Stephen A. Smith Reacts to Knicks ECF Run With Bold Prediction

The New York Knicks are playing their best basketball of the season at the perfect time, completing a dominant sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

They closed out the final two games of the series with standout play from OG Anunoby, who was performing at a high level before suffering a Grade 1 hamstring strain. His status will be key heading into the ECF matchup against either the Detroit Pistons or Cleveland Cavaliers.

With several days off before their next game, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith is now fully backing New York after earlier concerns in the first round against the Atlanta Hawks.

During "First Take," Smith made a bold prediction, saying the Knicks will not only reach the NBA Finals but win the championship for the first time since 1973.

"New York Knicks going to the Finals. I think they can win the championship, yes I do … I'm taking the Knicks to win the title. We winning the chip," Smith said.

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The New York Knicks reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season but fell short against the Indiana Pacers, giving them another opportunity to bounce back and reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.

In the current postseason picture, the Detroit Pistons hold a 2-1 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers, with the winner set to face New York in the next round.

The Eastern Conference Finals are currently scheduled to begin on May 19, giving the Knicks over a week to prepare. However, if the ongoing series ends early, the start date could potentially move up to May 17.

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This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 1:27 PM.