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NBA conference finals preview: What matters most i...
Key takeaways
- The 2026 NBA playoffs have reached the conference finals, with two epic matchups to decide which two teams will battle for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
- The East finals feature two franchises -- the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers -- that were picked as preseason co-favorites to win the conference.
- They finished off their second-round sweep eight days ago, while the Cavs had to win a Game 7 on the road to advance.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
The 2026 NBA playoffs have reached the conference finals, with two epic matchups to decide which two teams will battle for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
The East finals feature two franchises -- the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers -- that were picked as preseason co-favorites to win the conference. Now, stars such as Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Donovan Mitchell and James Harden will decide that title on the court.
The Knicks have had plenty of time to prepare. They finished off their second-round sweep eight days ago, while the Cavs had to win a Game 7 on the road to advance.
Article preview — originally published by ESPN. Full story at the source.
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