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Knicks fans led by actors Ben Stiller and Timothee Chalamet erupt at Madison Square Garden, the same environment Jarrett Allen once said felt “brighter than expected” during a playoff loss.
The New York Knicks haven’t played in over a week.
But inside Madison Square Garden, the Eastern Conference Finals atmosphere is already being felt — even by their opponent.
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen acknowledged the challenge awaiting his team in New York after advancing with a 125-94 Game 7 win over the Detroit Pistons.
“It’s going to be a loud environment; we know that their fans are incredible fans, crazy fans,” Allen said in a postgame interview with Amazon Prime’s Cassidy Hubbarth. “But we know that we can do it. We came into an incredible arena like this and took over the game. We just have to do it again.”
“It’s going to be a loud environment; we know that their fans are incredible fans, crazy fans. But we know that we can do it. We came into an incredible arena like this (DET in G7) & took over the game. We just have to do it again”
– Jarret Allen to @CassidyHubbarth on CLE @ NYK
Allen’s confidence stands in contrast to his last playoff experience at Madison Square Garden.
Three years ago, after the Cavaliers lost to the Knicks in the 2023 playoffs, Allen famously admitted the moment overwhelmed him.
“Even for me, the lights were brighter than expected,” Allen said at the time.
Jarrett Allen: “Even for me, the lights were brighter than expected.” #Cavs
The Knicks went on to win that series 4-1.
Now, as the two teams prepare to meet again in the Eastern Conference Finals, Allen returns to the same building with a different tone — and a different Cavaliers team.
Allen’s comments underscore what has long been one of the Knicks’ biggest advantages.
Madison Square Garden is expected to be at full intensity for Games 1 and 2, with the Knicks hosting the Eastern Conference Finals after sweeping the Philadelphia 76ers.
New York’s fan base has fueled one of the most dominant stretches in franchise history, with the team riding a seven-game winning streak and outscoring opponents by a record margin during that run.
For a Cavaliers team that struggled on the road earlier in the postseason, the environment presents a significant test.
Cleveland arrives battle-tested.
New York native Donovan Mitchell led the way for the Cavaliers with 26 points, while Allen and Sam Merrill each added 23 in a 125-94 win over Detroit.
Allen’s frontcourt partner Evan Mobley contributed 21 points and 12 rebounds as the Cavaliers controlled Game 7 from the opening tip.
The fourth-seeded Cavaliers eliminated the East’s top seed and advanced to their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2018.
It’s also their deepest playoff run since the LeBron James era.
The Eastern Conference Finals matchup highlights two very different journeys.
The Knicks bring rest, rhythm and home-court advantage. The Cavaliers bring momentum, star power and recent success in hostile environments.
Allen pointed to Cleveland’s Game 7 performance in Detroit as evidence that his team can handle pressure on the road.
But Madison Square Garden presents a different kind of stage — one he knows firsthand.
For the Knicks, the opportunity is clear.
New York is within reach of its first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, entering the series with momentum and a crowd that has already become part of the story.
For Allen and the Cavaliers, the challenge is not just winning on the road — it’s doing so in a building where, not long ago, even he admitted the moment felt bigger than expected.
This time, he insists, will be different.
Alder Almo is a veteran NBA reporter for Heavy.com, covering the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. He brings over 20 years of experience across local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Originally from the Philippines, he is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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