Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby both dropped 23 points as the New York Knicks cruised past the Boston Celtics with a dominant 119-81 victory in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, sealing their place in the conference finals for the first time since 2000.
Mikal Bridges added 22 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds. The third-seeded Knicks held a commanding 41-point lead at one point and closed out the series with the largest playoff win in team history.
“We still have work to do,” said Bridges. “Tonight we showed up and handled business, but the job’s not done yet.”
This blowout win eclipsed New York’s 36-point victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5 of the 1970 Eastern Division finals.
Josh Hart made history with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists—registering the Knicks’ first playoff triple-double since Walt Frazier did so in 1972.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau praised Boston, especially noting Jayson Tatum’s absence due to a torn Achilles suffered in Game 4. “Credit to the Celtics. Great team, strong leadership, and Joe Mazzulla is an excellent coach. They made us earn it,” Thibodeau said.
The Knicks now prepare to face the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Boston, the defending champions, was led by Jaylen Brown with 20 points, six rebounds and six assists before fouling out late in the third quarter. Without Tatum, Boston’s lineup remained depleted.
“People might call it an upset, but we just beat a very good team,” said Brunson. “Even without Tatum, they’re no pushover. We’re proud of this win and ready for the next challenge.”
New York shot 46.2% from the field and made 16 of their 45 three-point attempts. They also dominated the boards with a 55-36 rebounding edge.
Boston, on the other hand, managed just 36% shooting and went 12-for-40 (30%) from deep. Payton Pritchard contributed 11 points, while Al Horford had 10.
After a tied score at 16, the Knicks began to pull away. They ended the first quarter ahead 26-20 and opened the second with a 16-4 run. By halftime, thanks to a buzzer-beating three from Miles “Deuce” McBride, they led 64-37—New York’s biggest halftime playoff lead since the 1970 Finals against the Lakers.
Celtics guard Derrick White reflected on the loss: “Winning a title puts a target on your back. This season had its highs and lows, but we fell short of our goal.”
Boston’s hopes were crushed when Brown fouled out with under three minutes left in the third, trailing by 33. Anunoby’s back-to-back threes during a 10-0 run extended the lead to over 40, putting the game well out of reach.
“They were the better team tonight,” said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla. “I’m happy for Thibs—he’s earned this. The Knicks deserve this win, and we respect that.”
