Knicks finish off Hawks with record performance in Game 6
ATLANTA — It was quietly rumbling beneath the floor, the (*6*) heading towards a dominant performance.
That rumble changed into an uncontrollable explosion because the Knicks set data in Game 6, disposing of the Hawks in a 140-89 rout as they superior to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Knicks await the winner of the Boston Celtics–Philadelphia 76ers sequence, which can conclude with a Game 7 in Boston on Saturday.
The Knicks made certain their sequence wasn’t headed towards a winner-take-all state of affairs.
New York turned a two-point deficit right into a 25-point lead on the finish of the primary quarter, and the Knicks emerged to an NBA playoff-record 47-point halftime cushion. The 51-point closing margin of victory was the most important playoff win in franchise historical past.
The earlier halftime record was set by 2025 Indiana Pacers and 2017 Cleveland Cavalierswho each led by 41 factors on the break. The Knicks dispatched the Hawks regardless of falling right into a 2-1 sequence deficit after a pair of one-point losses. But New York emphatically responded, reeling off three straight lopsided wins.
Game 6 was the end result. After profitable by 14 factors in Game 4 and 29 factors in Game 5, the Knicks left little question in their newest blowout win, which New York coach Mike Brown stated was a results of Atlanta forcing them to regulate.
“The biggest thing is we had to change our offense,” Brown stated. “Again, not as drastic as we probably did halfway through the year, but we had to change it because every possession was a grind those first three games, especially down the stretch.”
Karl-Anthony Towns orchestrated the offense as soon as once more, having cutters transferring round and complicated the smaller Hawks defenders. Towns completed with 12 factors, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, his second triple-double of the sequence.
“They forced us to put our thinking caps on, and they forced us to play different,” Brown stated. “Find ways to make the game easier for our players while putting them in their strengths, while trying not to hinder them.”
Brown tweaked his offense earlier in the season to accommodate Towns, and he turned a extra environment friendly scorer. This alteration has turned Towns into extra of a facilitator, and it has unlocked the remainder of the offense, a minimum of in this sequence.
OG Anunobywho almost outscored the Hawks in the primary half, was a key beneficiary. Anunoby scored 29, and has averaged 24.2 factors in the previous 4 video games.
The Knicks confirmed they will deal with adversity, assist Michael Bridges play with some confidence and emerge from this sequence enjoying their greatest basketball.
“We’ve always told each other that obviously we want to win, and that’s most important,” Jalen Brunson he stated. “We’ve said it a lot. When it comes to decisions like this, it’s about actions.”
While the opposite Eastern Conference playoff groups have but to advance, the Knicks can relaxation for a number of days earlier than the following sequence begins. Josh Hart was listed as questionable for Game 6 due to a lower-back contusion, however he began and performed 27 minutes.
Bridges had been criticized in this sequence as his minutes dwindled whereas he struggled to attain. But he had a bounce-back performance in Game 6, taking pictures 10-of-12 and ending with 24 factors and 5 rebounds.
“It was great. He just did what he’s capable of doing now,” Brown stated of Bridges. “I wouldn’t let it go unnoticed that his defense was phenomenal. Not only was his defense phenomenal but rebounding.”
Despite the lopsided victory, Knicks heart Mitchell Robinson was ejected in the second quarter for an altercation with Hawks guard Dyson Danielswho was additionally thrown out. Both gamers obtained tousled throughout a free throw.
The scuffle obtained near the group earlier than each gamers have been separated.
“It’s tough because when you’re up that big, stuff happens,” Brown stated. “And it’s hard. If someone feels like something that shouldn’t happen happens, it’s hard to keep your composure in that moment.”