New York closed out a 4-0 Eastern Conference Finals sweep with a 130-93 Game 4 rout in Cleveland, and the Knicks now sit at +220 (American) / 3.20 (decimal) on FanDuel to win the franchise’s first NBA title since 1973.
The New York Knicks completed a clean sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 25, 2026, winning Game 4 130-93 in Cleveland to clinch their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. Series MVP Jalen Brunson averaged 25.5 points and 7.8 assists. New York now waits for Tuesday’s Game 5 between Oklahoma City and San Antonio. Game 1 tips 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, on ABC.
Key Facts:
• Final Game 4 score: New York Knicks 130, Cleveland Cavaliers 93 — May 25, 2026 (ESPN)
• NBA Finals futures, FanDuel (American / decimal): Thunder +100 / 2.00, Knicks +220 / 3.20, Spurs +270 / 3.70 — CBS Sports
• Jalen Brunson: unanimous ECF MVP, 25.5 PPG / 7.8 APG / 3.3 RPG / 48.7% FG — NBA.com
• Knicks finished 53-29 (3rd seed) and enter the Finals on an 11-game winning streak — CBS Sports
• Western Conference Finals tied 2-2; Game 5 in Oklahoma City on May 26, 2026 — ESPN
How the Knicks closed out Cleveland
Game 4 was a wire-to-wire blowout. Towns posted 19 points and 14 rebounds, OG Anunoby added 17, and New York led at every checkpoint. Cleveland shot 38% from the field and 27% from three against the league’s third-best half-court defence. The result builds on a series that opened with New York at -245 and -7.5 in Game 1 — lines that turned into a four-game cleanout once Brunson’s pull-up fell at 49%.
Where the NBA Finals futures sit
FanDuel’s three-way Finals market reads Thunder +100 (2.00), Knicks +220 (3.20), Spurs +270 (3.70). DraftKings was longer on New York earlier in the week — Knicks +410 on May 23 — so the sweep has shortened the price by close to 190 American cents. OKC, which entered May a sub-(-200) title favourite, has been forced to a Game 5 in a tougher Spurs series than its market priced.
“Find a way. We got some stops, kept fighting, kept believing,” said Jalen Brunson, point guard, New York Knicks. (NBA.com)
The contrast with the West is striking: Thunder were at -180 title odds as the conference finals opened, the Knicks a +900 long shot. Two weeks later, prices have collapsed toward each other in a way that should make the Finals series line more competitive than a typical East-West gap.
What happens between now and Game 1
New York sits through up to a 10-day layoff if Thunder-Spurs goes seven. Long breaks hurt continuity but reset starters’ minutes — Towns and Brunson are both averaging 40+. Expect Knicks money-line around +130 if they draw OKC, or pick’em against San Antonio.
Picks & Predictions
Favourite: Thunder at +100 American / 2.00 decimal on FanDuel for the title; Knicks +220 (3.20); Spurs +270 (3.70). +220 implies a 31.3% Knicks probability — generous given OKC still needs two more wins to reach Game 1.
Predicted result: Knicks beat Thunder in 7 if the WCF reaches Game 7, or Knicks beat Spurs in 6 if San Antonio advances. New York went 32-9 at Madison Square Garden in the regular season and 7-1 at home this postseason.
Prop bets worth a look:
- Jalen Brunson Finals MVP at +750 on DraftKings — unanimous ECF MVP on 48.7% shooting.
- Karl-Anthony Towns over 22.5 series rebounds-per-game at -115 — Towns averaged 11.5 RPG vs. Cleveland.
- Series over 5.5 games at -130 — only one of the last six Finals has ended inside five games.
What to fade: Knicks 4-1 series price at +650. The juice doesn’t compensate for a 10-day layoff plus a Thunder side with elite half-court offence.
Odds correct as of May 26, 2026. Informational only — not financial or betting advice. 18+ / 21+ depending on jurisdiction. See Responsible Gambling notice below.
FAQ
Q: When does the 2026 NBA Finals start?
A: Game 1 tips 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, on ABC. The Knicks host the Western Conference winner.
Q: How did Knicks Finals odds shift after the sweep?
A: New York moved from roughly +410 / 5.10 on May 23 (DraftKings) to +220 / 3.20 on May 26 (FanDuel) — a swing of about 190 cents.
Q: Where are these markets legal?
A: NBA Finals futures are available at licensed books in regulated US markets including New York (NYSGC), New Jersey (NJDGE), Pennsylvania (PGCB), Massachusetts (MGC), and Ontario (AGCO).
Gambling carries financial risk and can be addictive. If you or someone you know needs help, visit GamCare (UK), call 1-800-GAMBLER (US), or see our Responsible Gambling page. 18+ / 21+ depending on jurisdiction.
