Cavs on brink of elimination after dropping Game 3 121-108 to Knicks
The Cavs rolled over in what was a must-win game.
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 23: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks during Game Three of the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals on May 23, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images CLEVELAND — The gap between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks couldn’t be wider, and I’m not sure it’s a talent issue.
The Knicks are a well-coached team that has a firm grip on what they want to do on both sides of the ball. Their spacing and offensive principles are on point. Even when shots aren’t going in, they continue to play how you’d expect a conference finalist to.
Meanwhile, the Cavs looked like the team they are — one that was scrounged together at the trade deadline in hopes of making the most out of what looked like it could be a lost year. They don’t know what their strengths are, or if they do, they don’t play to them. The Cavs deployed mostly the same game plan that worked in Game 1, but failed them in Game 2.
They cheated too far off Josh Hart, offered switches to Brunson too easily, and weren’t able to target him on the other end. The shooting would’ve offset a lot of these issues, but make no mistake, New York was the better team once again. “They were the most physical team,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said afterward.