Knicks obliterate Celtics in Game 6, punch ticket to first East Finals since 2000

The Garden was absolutely electric. From the opening tip to the final buzzer, it never let up. And frankly, neither did the Knicks. With a dominant 119-81 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 6, New York didn’t just advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years—they made franchise history doing it. It was the largest playoff margin of victory in Knicks history, and the kind of all-around masterpiece that had Madison Square Garden shaking from start to finish.

Every Knicks starter hit double figures, with Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby leading the way with 23 points apiece. Brunson added 6 assists and 6 boards, while Anunoby pulled down 9 rebounds and was everywhere on both ends.

Karl-Anthony Towns delivered 21 points and 12 boards, Mikal Bridges put up 22 points and 2 first quarter blocks, and Josh Hart made history with a 10-point, 11-rebound, 11-assist triple-double—the first by a Knick in the playoffs since Walt Frazier in 1972.

“That’s who he is. He impacts the game in a lot of different ways.”

– Tom Thibodeau

The game barely had time to develop tension. Boston’s only lead came after a quick 5-4 spurt. From that moment on, it was all Knicks. They ended the first quarter on a 10-4 run and never looked back. A 7-0 burst early in the second pushed the lead to 13, and by the time Towns dropped in a 2 pointer, it was 49-27. Then came Miles McBride’s deep three at the halftime buzzer—catching nothing but net from 23 feet with 0.1 seconds left—and the Knicks jogged into the tunnel up 64-37.

The Celtics looked stunned. They shot 14-of-43 in the first half, including 4-of-20 from deep. Former two time champion, Jrue Holiday, sixth man of the year, Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, and former Knick, Kristaps Porzingis combined to shoot a brutal 3-of-22 in the opening 24 minutes. Jaylen Brown was the lone Celtic with any rhythm and more than 2 field goals made, finishing with 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting—but no real help arrived.

The third quarter? That was pure demolition. Anunoby’s triple with 1:51 left put the Knicks up by 41 points—92-51—and sent the crowd into a frenzy. The scoreboard was beautiful, the basketball even better.

Tom Thibodeau, always cautious, kept his starters in until late, but not irresponsibly—Anunoby was the only Knick to log more than 35 minutes, finishing with 37. Bridges and Hart, both in early foul trouble, saw slightly reduced time, and McBride made the most of his opportunity, logging 32 minutes and scoring 10 points with two timely threes.

The fourth quarter was essentially a celebration. The crowd roared for PJ Tucker, who got four minutes of action, and rookie Tyler Kolek, who scored a three and pulled down a board in his two-minute playoff debut. Precious Achiuwa turned the ball over before the final possession, so the margin stayed at 38—but the scoreboard could’ve easily shown 40.

Mitchell Robinson didn’t fill up the box score, but his impact was felt. Hacked early, he hit one of his first two free throws and the strategy was abandoned. He grabbed just 4 rebounds but came up with a big steal from Brown in the second quarter.

Statistically, the Knicks dismantled Boston in every phase: +19 on the glass (55-36), +15 in fast break points (23-8), +14 in the paint (48-34), and 25 assists to Boston’s 19. New York shot 46.2% from the field, while Boston slogged to just 36%. The defending champs were eliminated on a night where they never looked like they had the fire to fight.

But as wild as the atmosphere was, the Knicks aren’t celebrating like the job is done. This wasn’t a coronation—just another step.

Next up: the Indiana Pacers, who knocked off the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in five games. The two teams have history. Lots of it. The Knicks faced Indiana in the Conference Finals in 1994 (won in 7), 1999 (won in 6), and 2000 (lost in 6). Last year, it was the Pacers again who ended New York’s run in a brutal second-round Game 7.

Now? The rematch comes with home court advantage. Game 1 tips next Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m. inside a Garden that’s ready to explode again.