“We didn’t make pretty much any,” James Harden said when asked what decided the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Eastern Conference finals loss to the New York Knicks after a 130-93 defeat on Monday night ended the series in a four-game sweep.
Harden repeatedly returned to one explanation for Cleveland’s exit: shot-making. The veteran guard said the Cavaliers generated opportunities but failed to convert them, while New York capitalized throughout the series.
“I’ll say shot making,” Harden said. “I think they made shots, some obviously open and some just tough shots. And I don’t think we made pretty much any.”
The Knicks reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 after dominating Cleveland in transition and on the glass in Game 4, finishing with a 32-5 edge in second-chance points and a 33-9 advantage in fast-break scoring. Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges added 15 points apiece.
Harden finished with 12 points on 2-for-8 shooting, while Donovan Mitchell scored 31 to lead Cleveland. Still, Harden believed the final margin did not fully reflect the teams.
“Obviously they dominated us,” Harden said. “But I don’t know if I can necessarily answer that question just because genuinely I do feel like we are the better team, but series wise it didn’t show it.”
The former MVP argued Cleveland never played at its offensive standard and pointed to playoff wear after consecutive seven-game series against Toronto and Detroit before facing a rested Knicks group.
“The first two series we had opportunities to handle the series much quicker and we didn’t take advantage of it,” Harden said. “Which trickled down to having to go to two Game 7s. Which is difficult to now face a team who’s offensively playing extremely well and rested.”
Harden cited blown opportunities throughout the postseason, including Cleveland surrendering a 22-point fourth-quarter lead in Game 1 against New York.
“It’s a few for all of us that I feel like if we taking care of business we’re not in this situation,” he said. “But in reality we are where we are right now.”
Even after a difficult ending, Harden described the season as progress for a Cavaliers team that had not reached the conference finals without LeBron James in more than three decades.
“I think we accomplished a lot,” Harden said. “Still short of the goal, but I think we accomplished getting to the conference finals. Now there’s another level to get to, maybe two levels to get to.”
The veteran also made his intentions for the offseason clear when asked about his future with Cleveland and a looming contract option.
“Yes, 100% definitely both,” Harden said when asked if he wants to remain with the Cavaliers and expects to be back next season. “I definitely want to be here. I think we found some.”
Harden also praised coach Kenny Atkinson after criticism followed the sweep.
“Ultimate players coach,” Harden said. “He gets it. He understands his team. I think for Kenny he did an unbelievable job of getting me acclimated as fast as possible.”
After 17 NBA seasons, Harden said the focus remains unchanged despite another postseason disappointment.
“I’ll keep pushing and keep pushing until I can’t play anymore,” he said. “We’ll see when that happens.”
