In the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks have dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers, taking a 3-0 lead in the series. The Knicks are one win away from advancing to the NBA Finals, and the NFL world had plenty of thoughts about the one-sided series.
Robert Griffin III and Shannon Sharpe led a wave of reactions from past and present NFL players.
Robert Griffin III, NFL Players Share Thoughts on Knicks’ Game 3 Beatdown of Cavaliers
New York handled Cleveland 121-108 in Game 3 on Saturday, grabbing a 3-0 stranglehold in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson led the way with 30 points, while Mikal Bridges added 22 points. OG Anunoby added 21 points as New York earned their 10th straight victory in the playoffs. With one more win, they will advance to their first NBA Finals since 1999. With a run like that, the NFL world had plenty to say, with RGIII leading the way.
“The New York Knicks made the Cavs quit,” RGIII wrote on X.
The New York Knicks made the Cavs quit.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 24, 2026
Griffin doubled down and revealed the moment this series ended.
“The Cleveland Cavaliers lost this series against the New York Knicks in Game 1,” a nod to Cleveland blowing a 22-point fourth-quarter lead in the series opener.
The Cleveland Cavaliers lost this series against the New York Knicks in Game 1.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 24, 2026
Griffin’s podcast account “OuttaPocket with RGIII” also got in on the fun, taking aim at Cavaliers guard James Harden. The account shared a clip of Stewie Griffin shutting off the lights and crying himself to sleep, captioned, “James Harden fans tonight:”
Harden has been a non-factor defensively all series, while averaging 17.3 points, 3.3 assists, and 4.0 turnovers and shooting 41.3% from the field, 22.7% from the 3-point range, and 75.0% from the free-throw line.
James Harden fans tonight: https://t.co/NGr2osEb7E
— Outta Pocket with RGIII (@OuttaPocketRG3) May 24, 2026
“Bussin’ With The Boys,” the podcast hosted by former NFL players Taylor Lewan and Will Compton, focused on another viral moment from the night: Kansas City Chiefs tight end (and big Cavaliers fan) Travis Kelce chugging his beer, hyping up the crowd as Taylor Swift looked on in embarrassment.
“Tight ends chug beer at sporting events,” the account posted. “It’s part of the job.”
Tight ends chug beer at sporting events. It’s part of the job pic.twitter.com/XkG68zCEF6
— Bussin’ With The Boys (@BussinWTB) May 24, 2026
Sharpe, the legendary NFL tight end, turned serious by calling out Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell on “Nightcap.”
“Donovan Mitchel is shooting 69% from the free-throw line in the series… At some point in time, bro, you’re leaving a lot to be desired from your postseason play, based on the regular season resume that you built for yourself,” Sharpe said. “I’m telling you, nobody cares about that, bro.”
He argued that Mitchell needs to step up in the postseason if he wants to be considered one of the greats.
“You’re gonna have to deliver in the postseason because all the greats have had to do it,” Sharpe said. “And if you want to be considered one of the great players, you’re gonna have to have moments in the postseason.”
Unc, Ocho, and Joe talk what Donovan Mitchell needs to do if he wants to be considered one of the greats…and it starts with his numbers 💯@ShannonSharpe @ochocinco @TheJoeJohnson7 pic.twitter.com/lYenZiNsCK
— Nightcap (@NightcapShow_) May 24, 2026
The numbers behind New York’s surge are staggering. Only four teams have ever won more than 10 consecutive playoff games: the 2017 Warriors (15), the 1999 Spurs (12), the 2001 Lakers (11), and the 1989 Lakers (11).
The Knicks have outscored opponents by 225 points across a 10-game playoff winning streak. Four of the Knicks’ five starters shot above 50% in Game 3, with Bridges, Anunoby, and Brunson each scoring over 20 points.
Cleveland has cratered, and they are in a rough shooting slump, going 12-of-41 (29.2%) from deep on Saturday and hitting just 30% from 3-point range in the series. Evan Mobley led the Cavs with 24 points, Mitchell had 23 points, while Harden chipped in 19.
Things look tough for Cleveland, as no team has ever erased a 3-0 deficit. Game 4 is set for 8 p.m. ET on Monday at Rocket Arena.
