The New York Knicks did it, and they did it in five. In one of the most anticipated first-round playoff matchups, the Knicks eliminated Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers.
After New York beat Cleveland in Game 1, 101-97, the Cavaliers made the necessary adjustments in Game 2 for a 107-90 win. That’s the only win that Cleveland had in the series as New York went on to take the next three games for a 4-1 series win.
Not only did the Knicks end the Donovan Mitchell saga, but the win marked the first time in 10 years that the team will advance to the second round. Fans will have a few days to celebrate the accomplishment before facing either the Heat or Bucks in the second round.
Game 5 might’ve been in Cleveland, but as soon as the final buzzer sounded at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the streets of NYC erupted.
KNICKS FANS ARE OUTSIDE IN NYC!!!!! pic.twitter.com/m2aVyNKgxI
— Knicks Memes (@KnicksMemes) April 27, 2023
Along with that, you know that Stephen A. Smith took to Twitter to yell his thoughts about the Knicks.
“ONE DOWN, TWO MORE TO GO. I’M THINKING FINALS, BABY!” 🗣️
— ESPN (@espn) April 27, 2023
Stephen A is hyped about his Knicks moving on to the second round‼️
(via @stephenasmith)pic.twitter.com/Ve9d4smKsP
Stephen A. Smith celebrates monumental Knicks playoff series win
Stephen A. Smith went from saying earlier this season that he wouldn’t attend a game at the Garden while arguing with Knicks superfan Tracy Morgan to yelling about the Knicks winning a first-round playoff series. He isn’t the only person that New York has proven wrong this year.
SAS may not be liked by all Knicks fans, but it’s hard to not agree with his emotions after Game 5. Including the lucky fans that were in Cleveland to witness the series win, there are a lot of fans out there that will lose their voices after yelling in front of their television or even from celebrating with other fans in the city.
While Stephen A. is yelling about the Finals, FiveThirtyEight has New York at a four percent chance to win the championship. The Knicks would first have to advance past the Eastern Conference Semifinals and Eastern Conference Finals to make it there.
Before we get too ahead of ourselves, channel your inner Stephen A. Smith (okay, maybe not) and continue to celebrate this series win.
Knicks dealt tough injury blow as Julius Randle reaggravates left ankle
Julius Randle was having his best game of the Knicks' first-round playoff series until late in the second quarter when he reaggravated his left ankle.