Knicks secure first NBA Finals berth since 1999 as schedule released
New York completes four-game sweep of Cleveland Cavaliers with Jalen Brunson named MVP, setting up championship series against San Antonio Spurs or Oklahoma City Thunder.
The New York Knicks have advanced to the 2026 NBA Finals, marking their first appearance in the championship series since 1999. The franchise ended a 27-year drought by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals, completing a four-game sweep with a decisive 130-93 victory in the final game.
Jalen Brunson was unanimously voted the Eastern Conference finals MVP, capping a dominant postseason performance for the New York side. The Knicks’ victory was characterised by overwhelming dominance, with the team leading by as many as 45 points in the fourth quarter of the decisive match. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 19 points and 14 rebounds, while OG Anunoby added 17 points and Landry Shamet provided a significant spark off the bench with 16 points.
The Knicks are currently on an 11-game postseason winning streak, the longest in franchise history and tied for the third-longest in NBA history. This momentum carries them into the Finals, where they will await the winner of the Western Conference series between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Western Conference matchup remains undecided, with the two teams continuing their series following the Knicks’ Eastern Conference victory.
The full schedule for the 2026 NBA Finals has been released, with all games set to stream exclusively on ABC. All Finals games are scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT). The tentative schedule for the championship series is as follows: Game 1 on Wednesday, 3 June at Thunder/Spurs; Game 2 on Friday, 5 June at Thunder/Spurs; Game 3 on Monday, 8 June at Knicks; Game 4 on Wednesday, 10 June at Knicks.
Potential decisive games are scheduled for Game 5 on Saturday, 13 June at Thunder/Spurs; Game 6 on Tuesday, 16 June at Knicks; and Game 7 on Friday, 19 June at Thunder/Spurs. The series commences on Wednesday, 3 June, with the Knicks looking to capitalise on their current form against the emerging Western Conference contender.
