Karl-Anthony Towns sends warning to Thunder, Spurs after Knicks clinch trip to NBA Finals

The New York Knicks turned Game 4 of their Eastern Conference Finals matchup versus the Cleveland Cavaliers into a complete laugher, as the Knicks routed the Cavs to the tune of 130-93 to clinch a series sweep and book the franchise's first trip to the NBA Finals since 1999.

Following the victory, Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns sent somewhat of a warning to the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder about the championship series that won't get underway until June 3.

Knicks have learned from recent history about having a layoff

"This team is hungry, that's the most important thing," Towns explained, per John Flanigan of SNY. "Even with this amazing, historical win tonight, the celebrations were minimal. We want to get back to work -- we know what happened last time we had the layoff, so we talked right after the game about preparing. That's what makes this special, and that's what'll give us a chance to win the next series."

Towns was referencing how the Knicks previously wrapped up a sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers on May 10 and then had to wait nine days to open the Eastern Conference Finals showdown with Cleveland. The Knicks trailed the Cavaliers by 22 points in the fourth quarter of Game 1, but New York then rallied back to earn a thrilling 115-104 overtime win.

The Knicks have now notched 11 consecutive victories going back to their first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks. Meanwhile, the Western Conference Finals between the Thunder and Spurs is knotted up at two games apiece. Game 5 of that series will take place on Tuesday night. 

Knicks are chasing history amid lengthy winning streak

"We've gotten to this point because we've worked together as a group," Towns added. "You can go down the line of guys who have had special moments in this run -- [Knicks captain Jalen Brunson] deserves the MVP. He had an amazing series and does what he always does. It's been a team that's won this game. The defense we've played as a team, we've hit shots as a team, we've put each other in positions to success -- and as a result, we're finding ourselves with this hat, shirt, trophy, and a chance to cement ourselves in history."

As Flanigan noted, Brunson averaged 25.5 points, 7.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds over the four wins against Cleveland. Knicks fans may now spend the better part of the next week dreaming about the club possibly claiming its first NBA title since 1973, but it sounds like Towns and Co. won't be taking many victory laps and instead will get to work regarding upcoming games against either the Thunder or the Spurs.

"It's a magical thing, it's a historic thing. It's something New York has been dying for, for a long time," Towns said about the Knicks advancing to the NBA Finals, per ESPN's Vincent Goodwill. "I know how this team works. It's OK for New York, the fans, us, our families, to enjoy this moment and be jubilant about this. But for us as players, the job is not done."