Knicks playoff run ends with 96-92 loss in game 6

In a heart-wrenching loss, the Knicks fell short against the Heat, ending their playoff run as Miami advanced to the Eastern Conference finals with a 96-92 victory in game 6. The Heat sealed the game from the free-throw line after Jalen Brunson‘s turnover, as Jimmy Butler and Max Strus both calmly sank their free throws.

There was a glimmer of hope for the Knicks when a flagrant foul by Gabe Vincent on Brunson with 59.2 seconds left allowed them to cut the lead to 92-90. Brunson made both free throws, and Josh Hart added a clutch two-pointer. However, it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

“Proud of our guys. There’s always disappointment in the end of the season. In the end, there will be one team standing. Take what we learned from it. Get away for a little while, decompress. But I’m proud of the way this team worked all year. I thought they improved daily.”

– Tom Thibodeau

Brunson had a sensational performance, pouring in a game-high 41 points, including 15 points in a dominant first quarter. However, his scoring was not enough to carry the team to victory.

Julius Randle struggled, contributing just 15 points on a rough 3-14 shooting night, while RJ Barrett had a tough outing as well, making only 1 of his 10 field goal attempts. Josh Hart provided a spark off the bench with 11 points.

The Knicks faced a scoring drought in the fourth quarter, going nearly six minutes without a field goal before finally finding the bottom of the net. The Heat took advantage of this dry spell and managed to hold on to their lead.

For the Heat, Butler led the way with 24 points, showcasing his scoring prowess in a critical playoff game. Bam Adebayo was also impressive, contributing 23 points, while Max Strus provided a valuable boost off the bench with 14 points.

The game had its ups and downs for the Knicks. They started strong, making hustle plays and outscoring the Heat 31-17 in a sensational first quarter. However, the Heat responded with a 10-0 run, taking a 37-36 lead early in the second quarter, as Brunson briefly found himself on the bench.

Brunson’s return to the floor was marked by his three-point shooting, including back-to-back threes from Obi Toppin.

Ultimately, the Knicks fought hard throughout the series but came up short in their quest to advance. As the Heat celebrated their victory and moved on to the next round, the Knicks could only reflect on a valiant effort that fell just shy of the desired outcome.