me be me.”
On whether or not the Knicks have already peaked entering the Finals:
“I don’t want to consider us peaking at this moment. I still think we have a lot of work to do. Us as a team, I’ve said this all year, we just want to get better every single day. That includes the times that we’re in the playoffs because there’s still time to learn, still time to get better. That’s how I’ve always thought about it. I haven’t really had the time to really kind of wonder where we are as a team. All I focus on is how can we get better from the day before.”
On the Knicks’ trust in him from day one:
“The belief that the organization has in me has been amazing, and something I don’t take for granted, and something not a lot of people get the opportunity to do. So I’m very thankful. It’s an honor to be here in this city for this organization with my teammates.”
“He’s done an amazing job. He’s done an amazing job every single night showing up and doing. He deserves the credit, deserves the recognition. I’m glad he’s getting it. And it’s an honor to be part of that.”
On what helped these Knicks in reaching the Finals:
“Experience — experience teaches you a lot. This is my third conference finals in a row, and I finally got over the hump, finally got to the Finals. For me, I’m going to enjoy this moment, I’m going to enjoy tonight.”
On finally reaching the Finals and doing so with the Knicks:
“It means the world. I grew up a Knicks fan, as was documented. What’s more of an honor is growing up in the area, I feel like the word ‘hope’ has been gone from the New York Knicks name for a long time. To be a part of this team that revives the word hope in the city, it’s something special, and it’s an honor.”
On his trust on the Knicks’ winning capabilities:
“We knew our team was capable of doing this. That’s why we are here right now.”
On dealing with the title-or-bust expectations:
“I mean, we all had that aspiration regardless. So we didn’t really need to hear that because we all wanted that moment. We all wanted to see that especially after last year being in the Eastern Conference Finals and coming up short. We understand that we’ve got to take that next step. So what he’s talking about is also how we all felt. We wanted to go out there and we wanted to take that next step. Get past the Eastern Conference Finals. It was historical last year. The city went crazy and it was awesome to see the city so alive, but there’s new standards now. There’s new expectations and we’ve raised the expectations so we knew what we came into this season to do and what we want to accomplish and we’ve just go to keep our head down and continue to focus on the goal at hand.”
On Brown adapting to his players and the other way around:
“With Mike, he had to learn us and adjust to us. On the flip side, we had to do the same, as well. Now, we are at a point where we are both working seamlessly. We understand each other’s language. He is getting the best from us and we are getting the best from him. I think that speaks to a season, especially a first season with a new coach and a new system and a new philosophy. It’s a testament to the players to do an amazing job coming together and showing that unity that made us special last year. But the coaching staff being receptive to the players and adjusting with us and finding the way to get the most out of us.”
On his All-NBA snub:
“I think it talks more about our team, you know? That we’re selfless, and we’re willing to do whatever it takes for the development of our team and organization, and winning. Like you said, you brought up a lot of, I guess, stats and things like that, but it just shows that it’s a collective effort getting the job done every single night in New York, and it speaks volumes to this team.”
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) May 26, 2026
Josh Hart
On Brunson’s biggest trait helping him win the ECF MVP:
“Obviously he’s very humble, and he’s not gonna make too much of it until he retires. But it’s cool for him to get that recognition.”
On reaching the NBA Finals alongside college teammates Brunson and Bridges:
“It’s something that is surreal. Whenever you’re in college and in that locker room, you know the goal is the NBA. You know the percent chance of you all being on the same team is slim, if not none. It’s something you talk about and dream about, but you know the reality is almost impossible. The fact that it actually came to fruition is super cool because I know the time that these guys put in and I know where their hearts are. We already share a bond and brotherhood for life, and this is just another step. Obviously, this isn’t the ultimate goal, but you just keep adding memories. These are memories we’ll have for a lifetime.”
On having another long break ahead before the Finals:
“It’s huge. Obviously a team like Cleveland played two seven-game series, so you’re playing four more games than we played and a couple of our games were blowouts and we didn’t play too many minutes. Obviously that works in your benefit and you want to get as much rest as you can. I think it’s a sweet spot of getting enough rest but you don’t get rusty. We want to get that as much as we possibly can.”
On the rest advantage over Cleveland:
“[Playing fewer] minutes helps. I think at one point, they played 50% more minutes — or we played half the minutes or something — than the Cavs did. When you do that, obviously you’re at an advantage and you’re able to play faster and do those kinds of things. Obviously, it’s helped.”
On Brown’s head coaching job in New York:
“He was put in a tough situation with a lot of expectations but he’s handled that unbelievably. He’s coaching us in his way, his style. He’s taking input from everybody. His ability to lead us to adapt to things has been great. That’s just the kind of person he is. He’s a high-character, and a great person first and foremost.”
On dealing with Dolan’s mandate:
“We better get to the Finals or we’re going toget traded. It wasn’t pressure because that’s the goal we have. It, obviously, hits a little bit different when (Dolan) says it, but that’s the goal each and every one of us have, and we’re our own biggest critics. It just adds more fuel to that internal, inner fire to get there.”
"Listen
The Knicks are so desparate to be relevant…
Jalen Brunson's nice…
But they're gonna move heaven & earth
Give him $110 million…
To make him poster boy of the franchise?…
Do we think Brunson's gonna bring them to the 2nd round?
“I think he’s really, really good at not letting any of us — he talks about human nature a lot. He’s very upfront about it. When you win games in a row, respectfully, getting questions like this from you guys, he talks about it, and it’s human nature to kind of get comfortable sometimes. So he’s always checking us, curbing us on that, reminding us of kind of fighting that off. It’s a lot of the intangible stuff like that that I think he’s spectacular at, keeping us in our right headspace. Obviously, Xs and Os and game plan and how it communicates with everyone. This is a great coach. We trust him. You follow his lead.”
On Brown keeping the team focused even amid back-to-back sweeps and large leads:
“It’s human nature to kind of get comfortable sometimes. So he’s always checking us on that. Reminding us of fighting that off. It’s a lot of intangible stuff like that that I think he’s spectacular at. Keeping us in the right headspace. Obviously Xs and Os, the gameplan. He communicates with everyone. Just a great coach.”
"For Clyde to say this team reminds him of [his]––he doesn't say that very often
For him to say Jalen Brunson reminds him of the leadership of Willis
On Jalen Brunson’s ECF MVP award and his role as the new leader of the Knicks:
“It’s been a long time. Carrying on a tradition. Passing it down to Jalen so he’s the guy now who has to carry it. But you got to capitalize when you get there. So we’re going to stay on him. As Red Holzman would tell us at this point, ‘Hey, Clyde, we haven’t won nothing yet.’”
On expecting the Knicks to win the title:
“The way we’re playing now, I don’t think it matters who we play. Their suffocating defense, the ball movement. [Coach Mike] Brown came in wanting to run pace and space. But that was one thing they didn’t do. Now the last 11 games, the way they’re getting up and down the court, Bridges, Hart, they’re just moving and grooving.”
On the current Knicks team:
“These guys, they have 10 guys that are thriving. It doesn’t seem to matter who he puts in the game, they come up with what they need.”
“I’m sorry for the city of Cleveland. For it to be like this and the sweep. That’s ass. But I told y’all last year, and I’ll say again, we’ll be back. We’ll be ready. We’ll be hungry. And we’ll be locked in.”
On how Kenny Atkinson will deal with criticism:
“I know for a fact he’s from Long Island, he don’t give a damn”
On the Cavs’ future after an embarrassing sweep:
“I have no doubt that this group can get there. I’ve said that all year. The biggest thing is you just use it as a learning lesson. It’s a tough learning lesson, but now we know. This team that we just faced had to go through this. Maybe not this way, but they’ve been together, they’ve been a core group and had to go through this tough experience. So, this is our turn.”
On not having even enough to start putting on a fight against the Knicks:
“We did this to ourselves. That’s not an excuse. [The Knicks] are a hungry team. They beat us, swept us. So, I don’t want to diminish that, but we didn’t give ourselves a chance because we didn’t handle business … you can’t play with your food. We had an opportunity to close both series and give ourselves some rest, and we didn’t.”
On how much better the Knicks were through the ECF:
“I can’t even answer that question, honestly. Yeah, I don’t think we had a chance as far as our best shot from a standpoint of the circumstances. Obviously, they dominated us 4-0, but I don’t know if I can necessarily answer that question because, genuinely, I do feel we are the better team. But series-wise didn’t show it, so tough question to answer. They made shots, some open and some just tough shots. I don’t think we made really any.”
On the Cavs’ season ending:
“I think we found something. It’s tough. It’s not ending how we wanted to, but I think we found something.”
On his upcoming free agency, if he declines the player option in his deal:
“Definitely want to be here. I think we found something. It’s tough. It’s not ending how we wanted to, but I think we found something.”
On Atkinson’s job through the postseason:
“He understands his team. Of course, somebody’s going to have to take criticism, whether it’s myself or Kenny or whoever, the entire team. They’re going to put it on somebody. But I think for Kenny, he did an unbelievable job of getting me acclimated as fast as possible to understanding what I’m supposed to be doing out there. It’s just an unfortunate situation. Any team coming off of a tough, two series against two defensive monsters, it would have been challenging.”
Mamdani: "People whisper to me in every kind of event you can imagine — 'Knicks in four.' We're going to have watch parties across the city." pic.twitter.com/4W3ZRfj37l
“I don’t care about San Antonio. OKC. We’re going to win. May 8, 1970 [the first Knicks championship]. I was at the Willis Reed game. Thirteen years old. So going to keep it going. This is a team of destiny, heart, drive. … It reminds me of Willis, Dave DeBusschere, Bill Bradley, Dick Barnett, Cazzie Russell. I’m going back. I’m old, though.”
“Finally, 27 years, 27 years, we here and we ain’t finished. We ain’t finished. I said we were going to the Finals. We’re going to win the Finals! We’re going to win the Finals! Go New York, Go New York, Go. Contain myself, I’m cool. Four more, four more, four more.”
"Everywhere we go, it's like the Garden."
Josh Hart on the New York fans travelling with them throughout the postseason 👏
On the Cavs preventing celebrities from buying courtside seats:
“We had bought some courtside tickets to the game, and once they found out it was superfan Fat Joe, they were like, I can’t sit courtside. New York Knicks fans can’t sit courtside. They took the tickets away courtside after we purchased it, so shame on you all.”
