Although excitement is building throughout New York over the chance to see the franchise reach the NBA Finals for the first time in nearly three decades, the team itself is intentionally avoiding any celebration before the job is finished, Steve Popper of Newsday writes.
Players have stressed that their preparation and mentality heading into Monday’s Game 4 in Cleveland will remain identical to every other postseason matchup, with all attention centered on closing out the series rather than looking ahead.
“We don’t wanna get ahead of ourselves, because as soon as we start getting ahead of ourselves, that’s when disaster always occurs, it seems,” head coach Mike Brown said.
“And so for us, starting with me, making sure everybody in the organization on down understands it’s about the next game. And really, it’s about the next possession.
“And I try to block out everything else as best I can and not think about ‘what ifs,’ because I know for me, it would distract me 100% at this time of the year.”
Knicks Notes: Brown, Towns, Shamet, Anunoby, Winning Streak https://t.co/ucdTbZEu03
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) May 25, 2026
