NBA

Projected as one of the favorites to come out of the East before the season began, the Cavaliers earned their first conference finals appearance since 2018. However, they weren’t particularly competitive after blowing a 22-point lead in the series opener, with the Knicks beating Cleveland by 37 points in Monday’s Game 4. The sweep and the amount of money locked up among the team’s stars led some to speculate about the futures of Atkinson and the team’s lead executive, Koby Altman. However, reports on Tuesday are that both are expected to remain in their respective posts for the 2026-27 season. What Atkinson’s roster for next season will look like is up in the air. Donovan Mitchell is extension eligible this summer, while James Harden has a player option worth just over $42.3 million. Both guards spoke highly of Atkinson during their respective media availability following Game 4.

Mosley, who was fired by the Magic shortly after their ouster from the NBA Playoffs, was not unemployed for long, as the Pelicans decided to bring him on board. One of his tasks in New Orleans will be to help Williamson tap into his full potential. “He hasn’t even scratched the surface of things he can do,” Mosley told reporters, according to ESPN. “I really do believe that. And I think being able to open the floor up more for him, attacking, being able to play him in different positions, because he’s an excellent basketball player with a high IQ for playmaking, for making guys around him better, knowing when to make plays and the right passes to make.” While he was given some playmaking responsibilities by previous coaches, Zion’s inability to stay healthy limited his overall output. The injury history means Williamson’s fantasy draft outlook won’t be much affected by Mosley’s words. However, the new head coach’s willingness to give Zion more responsibility should bode well for the forward’s immediate future in New Orleans.

While Allen was able to put up some numbers defensively in Game 4, he offered little else in the 130-93 defeat. After going on an 18-0 run during Game 3, the Knicks blew open Monday’s series finale with a 20-0 run to send Cleveland into the offseason. The franchise can sell the fact of reaching the conference finals for the first time since 2018 as progress, and that would be accurate. However, the way Cleveland was dominated after Game 1 will raise questions. Playing in a lineup that includes Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Evan Mobley limits Allen’s fantasy ceiling. Still, he should once again offer a relatively safe top-75 floor if the Cavaliers decide to run it back with this core.

After scoring 24 points in Game 3, Mobley’s offensive production decreased in his final appearance of the 2025-26 season. To say that his first conference finals appearance was a learning experience would be an understatement. While Mobley did show flashes of the player who can be a cornerstone for the Cavaliers for years to come, he has to be more consistent. Expected by many fantasy managers to approach top-25 value before the season began, Mobley was a fifth-round player during the regular season. And with this sweep, there may be questions this offseason about the viability of his frontcourt partnership with Jarrett Allen.

Harden struggled throughout the Eastern Conference Finals, and Monday’s 130-93 defeat was no different. In addition to shooting 25 percent from the field, the veteran guard was a brutal 0-of-6 from beyond the arc. And for the 33rd time in his postseason career, Harden finished a game with more turnovers (five) than made field goals. He has a player option for 2026-27 worth just over $42.3 million, but there’s always the possibility that Harden and the Cavaliers agree to an extension with a lower annual salary. From the trade deadline onward, he provided second-round value in eight-cat formats. Expecting similar production from Harden next season would be realistic, even with the poor showing in the conference finals.

Shamet came off the bench and lit up the Cavaliers for 16 points on six attempts. He was 11-of-12 from behind the three-point line in the Knicks’ four-game sweep of the Cavaliers. Shamet has certainly opened some eyes with his shooting in this series and should continue to play 15-20 minutes per game in the NBA Finals.

Mitchell had 31 points on 18 attempts, but was also -23 in 32 minutes as the Cavaliers’ season ended with a 130-93 loss to the Knicks at home in Game 4. Mitchell had four turnovers and James Harden and Evan Mobley combined for eight turnovers. He was named to the All-NBA second-team over the weekend and becomes extension-eligible this summer. Mitchell is headed towards an offseason of uncertainty as questions about the future direction of the team will have to be answered.

Brunson had 15 points, five assists and was +16 in 31 minutes in Game 4 on Monday. The 29-year-old point guard led the Knicks to their first NBA Finals in 27 years. Brunson had 38 points in Game 1, 19 points and 14 assists in Game 2 and 30 points in Game 3. The Knicks completed their second series sweep in a row and just the fourth sweep in a seven-game series in franchise history. Over the weekend, Brunson was named to the All-NBA second team.

Towns was efficient with 19 points on 11 attempts in Game 4 as the Knicks completed a sweep of the Cavaliers and advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years. Towns was +25 in 26 minutes as New York dominated from the start of the game, leading by 19 points at halftime. The Knicks will have eight full days off before the NBA Finals, where they’ll face the winner of the Western Conference finals.

Schröder popped up on the injury report as questionable with an illness just hours before game-time and was subsequently ruled out. It’s a difficult development for the Cavaliers to weather while already trailing 3-0 in the series. It’s unclear who will step into Schröder’s vacated bench minutes, though Keon Ellis is a likely candidate.