Knicks on verge of ending 53-year championship drought after sweep of Cavaliers

Flashback to Game 1 of this year’s Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks trailed the Cavaliers by 22 points at one point in the second half and it looked like New York would begin the series trailing Cleveland 1-0.

However, the Knicks battled back in Game 1 and took the Cavs to overtime, eventually winning 115-104. It was the first of four straight victories, giving New York a sweep and setting themselves up for their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.

With an absolute blowout, 130-93, to win Game 4 against Cleveland, the Knicks are one series victory away from ending a 53-year championship drought.

Flashback over half a century further and New York also started a playoff series off rough, losing Game 1 of the 1973 NBA Finals 115-112 against the Los Angeles Lakers.

It was the only blip in the series for the Knicks, however, as they won the next four games and finished the year as champions.

Now, fast forward back to 2026 as New York has a chance to end five decades of waiting when they face the winner of the Western Conference Finals between the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs.

The Knicks will begin on the road regardless of who they play in the NBA Finals as they are the third seed in the East, while San Antonio is No. 2 in the West and OKC is No. 1.

With the West Finals tied 2-2, the NBA futures board currently has the Thunder listed as favourites to win the NBA championship, followed by the Knicks and the Spurs.

You can stream Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals on Sportsnet in Canada and you can see our full preview and score prediction here.