By Eddie Castro
For the first time since 1999, the New York Knicks are heading to the NBA Finals. Last week, the Knicks not only secured their 2nd straight sweep of this postseason, but their 11th straight win, becoming the fifth team in NBA history to have 10-plus straight postseason wins.

The other teams were the 2017 Golden State Warriors (15), the 1999 San Antonio Spurs (12), and the 1989 and 2001 Spurs (11). New York has also shown it can get it done in hostile environments, winning six straight games on the road by double digits. With their 37-point rout of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4, the Knicks also became the first team in NBA history to have three series-clinching wins by 20-plus points.

The Knicks now get some much-needed rest time as they wait to see who they will face between the San Antonio Spurs and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The San Antonio Spurs, as we know, are led by their young 22-year-old French Phenom Victor Wembanyama, along with key role players such as De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle.

During the season, the Knicks and Spurs met three times, two in the regular season, in which both split their two meeting and of course, the Knicks were able to knock off the Spurs in the championship game of the mid-season NBA Cup tournament.

If the Spurs were to come out on top, it would definitely be quite the challenge for the Knicks to match up against the 7-foot-4 center. You can expect the Knicks to throw a flurry of players at Wemby, especially with Mitchell Robinson nursing a broken right pinky finger. If San Antonio were to come out in the West, the finals would be a rematch of the 1999 finals, one that Knicks fans would like to keep in the past.

On the Thunder side of things, it’s well-documented that they are the sixth-youngest team in the NBA, and they are looking to reach the finals in back-to-back years since those iconic Warrior teams. Led by now two-time league MVP Shae Gilgeous-Alexander. This well-balanced Thunder team is a very difficult match-up for opposing teams.

As much talent as their starting lineup has, their bench can also give teams nightmares, with Cason Wallace, A.J. Mitchell, Jared McCain, and two-time NBA champion Alex Caruso. The Thunder won both meetings with the Knicks in the regular season, however, it is safe to say this is an entirely different Knicks team poised with confidence, than what OKC saw back in March.

As we go to press, by this time next week, we will know which teams will be for the prestigious Larry O’Brien Trophy. The most amazing thing about the remaining teams left in this postseason is that whatever team ends up facing the Knicks, they (New York) will be the underdog despite being the hottest team this postseason. ‘The Knicks are running like a well-oiled machine and playing their best basketball at the right time. It’s not just the “captain” Jalen Brunson shining for New York, but a strong effort by the entire rotation that coach Mike Brown has put out on the floor.

Whether it’s Karl Anthony-Towns accepting his role as the team’s facilitator despite his point total down in years past. Then you have to take timely huge shots made by Mikail Bridges and a clutch three-point shot by Landry Shamet. The teams in the West might be who many are talking about; however, it should be noted that this Knicks team is very dangerous and, dare I say, capable of winning it all in 2026.

It will be their first World Championship since 1973. What we do know for sure is that whoever comes out of the West, the Knicks will begin a playoff series for the first time this postseason on the road. The higher seeds get home-field advantage. The Thunder and Spurs are seeded No. 1 and 2 respectively, while the New York is the No.3 in the East. It is definitely an exciting time in the borough of Brooklyn and the city of New York where everywhere you turn, you are sure to see someone wearing Orange and Blue.

Sports Notes: (Baseball) The Mets will begin a six-game road trip starting on Monday ( June 1) with three games vs the Seattle Mariners and three in San Diego against the Padres. After a three-game West Coast trip to Sacramento, the Yankees return to the Bronx for a three -game set against the Cleveland Guardians starting Tuesday June 2.