The Eastern Conference Finals tip off at Madison Square Garden on May 19, with the Knicks hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers for a shot at the NBA Finals.
Both teams have already been talking, and the words coming out of the Knicks’ camp are worth paying attention to.
Reporter Kristian Winfield shared quotes from both Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart on X, and neither one sugarcoated what this series is going to look like.
What Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson Said About the Cavaliers
GettyJalen Brunson and Josh Hart Speak Out Ahead of Knicks vs Cavaliers Game 1
Brunson set the tone first: “Tough team. Well coached. A lot of guys over there with playoff experience. It’s gonna be a tough battle.”
Hart then gave his honest read on Mitchell specifically, and it was just as direct.
“He’s an extremely talented offensive player. He takes tough shots and he has the talent and the ability to make those tough shots.”
Hart is not guessing here. He has played all 10 postseason games, averaging 10.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.6 steals, and he has seen enough good offensive players this playoffs to know Mitchell is a different level.
Mitchell had two 30-point games against the Knicks in the regular season and he just scored 26 in a game 7 victory over Detroit, in which Cleveland was physically dominant and made it to the ECF for the first time since 2018.
Donovan Mitchell’s On Facing Knicks
GettyKnicks Stars Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart React to Cavaliers Matchup Before Game 1
Mitchell had his own things to say. After Cleveland advanced, he appeared on Amazon Prime’s Nightcap and gave a full breakdown of what he sees in New York.
“They got a lot of talent. I think they’re peaking at the right time. Yeah, I think a lot of guys are playing well over there. Obviously, you have Jalen Brunson, the head of the snake, and Karl-Anthony Towns, but Mikal and OG are equally as dangerous. That’s what we’re starting to see: Josh Hart’s a dog. We know them very well and understand that it’s gonna be a dogfight.”
Then he went further, making sure nobody misread Cleveland’s mindset coming in.
“Might have another Game 7. It’s gonna be a dogfight on the boards, on defense, communication, and we got a lot of respect for them. But we got to go out there and compete and do what we do and not be satisfied, and we’re not. We will be ready to go in two days.”
Mitchell also highlighted the rest gap, saying that New York has been off for what seems like weeks while Cleveland only managed to grind through two straight seven-game series.
New York plays the first game of the series at home, has a healthy roster, and is riding a seven-game winning streak.
Cleveland arrives motivated and totally focused. Both sides already have an intimate knowledge of what the battle will be.
Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart Send Strong Message Before Knicks-Cavaliers Game 1