The Knicks left Rocket Arena with high spirits, but a surprising moment unfolded during a Monday night postgame interview. Just a minute into the game, as guard Landry Shamet began his interview on ESPN’s “Inside the NBA,” most of the arena lights went out.
Shamet took the time to commend his team’s shooting prowess throughout the playoffs. He mentioned how different players can step up on any given night, highlighting Josh Hart’s notable performance even during challenging games. “It could be a deuce, it could be someone off the bench,” he added, emphasizing the team’s versatility.
Over the course of four games, Shamet recorded an impressive 11-for-12 from beyond the arc, marking a record for shooting efficiency in a single playoff series. Interestingly, the last player to achieve something similar was Kyle Korver of the Cavaliers in 2017, who made 11 of 20 against the Raptors.
Shamet’s contributions were pivotal in the Knicks’ success during the Eastern Conference Finals, particularly his crucial 3-pointer with just 47 seconds remaining in Game 1. This shot not only secured the victory in overtime but also set the tone for the series.
Ultimately, the Knicks advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, with a notable achievement of beating Cleveland by double digits in every game—a feat not accomplished since the Lakers did it in 1950.
Throughout the playoffs, the Knicks displayed a remarkable +19.4 point differential, the highest since the Golden State Warriors’ +16.3 in 2017.
Now, they face a waiting period until the finals commence on June 3rd.
As the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder compete for the Western Conference title, players and fans are eager to find out whom the Knicks will face. Nonetheless, the pursuit of an NBA championship for the Knicks is very much alive.
