Charles Barkley Made Blunt Prediction Before Knicks-Cavaliers Game 4

The Cleveland Cavaliers entered Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals with their backs against the wall, trailing the New York Knicks 3-0 in the series.

The Knicks dominated the first game at Cleveland’s Rocket Arena, notching a 121-108 final score in Game 3. And before tipoff in Game 4, ESPN NBA analyst Charles Barkley predicted more of the same in Monday night’s potential closeout game.

“The Cavs are going home tonight,” Barkley said pregame. “Deep down, they know they’re going to get their [expletive] whooped tonight.”

“They’ve got to come out and play with some energy,” he continued. “They can’t quit from the beginning.”

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The Cavaliers blew a 22-point fourth-quarter lead in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, throwing away an excellent opportunity to flip home court advantage at Madison Square Garden. Since then, Cleveland has yet to finish a game within a double-digit margin of the Knicks.

The Cavaliers allowed 37 first-quarter points on their home court to begin Game 3.

“They haven’t gotten over Game 1,” Barkley added. “You come out and give up 40 points in a must-win game in the first quarter at home - you’ve packed it in.”

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If the Cavaliers can notch a victory on Monday night, they force a Game 5 matchup in New York. If not, the Knicks will punch their ticket to the NBA Finals with a series sweep.

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This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 8:59 PM.