By Joey Endres
In unexpected fashion, the New York Knicks blew passed the Cleveland Cavaliers winning their series 4-1, taking the last three games. I certainly thought it was going to be one of the more entertaining seven-game series of the playoffs, though I was expecting the Cavs to win and move on with the more impressive starting lineup of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert, and Evan Mobley.
However, the Knicks’ wildcards and bench really stepped up. The Knicks have been able to really show off their overlooked depth with solid performances from Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, Immanuel Quickley, and Obi Toppin at key moments in the series. This is the Knicks’ first Eastern Conference semifinals in 10 years. They are led by guard Jalen Brunson. His performance this series is really what propelled them past the Donovan-Mitchell-led Cavs. Brunson recorded 23 points, had four assists, and four rebounds in the Game 5 win. Knicks’ forwards Julius Randle and RJ Barrett, who have been notably unreliable in the past, were able to make their mark on the series, putting up good numbers across the board, notably RJ Barrett with a 26-point night in Game 4 to put the Knick up 3-1.
Joey Endres is a Junior at UW Oshkosh majoring in Radio TV Film
