Knicks merchandise appears each spring in New York City, but early enthusiasm can feel like stolen valor for those who endured past seasons. The usual pain includes watching turnovers, draft-day disappointments, the concept of Mike Sweetney, postseason flameouts, squandered leads, sputtering fourth quarters, apocalyptic injuries, and other humiliations. In spring 2026, the Knicks clinched an NBA Finals spot by sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers, at least two games before the opponent was known. The playoff run has brought relief because the team has not lost, and fans have not needed to closely watch late-game collapses. The prospect of having nothing to complain about feels surreal.
"The masochists among us are able to watch the Knicks' current playoff run with the blithe ease of the casual, with the same slack grins on our faces. Nobody's sweating. An entire month of the NBA postseason has passed, and I have not seen the Knicks lose. I have not needed to pay close attention to the end of regulation, or entire second halves, because they've been clobbering teams with such regularity."
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