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Why historic nature of Knicks' playoff run extends far beyond drought
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Why historic nature of Knicks' playoff run extends far beyond drought

By Mike J. Asti  |  Last updated May 26, 2026 11:38 AM ET
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Reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 would be historic for the New York Knicks, no matter how they pulled it off. 

However, just winning the Eastern Conference title doesn't come close to telling the full story of the Knicks' run throughout the 2026 playoffs. On Monday, New York completed its second consecutive series sweep to lift the Larry Bird Trophy as the Eastern Conference champions. A total team effort without even one 20-point scorer led the Knicks to a 130-93 victory on the road over the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

The Knicks have been at their best with a chance to close out a series 

And having won every game of their sweep of the Cavaliers in convincing fashion, the Knicks became the first team since the 1950 Minneapolis Lakers to win every game of the round before the NBA Finals by double digits, and only the third team to ever advance in that manner. 

New York's dominance started well before the conference finals, too. The Knicks have been at their best with a chance to eliminate a team all postseason, putting up a margin of victory in close-out games of +51 against the Atlanta Hawks, +30 in the conference semifinals and then +37 on Monday night.

Adding pieces of history along the way, New York's 22-point comeback in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals set a new franchise record. It also matched the most threes ever converted by a team in a playoff game with 25 in Game 4 against the Philadelphia 76ers. 

The Knicks' win streak is historic and has a chance to tie a league record 

Now riding an 11-game win streak, the Knicks currently own a share of the third-longest win streak in a single postseason. The only teams of the past to win more games in a row during a playoff run are the 1999 San Antonio Spurs, who then ironically beat the Knicks in the Finals, with 12, and the 2017 Golden State Warriors with 15. A third straight series sweep en route to a championship would result in the Knicks sharing the record with the Warriors. 

No team has been as dominant as the Knicks to this point through a playoff run 

But even going a step further than those champions, New York has just bulldozed its competition to a level never seen before in league history. Out of the Knicks' 12 wins so far, they have 10 by double digits and five by at least 20 points. 

While there's still one more step to go in order to fully achieve the franchise's goal and end the Knicks' 53-year title drought, this Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns-led team already has a place in NBA history secured. 

Mike J. Asti
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Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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