NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani takes shot at Cavaliers after Knicks complete Eastern Conference Final sweep

NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani takes shot at Cavaliers after Knicks complete Eastern Conference Final sweep originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

For the first time since 1999, the Knicks are Eastern Conference champions. For New York City natives, few words have ever been sweeter.

New York has enjoyed one of the most dominant postseason runs in recent memory this year, posting a +271 scoring margin across its first three rounds of the playoffs. The Knicks shattered the previous high-water mark, eclipsing the 2017 Warriors‘ record by 75 points.

For the third time in three postseason series, New York’s closeout game took place on the road. And for the third time in three postseason series, the Knicks finished the game on top, downing the Cavaliers by 37 points.

That had the whole of the city talking, including its lead politician, Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Here’s what you need to know.

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Zohran Mamdani takes shot at Cavs after Knicks sweep

Mamdani had his say on Cleveland‘s brutal beatdown at the hands of the Knicks, enlisting the New York City’s Department of Sanitation to celebrate the occasion.

The department responded in kind, acknowledging Mamdani’s bit and adding a bit more venom to the insult.

New York put the hurting to the Cavaliers across four games, striding to its first NBA Finals in 26 years in style. The Knicks posted an average margin of victory of 19.25 across their four wins over Cleveland. Jalen Brunson flourished. Landry Shamet was nigh-on infallible. And Spike Lee, Timothee Chalamet and Clyde Frazier were dancing.

It’s not surprising that Mamdani felt compelled to celebrate the festivities. He was but a boy the last time New York advanced to this stage of the NBA playoffs. He has also served as one of the Knicks’ biggest advocates during the postseason, watching on from the nosebleeds as New York dispatched of the Cavaliers in Game 2.

If that wasn’t enough, the 34-year-old poked fun at former Hawks guard — and longtime Knicks supervillain — Trae Young ahead of Atlanta‘s first-round tilt with New York.

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“I blame Trae Young. I think it’s always important to blame Trae Young,” Mamdani said when discussing ticket price.

Mamdani even cited New York’s epic 22-point comeback in Game 1 as one of the ways the city has proven its mettle on the grand stage during a recent rally.

The stakes will be mighty high when the Knicks host Games 3 and 4 of the Finals. Expect Mamdani to have a part to play in all the mayhem — be that perched up in the nosebleeds, chumming next to the likes of Lee and Chalamet courtside or watching along in City Hall.

MORE: Knicks fans send New York City into chaos after first NBA Finals berth since 1999

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