Eastern Conference Finals Series Preview

Cameron Kelly Updated: May 18 2026 20:12

The Eastern Conference Finals are set, and the spotlight now shifts to the New York Knicks as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Both franchises battle for a trip to the NBA Finals.

The New York Knicks

The Knicks enter the series riding momentum after a dominant playoff run built on defensive toughness, rebounding, and energy.

The Knicks have been exceptionally dominant winning playoff series games by 25 or more points.

The New York Knicks swept the Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The Knicks also had a strong series against the Atlanta Hawks winning 4-2 in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

Jalen Brunson has remained the offensive engine of the Knicks postseason run averaging 27.4 points per game. His late-game shot creation and ability to control tempo helped sweep the 76ers.

Karl-Anthony Towns has delivered a dominant rebound performance so far in the playoffs averaging 10.0 a game. Towns ability to gain possessions back has been a huge part of the Knicks success so far.

The Knicks have not reached the NBA Finals since 1999. They will hope to start the series strong with the first two games at Madison Square Garden, where the energy from the home crowd could help build early momentum.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland arrives to New York with confidence after surviving a hard-fought seven-game series against the Pistons.

The Cavaliers feature one of the league's most balanced lineups, combining strong interior play with perimeter scoring and disciplined defense.

The Cavaliers have proven their resilience since the beginning of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Defeating the Toronto Raptors in a seven-game series in Round 1.

Veteran star James Harden is a high-impact addition who joined the team in February of 2026.

Donovan Mitchell, has been averaging 27.8 points per game so far this playoff season. Mitchell has maintained the ability to deliver timely perimeter shots and create opportunities under pressure.

He remains the centerpiece of their offense. While Darius Garland has brought quick and sudden changes of pace against opponents that help control the tempo of games. Garland's ability to break down defenders will be something to look out for in this Knicks series.

The Cans last reached the NBA Finals in 2018 during LeBron James' second stint with the franchise. Cleveland will now look to return to the finals for the first time in eight years as the team prepares for another battle against the Knicks.