ATLANTA — It was rumbling quietly beneath the surface new York Knicks Heading towards an impressive performance.
As the Knicks set the record in Game 6, that rumble turned into an uncontrolled explosion. hawks one in 140-89 They suffered defeat as they advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Knicks are waiting for a winner boston celtics–philadelphia 76ers The series, which concludes with Game 7 in Boston on Saturday.
The Knicks made sure their series was not headed toward a winner-takes-all scenario.
New York turned a two-point deficit into a 25-point lead at the end of the first quarter, and the Knicks surged to an NBA playoff-record 47-point halftime cushion. The final margin of victory of 51 points was the largest playoff victory in franchise history.
The previous halftime record was set until 2025 Indiana Pacers and 2017 cleveland cavaliersAt the time of the break both were ahead by 41 points. The Knicks dispatched the Hawks despite trailing 2–1 in the series following a one-point loss. But New York responded strongly, recording three consecutive lopsided wins.
Game 6 was the climax. After winning by 14 points in Game 4 and 29 points in Game 5, the Knicks left no doubt in their latest blowout win, which New York coach Mike Brown said was the result of Atlanta forcing them to adjust.
“The biggest thing is we have to change our offense,” Brown said. “Again, not as rough as we probably did halfway through the year, but we had to change it because every possession in those first three games was a tough one, especially down the stretch.”
carl-anthony town Once again the offense came up with a plan, moving cutters around and confusing the smaller Hawks defenders. Towns finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, his second triple-double of the series.
“They forced us to limit our thinking and they forced us to play differently,” Brown said. “Find ways to make the game easier for our players, while playing to their strengths, while also trying not to hinder them.”
The Browns changed their offense early in the season to accommodate Towns and he became a more efficient scorer. This change has turned Towns into more of a facilitator, and it has opened up the rest of the offense, at least in this series.
OG AnunobyWho almost outscored the Hawks in the first half, was a major beneficiary. Anunoby scored 29 points and is averaging 24.2 points over the last four games.
Knicks showed they can handle adversity, help mikal bridges Play with some confidence and come out of this series playing your best basketball.
“We’ve always told each other that obviously we want to win and that’s the most important thing.” Jalen Brunson Said. “We’ve said it a lot. When it comes to decisions like this, it’s about action.”
While other Eastern Conference playoff teams still have to advance, the Knicks can rest for a few days before the next series starts. josh hart Was listed as questionable for Game 6 due to a lower back injury, but he started and played 27 minutes.
Bridges was criticized in this series as his minutes decreased while struggling to score. But he had a stellar performance in Game 6, making 10 of 12 shots and finishing with 24 points and five rebounds.
Brown said of Bridges, “It was great. He did what he’s capable of doing now.” “I would be remiss not to note that his defense was amazing. Not only was his defense phenomenal, but so were the counterattacks.”
Despite lopsided win, Knicks take center stage Michelle Robinson Was ejected in the second quarter due to altercation with Hawks guard dyson danielsWhoever was thrown out. Both the players got entangled with each other during the free throw.
The melee reached close to the crowd before the two players were separated.
“It’s hard because when you get that big, things happen,” Brown said. “And that’s hard. If one feels like something that shouldn’t be happening is happening, it’s hard to maintain one’s composure in that moment.”
