Knicks’ Historic Run to the NBA Finals

When everything came together, it sparked an incredible turnaround for the Knicks.

A mix of bursts of scoring, emotional highs, and dramatic moments defined the Knicks’ journey, leading them to the 2026 playoffs—a truly memorable six weeks.

As they head into the NBA Finals starting Wednesday, the Knicks are riding high with an 11-game winning streak, boasting a margin of 262 points against their rivals.

During this time, the team experienced impressive scoring runs, building such momentum that they ended a game against the Hawks with a record of 63-11 in Game 6 of the first round.

OG Anunoby mentioned that these scoring streaks seem to be contagious, highlighting a blend of successful shots, ball movement, forced turnovers, and stops on defense.

“It’s cumulative,” Anunoby added. The Knicks’ dominance was a key factor as they prepared for their first Finals appearance since 1999.

“It’s fantastic when everything clicks during a game,” said Karl-Anthony Towns after practice in Tarrytown. He emphasized how remaining focused has been crucial during these playoffs, ultimately leading them to this moment of discussing the Finals.

Game 6 against the Hawks was particularly remarkable, where they recorded the largest halftime lead in playoff history and set a new franchise record for points in a postseason game.

Despite this, they had a slow start in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, trailing by 22 points before ultimately tying with the Cavaliers at 44-11.

Jalen Brunson contributed 15 points in that game, while Landry Shamet hit a critical corner shot to tie it up and force overtime, where Anunoby added another nine points.

The Knicks executed an 18-0 run in the third quarter of Game 3 against the Cavaliers, and almost put Game 4 away with a 20-0 run in the second quarter.

Additionally, smaller yet pivotal moments like a 17-5 run in the closing frame of Game 2 against the 76ers helped solidify their lead, preventing the game from turning too tight.

Brunson has consistently been able to ignite his own scoring spurts, but these opportunities can be fragile.

“The team’s making sacrifices while emphasizing connection and trust because if someone’s on the bench during a run, they might miss their chance to contribute,” head coach Mike Brown noted.

“If you’re open and don’t get the pass, it’s crucial not to get upset. Otherwise, your focus drifts away from what’s needed defensively,” he pointed out.

As they face potential challenges in the Finals, the Knicks might encounter counterattacks.

It’s possible they won’t always maintain their scoring or rest starters effectively in the fourth quarter.

Yet, they’ve demonstrated an impressive knack for creating and sustaining momentum without external interruptions.

“Unpredictable things can happen during these runs,” Brown remarked about a team with momentum.