“Knicks in 6!” echoed through Madison Square Garden as the New York Knicks dismantled the Boston Celtics 119-81 in Game 6, officially punching their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the year 2000.
What a night it was in New York. Not just because of the dominant scoreline, but because of what it signified — a changing of the guard, a reawakening of one of the NBA’s most storied franchises, and perhaps the official start of a new era.
The Game: A Complete Performance from the Knicks
From tip-off to the final buzzer, the Knicks showed urgency, chemistry, and resilience. No late-game heroics were needed this time. It was methodical, clinical — and ruthless.
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Jalen Brunson, the heart and soul of this team, once again rose to the occasion. He scored 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting and added six assists, expertly controlling the tempo and involving his teammates early and often.
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Josh Hart made franchise history with the Knicks’ first postseason triple-double since 1972: 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. A symbol of hustle and heart.
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Karl-Anthony Towns put up 21 points and 11 boards, bringing physicality and range that stretched Boston’s defense.
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OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges added 23 and 22 points respectively, underlining how complete and dangerous this starting five is. Every starter hit double digits. Every player had a role. This wasn’t just a win; it was a message.
The Celtics Collapse: A Franchise at a Crossroads
Boston, meanwhile, looked outmatched and uncertain — a theme that’s plagued them throughout this series. Despite Jaylen Brown’s 20 points, the Celtics managed just 36% shooting from the field and a dismal 29.3% from three.
The absence of Jayson Tatum — sidelined by a torn Achilles — hung over the series like a cloud. But even with that context, Boston's lack of cohesion was jarring. Eleven consecutive playoff appearances may have solidified the Celtics as perennial contenders, but this loss marks their fourth second-round exit in the last five years. Is it the end of the current era in Boston? It just might be.
Thibs and the Knicks: Identity, Grit, and Glory
Head coach Tom Thibodeau called the performance “terrific from start to finish.” And it was. This is a Knicks team built in his image — defensive-minded, hard-working, and committed to the grind.
New York now boasts one of the most balanced starting lineups in the league, a team that has not only bought in but evolved into something greater than the sum of its parts. The Brunson-led Knicks are not a fluke. They’re here to contend.
Next Up: A Rivalry Renewed
The Knicks will now face the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals — a matchup dripping in nostalgia. Knicks vs. Pacers was the rivalry of the late '90s and early 2000s, punctuated by Reggie Miller’s iconic battles with Spike Lee and the MSG faithful.
Reggie Miller will be on the TNT broadcast. You can already feel the electricity.
Game 1 tips off Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden. The Pacers are healthy, talented, and hungry. But so are the Knicks — and they’ll have the home crowd behind them, roaring louder than it has in decades.
What This Win Means
This isn’t just about one game or one series. This is about belief. About identity. About redemption.
The Knicks — after years of mismanagement, false starts, and heartbreak — are no longer an NBA punchline. They’re 8 wins away from a championship, and Madison Square Garden believes again.
It took 25 years, but the wait might just have been worth it.
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