Knicks Defeat Cavaliers 121–108 in Game 3, Take 3–0 Eastern Conference Finals Lead

The New York Knicks strengthened their grip on the Eastern Conference Finals with a 121–108 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3, pushing their series lead to 3–0 and putting them one win away from the NBA Finals.

The win came in Cleveland and continued a dominant stretch for New York in the series. With the victory, the Knicks are now on the brink of their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.

Game 3 Final Score

• New York Knicks: 121
• Cleveland Cavaliers: 108

New York established control early and never gave it up. The Knicks opened the game with a strong first quarter and maintained the advantage through the remainder of the contest.

Quarter-by-Quarter

• 1st Quarter: Knicks 37, Cavaliers 27
• 2nd Quarter: Knicks 23, Cavaliers 27
• 3rd Quarter: Knicks 31, Cavaliers 28
• 4th Quarter: Knicks 30, Cavaliers 26

The 10‑point first‑quarter cushion allowed New York to dictate the pace for the rest of the night. Cleveland briefly matched the Knicks in the second quarter but never closed the gap enough to seriously threaten the lead.

Key Performers

New York’s offense was led by its backcourt star and a balanced supporting cast.

• Jalen Brunson: 30 points to lead all scorers.
• Mikal Bridges: 22 points in support of Brunson’s scoring effort.

Their production helped the Knicks maintain consistent offensive pressure while controlling the game from the perimeter and in transition.

Series Outlook

With the win, New York now leads the Eastern Conference Finals 3–0, putting Cleveland on the brink of elimination.

Game 4 is scheduled for May 25, 2026, again in Cleveland. A Knicks victory would clinch the series and send New York to the NBA Finals.

For the Cavaliers, the challenge is now historic: no NBA team has ever come back from a 3–0 deficit in a playoff series. New York, meanwhile, is just one win away from completing a dominant conference finals run.

As the series shifts to Game 4, the Knicks will look to finish the job and secure a long-awaited return to the league’s biggest stage.