When the New York Knicks tipped off against the Boston Celtics in Game 6 on Friday, they carried the weight of a 25‑year drought without an Eastern Conference finals berth. But from the opening whistle at Madison Square Garden, the MSG faithful sensed that history might finally bend in their favor. By halftime, New York had built a 27‑point lead. They went on to rout Boston 119–81—the most lopsided playoff victory in franchise history.
Knicks’ Balanced Attack Overwhelms Celtics
What began as a tight contest quickly morphed into an avalanche. The Knicks closed the first quarter on a decisive run and never looked back. Boston coach Joe Mazzulla emptied his bench late in the third quarter, conceding defeat. Fans chanted P.J. Tucker’s name, and coach Tom Thibodeau—a rare moment—called him into the game to raucous applause.
Key contributors included:
- Jalen Brunson: Efficient with 21 points on just 14 shots, Brunson orchestrated the offense without forcing the issue.
- Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges: Each scored between 21 and 23 points, showcasing the Knicks’ depth.
- Josh Hart: Notched a triple-double (10 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists), underlining his all‑around impact.
- Miles McBride: Added 10 points off the bench, reminding the team that bench play can be decisive.
- Mitchell Robinson: Dominated the glass and protected the rim, anchoring New York’s defense.
Coach Thibodeau praised the “really balanced attack,” noting that the defense set the tone, and his squad attacked the boards relentlessly.
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From Rockiness to Raison d’Être
Earlier in the series, Boston won Game 5 in TD Garden, exposing weaknesses in New York’s communication on defense. The Knicks held a team meeting between Games 5 and 6 to recalibrate. “We watched film and felt disgusted with our effort,” Hart said. Brunson echoed that sentiment: “We knew Game 5 wasn’t us. We were ready to show the real Knicks.”
That newfound focus showed immediately. They locked down Boston’s off‑ball actions, ran in transition, and played their brand of “Knick basketball.” As McBride put it, “It was time for us to play with the lead and play tough with the lead.”
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Historic Milestone and What Comes Next
This victory sends the Knicks into the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000. Guard Miles McBride quipped, “I don’t even know if I was alive,” when informed of the 25‑year gap. “That’s craaazy,” he laughed.
Next up is Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, back at MSG. Indiana ousted New York in last season’s second round and now presents a stiffer test with improved defense and relentless pace. Hart warned, “They run on makes and misses. We’ll need every ounce of that communication and transition defense.”
Yet after a performance of such magnitude, the Knicks arrive more battle‑tested and buoyed by the Garden’s roar. As Towns observed, their ability to finish games in the fourth quarter—first against Detroit, now Boston—proves this team’s mettle. A resilient defense and multi‑headed offense have the Knicks dreaming of their first Knicks championships since the late 20th century.
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