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Knicks' team-oriented approach takes them to NBA Finals
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) holds the 2026 Eastern Conference trophy after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena. David Richard-Imagn Images

Knicks' team-oriented approach takes them to NBA Finals

For decades, the New York Knicks focused their efforts on attracting a superstar to play in the Big Apple. Now they're back in the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years, thanks to building a true team.

The Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, 130-93, winning their 11th straight playoff game, all but one by a double-digit margin. They did it by embracing an unselfish, team-oriented attitude that has been reminiscent of the last Knicks championship team in 1973.

New York Knicks won with teamwork

The Knicks had 33 assists in Game 4 and averaged 28 assists per game for the series. That unselfish play made the Knicks extremely difficult to guard, and also empowered their reserves by their team-wide commitment to finding the open man and the best shot, no matter who it was.

In Game 4, six different Knicks scored in double figures. Eight different Knicks scored in the first quarter. Landry Shamet went 4-for-4 from three-point range, finishing the series going 11-for-12 from distance while also guarding Cleveland's leading scorer, Donovan Mitchell.

Some of this was due to the extended amount of garbage time in the blowout win, but it's remarkable that 11 different Knicks had assists in a closeout game.

That's how the Knicks shot over 50 percent for a series featuring Jarrett Allen and 2025 Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley. Under new head coach Mike Brown, the Knicks installed a new motion-heavy, pass-heavy offense. Players bought in, with the prime example being Karl-
Anthony Towns
(19 points, 14 rebounds in Game 4), who only averaged 15.8 points but shot 54 percent and grabbed 12 boards, and gave out four assists for the series, and still stayed aggressive.

New York Knicks were opportunistic in Game 4

The passing and teamwork stood out for the Knicks in the conference finals, just as they did versus the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers in previous rounds. But they also simply out-hustled the Cavaliers in Game 4, even in a game that was a must-win for Cleveland and a nice-to-win-but-no-big-rush for New York.

In the first half, the Cavaliers scored three points in transition. The Knicks scored 26. The Knicks simply outran their opponents throughout the game, scoring on fast breaks off of rebounds and even making baskets, getting free points just by running hard.

The combination of hustle, sharing the ball and relentless perimeter defense from the trio of OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart is making the Knicks a very difficult team to beat. No matter which powerhouse emerges from the Western Conference, the Knicks have to feel confident after playing like champions for 11 straight games.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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