NBA semi-finals: Over for world champion Dennis Schröder

Meanwhile, the Knicks made it to their first final since 1999; they last won the title in 1973. Schröder’s compatriot Ariel Hukporti had two points, five rebounds and one assist in almost eight minutes of playing time. For the German center’s team it was the eleventh win in a row in the playoffs, and either defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder with German national player Isaiah Hartenstein or superstar Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs are waiting in the final (Playoff score: 2:2).

The best thrower for New York was Karl-Anthony Towns with 19 points. “We’ll enjoy this for a day or two, but we have a bigger goal in mind here and we have to focus on it now,” said teammate Landry Shamet: “We still have four wins to get and we know it’s going to get even harder. To be in this position with this team is very special.”

Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson said he was “disappointed for the team”: “You want to meet expectations. That was disappointing.” Schröder has to wait for his first participation in the NBA Finals. The 32-year-old was eliminated in the semi-finals in 2016/17 with the Atlanta Hawks and in 2022/23 with the Los Angeles Lakers.