CLEVELAND — The Knicks arrived and left Cleveland with the same problem — their defense is atrocious against the NBA’s best.

Tom Thibodeau’s group was massacred Friday night by Kenny Atkinson’s high-octane Cavaliers, who made the Knicks look jayvee in a 142-106 laugher.

“You can’t explain it,” Jalen Brunson said. “I’m at a loss for words really.”

The defeat dropped the Knicks to 0-6 this season against the league’s top-3 teams – the Cavs, Thunder and Celtics – while casting further doubt about their ability to compete with those teams, let alone beat them, in a playoff series.

Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks were crushed by the Cavaliers on Friday night. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

The problem was familiar and easy to spot – the defense. Donovan Mitchell, the former Knicks trade target, dissected New York’s soft shell while dropping 27 points in just 26 minutes on 10 of 15 shooting.

The Cavaliers shot 61% overall and 51% on 37 3-point attempts, scoring 41 in the opening quarter and building a 27-point advantage at halftime.

It didn’t matter that OG Anunoby, the Knicks’ top defender, returned from a five-game absence because of a sprained foot.

He struggled on both ends – Anunoby finished with just five points in 27 minutes and appeared to hurt his foot again in the third quarter – as the Cavaliers (46-10) scored more points than the Knicks allowed in any regulation game this season.

After his team let go of the rope – failing to make any meaningful run after falling into an early deep hole – Thibodeau harped on the lollygagging transition defense. He also asked for greater “resolve.”

“I think for teams that are high volume 3-point shooting there’s going to be variances where the score can go up quick. But you can also get back quick. You just can’t give in,” the coach said. “And that’s the biggest thing. You can’t anything break you. You got to have the mental toughness to get through things. And so, there’s got to be a lot more resolve – particularly on the road against a team that is this good.”

New York Knicks’ Precious Achiuwa (5) grabs a rebound as teammate Jalen Brunson (11) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland on Feb. 21, 2025. AP

Even Thibodeau, who is famously reluctant to waive the white flag, gave up fast by emptying his bench to start the fourth quarter.

“Yeah, from the start, I mean, we didn’t set the tone,” backup guard Miles McBride said. “Dunks, in the paint points, kick out threes, pick and pop threes. You name it, they did it to us.

“I think every guy on their team, whether they’re coming off the bench or starting, every guy is a threat. And they play that way. So it’s hard to go against them when anybody can break off and go score or they find a mismatch they like and they attack and they’re playing the right way and kicking out.”

Ty Jerome and Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers high five during the game against the New York Knicks on February 21, 2025, at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NBAE via Getty Images

The Cavs are tremendous but if the Cavs looked extra motivated, it’s because the Knicks helped create the monster that ate them Friday night.

Nearly two years after getting punked by the Knicks in the opening round of the playoffs, Cleveland (46-10) has emerged as the most positively surprising upstart with the NBA’s best record.

And while the Cavs have changed in certain areas – most notably at coach with Atkinson and at the trade deadline with DeAndre Hunter – the residual impact of the 2023 gentleman’s sweep remains.

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“It definitely humbled us,” Darius Garland said when asked by The Post at All-Star weekend. “But it was definitely a learning experience and you’re seeing the product of that right now. It definitely helped us a lot.”

Atkinson wasn’t around for the playoff embarrassment but knows it’s a lingering conversation among his players.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) drives to the basket against New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half at Rocket Arena. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

“They remember, I’m sure our players remember. They talk about it,” the coach said. “It’s not a playoff game (Friday night), but this is a team that took you out. How are you gonna perform against them? Are you gonna be ready for them?”

The Cavs were certainly ready right that wrong. They dogwalked the Knicks, who were missing Josh Hart for a second straight game with right knee pain.

New York’s silver lining is a fast opportunity to change the narrative with Sunday afternoon’s game in Boston. But that could also just further the idea the Knicks transform into practice cones against the best teams.

Especially if they resemble Friday night’s defensive atrocity.