After the Cleveland Cavaliers were outclassed 121-108 by the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals—leaving them trailing 3-0—Stephen A. Smith posted on social media that the franchise “quit” and urged LeBron James to return to Cleveland to
Cleveland’s season felt like it ran out of runway on Saturday night.
The Cavaliers were beaten 121-108 by the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, and by the time the final score settled, the series reality was brutal: Cleveland is now trailing 3-0. For Stephen A. Smith, the frustration wasn’t subtle—it was immediate, and it came out on X.
Smith called Cleveland’s effort a disgrace late in the game. posting: “This is a disgraceful late-game show of effort by the @cavs.” He added that. even though he’s a Knicks fan. the sight of the Cavaliers “quit” was the truth. writing: “Hate to say it. because I’m a @nyknicks fan. but it’s just the truth: when you see this franchise quit like they just did. it needs someone who cares a bit more. Someone proudly accountable to Cleveland.”.
Then came his demand—clear enough to read as a plea. “Yes…..I’m saying it…….they need @KingJames to return home to save the day…..if THIS group is ever going to bring a title back to Cleveland. Seriously!!!!” Smith wrote, arguing the only way to flip the moment was to bring back the hometown hero.
The anger had a scoreboard to point at. New York dominated the physical battle. shooting 56% from the field and keeping Cleveland at arm’s length for much of the night. Jalen Brunson powered the win with 30 points and six assists. Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby also logged key stretches to help secure the victory.
Cleveland, meanwhile, couldn’t get enough going—especially from deep. The Cavaliers shot 12-of-41 (29%) from three, and the offense didn’t find enough rhythm to slow the Knicks down. Donovan Mitchell finished with 23 points. and Evan Mobley put up 24 points. but a late-game stretch turned into a problem Cleveland couldn’t survive. The Cavaliers committed 17 total team turnovers in the game, and those mistakes helped New York cruise.
The Knicks’ momentum now isn’t just a series lead—it’s a postseason statement. The win extended New York’s postseason winning streak to 10 games.
Cleveland is now staring at a climb that has never happened in NBA history. No team in NBA history has recovered from a 3-0 playoff deficit. Unless the Cavaliers find a historic spark in Game 4 on Monday, their season will end in a sweep.
Stephen A. Smith Cavaliers Knicks Eastern Conference Finals Game 3 LeBron James LeBron return series deficit 3-0 Jalen Brunson Donovan Mitchell Evan Mobley