‘Why bother even showing up for Game 4?’: What social media said after Cavs lose Game 3 to Knicks

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs are one loss away from their season ending after they were dominated at home by the New York Knicks, 121-108, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday. Jalen Brunson had a game-high 30 points and five other Knicks scored in double figures. Evan Mobley led the Cavs with 24 points and Donovan Mitchell added 23. But the Cavs never led and lost at home for just the second time this postseason. Both teams shot 50% or better from the field. However, the Cavs once again struggled from 3-point range, going just 12-for-41 (29%). They were also 12 of 19 (63%) from the free-throw line. Game 4 will be in Cleveland on Monday night as New York tries to complete the sweep and advance to the NBA Finals to face either Oklahoma City or San Antonio. Here is how social media reacted to the game. “This is a disgraceful late-game show of effort by the @cavs. 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. 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!!!!” ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith posted. “I don’t know how you make a run to the conference finals where I’ve been embarrassed for you this many times but here Cleveland is,” Matt Moore of Action Network posted. “Just really thought master motivator Kenny Atkinson would have them ready for a backs-against-the-wall game,” Anthony Lima of 92.3 The Fan posted. “I have officially conceded the season @cavs!! Thanks for the entertainment, mostly frustrating entertainment. Hard to complain about making it to ECF- but lacking heart is hard to cheer for,” St. Edward basketball coach Eric Flannery posted. “I don’t know how the organization feels. But I can’t find a Cavs fan who wants to defend Kenny Atkinson. Not one…” Aaron Goldhammer of ESPN Cleveland posted. “The New York Knicks are one win away from their first trip back to the NBA Finals since 1999. The Cleveland Cavaliers are one loss away from their most important offseason in a long, long time,” WKYC-TV’s Nick Camino posted with a GIF of LeBron James winking. “The #Cavs are on the verge of getting swept because their stars haven’t been good enough, their 3PT shooting has gone MIA & the in-game adjustments just haven’t been there. Everyone deserves blame. Simply not good enough against a team like the Knicks,” Mike Lucas of the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show posted. “The Cavs just look like a team with nothing left in the tank. Think having to play back-to-back Game 7s in the two opening rounds of the playoffs has caught up with them,” Danny Cunningham of the Locked on Cavs Podcast posted. “Body language has been awful. Even the broadcast crew notices it. This team looks done, folks,” Cleveland radio personality Nick Pedone posted. “And the Knicks will sweep the Cavs at this point too … even if the Cavs have professional pride, they simply aren’t close to this Knicks team,” MSG’s Harrison Sanford posted. “In a must-win home game, James Harden went 1-7 from 3 with 5 turnovers. In the biggest playoff games, he plays with no follow-me fire, no apparent urgency or energy. In the postseason, he has too often displayed loser intangibles. Congrats, Cavs,” sports media personality Skip Bayless posted. “The Cavaliers look like they quit. Why even bother showing up for Game 4? Totally embarrassing,” Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports posted. “Absolutely feckless performance by Cleveland. They won Game 7 in Detroit and took a 22-point fourth quarter lead in New York and tapped out from there,” Law Murray of The Athletic posted.