Knicks Make History With 51-Point Closeout Win Over Hawks

The New York Knicks didn't just advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Thursday night—they made NBA history in the process. In a closeout Game 6 that quickly turned into a massacre, the Knicks demolished the Atlanta Hawks 140-89, ending Atlanta's season and punching their ticket to the second round for the fourth consecutive year. A First Half for the Record Books If you blinked, you might have missed the competitive portion of this game. Four minutes in, the Hawks actually led 11-9. Then, the floodgates opened. Powered by a 43-6 run, the Knicks took an unfathomable 47-point lead into the locker room at halftime (83-36). That 47-point margin is the largest halftime lead in NBA playoff history, shattering the previous record of 41 points. OG Anunoby was virtually flawless, pouring in 29 points on 11-for-14 shooting. Mikal Bridges found his rhythm with 24 points (10-for-12 FG), and Karl-Anthony Towns anchored the middle with a quiet but effective triple-double (12 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists). Total Domination After falling behind 2-1 in the series with back-to-back one-point losses, New York flipped a switch. They won Game 4 by 16, Game 5 by 29, and Game 6 by 51. That's a +96 point differential over the final three games of the series. At one point in the second half, the Knicks led by 61 points—the largest lead in any playoff game since the play-by-play era began in 1997-98. "It speaks volumes about our team," Towns said after the game. "When we're locked in and playing close to our best, we're really, really good." What's Next for New York? The Knicks now get to rest and watch as the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers battle it out in a decisive Game 7 on Saturday. The Sixers stayed alive with a 106-93 win in Game 6, powered by 30 points from Tyrese Maxey. If Boston wins, it sets up a highly anticipated rematch of last year's playoff series. If Philadelphia advances, the Knicks will face a team they beat by 49 points earlier this season (though Joel Embiid didn't play in that matchup). For now, the Knicks look like the most dangerous team in the East. --- Related reading: - The 2026 NBA Playoff Bracket Is Officially Set: Full Breakdown - 2026 NBA Playoff Picture: Thunder Dominate, Pistons Shock the East - NBA Final Day Chaos: All 30 Teams Play, 9 Games With Playoff Implications