NBA’s NY Knicks and NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes one win away from championship titles

The GIST: The NBA’s NY Knicks (up 3-1) and the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes (up 3-2) are on the cusp of sports immortality — both teams are one win away from hoisting their respective trophies. With a pair of potential title-clinching tilts on deck this weekend, the men’s playoffs are reaching their crescendo.

🏀 The Knicks are chasing history: And that’s beyond their improbable 29-point comeback against the San Antonio Spurs in Wednesday’s Game 4. It’s been 53 years since the Knicks have won a title, an eternity for a team with a fanbase this rabid. This NY playoff run has an air of destiny to it, from Jalen Brunson’s unfathomable finishing to OG Anunoby’s clutch heroics.

• San Antonio held double digit leads in all four games, but NY’s resilience is unmatched: They’ve capitalized on the Spurs’ late-game blunders like clockwork. All to say, keep tomorrow’s 8:30 p.m. ET Game 5 on until the end, especially if a certain orange bag makes the trip to Texas.

🏒 Hurricanes skating to end two-decade drought: For the first time in this series, a multi-goal lead was not relinquished as the Canes topped the Vegas Golden Knights 4–2 last night, moving one win away from their first Cup since 2006. Who else but captain Jordan Staal lit the lamp: The 37-year-old center has now scored in all five games this series.

• Expect goaltending to be a hot topic ahead of Sunday’s 8 p.m. ET Game 6 in Vegas. Carolina’s Brandon Bussi has been solid in back-to-back wins, while Vegas’ Carter Hart has literally been the worst goalie in Cup Final history. Keeping our side of the street clean.