Knicks sweep Cavaliers to reach NBA Finals for first time since 1999

The New York Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 on Monday night to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, extending their playoff winning streak to 11 consecutive games.

Knicks fans flooded the streets around Madison Square Garden immediately after the Game 4 victory. Crowds poured onto Seventh Avenue and surrounding blocks, with some waving brooms to celebrate the sweep. One fan hoisted an American flag from the top of the Garden while crowds danced in the streets below.

The NYPD said six people were taken into custody and issued criminal court summonses outside the Garden and Radio City Music Hall during the celebrations.

The street celebrations occurred just days after the NYPD announced it would no longer support outdoor watch parties outside the Garden because of safety concerns tied to large crowds. That announcement followed Thursday night's Eastern Conference finals watch party, when police estimated 6,000 people packed the area around West 33rd Street.

The Knicks will face either the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, or the San Antonio Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama, in the Finals. The Knicks' roster includes Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart.

Three potential home games at Madison Square Garden are scheduled: Game 3 on Monday, June 8 at 8:30 p.m.; Game 4 on Wednesday, June 10 at 8:30 p.m.; and Game 6 on Tuesday, June 16 at 8:30 p.m.

Ticket prices for the Finals games at MSG have reached record levels. As of Monday, the lowest available prices on secondary markets ranged from approximately $3,200 per ticket for Games 3 and 4 in the upper deck, with some lower-level seats starting near $6,500. Game 6 tickets began at no less than $5,000 in the upper deck, with some lower-level seats available above $11,000.

The Knicks are searching for their first championship since 1973. The last time they reached the Finals was in 1999, when they lost to the San Antonio Spurs.

An anonymous bettor at BetMGM capitalized on the Knicks' playoff run through a ladder betting strategy, accumulating more than $1 million in winnings on 25 spread bets throughout the Cavaliers series. The bettor wagered $3.6 million across publicly tracked bets and earned $1.7 million in total profit.

Stock in Madison Square Garden Sports rose following the Knicks' advancement to the Finals.