The New York Knicks brought Madison Square Garden to life on Saturday night with a dominant 119-81 victory over the defending champion Boston Celtics in Game 6, advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. The decisive win completed a 4-2 series victory for the Knicks, who now look ahead to a matchup with the Indiana Pacers.
New York put on what can only be described as a defensive clinic against the Celtics, limiting the defending champions to just 81 points. The 38-point margin told the story of a game that was never close after halftime. Boston looked outmatched from the start, scoring just 20 points in the first quarter and managing only 17 in the second as the Knicks built a commanding 64-37 halftime lead.
Jalen Brunson continued his stellar playoff run, leading the Knicks with 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. In a moment that perfectly captured the night’s emotion, Brunson was seen waving goodbye to the Celtics after draining a three-pointer late in the game. The gesture sent the already electric Garden crowd into a frenzy.
Josh Hart made history of his own, becoming the first Knicks player since Walt Frazier in the 1971-72 season to record a playoff triple-double. Hart’s hustle plays and energy have become a trademark of this Knicks team, and Game 6 was no exception.
For Boston, Jaylen Brown scored 20 points with 6 rebounds and 6 assists before fouling out to jeers from the Knicks faithful. The Celtics struggled to find any offensive rhythm, with coach Joe Mazzulla admitting post-game, “We ran into a good team that got the best of us.”
The win sets up an intriguing Eastern Conference Finals matchup between the Knicks and Pacers. Basketball analysts are already pointing to the upcoming battle between Brunson and Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton as a key factor. According to NBA.com, “The matchup of Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton takes center stage as each looks to enforce his respective team’s tempo.”
Mitchell Robinson also made his presence felt in the series. His size and defensive ability caused problems for Boston throughout, influencing NBA.com’s analysis that “Mitchell Robinson makes a difference” in their takeaways from the decisive game.
The significance of this win cannot be overstated for Knicks fans. Not since the 1999-2000 season have the Knicks made it this far in the playoffs. The long-suffering fan base has endured years of disappointment, making Saturday’s dominant performance all the more special.
On the other side, the Celtics face an offseason of big decisions. According to team sources, Boston’s front office was already considering significant changes due to payroll concerns that could reach approximately $500 million if they maintain their current roster. The disappointing playoff exit may accelerate these plans.
In the Western Conference, the playoff picture remains slightly less clear. The Denver Nuggets forced a Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder behind another stellar performance from Nikola Jokic. That decisive game will take place on Sunday, with the winner advancing to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals.
The Timberwolves earned their spot after eliminating the Golden State Warriors in five games, a series defined by Stephen Curry’s unfortunate injury in Game 1. Without their superstar, the Warriors struggled to generate offense, as Minnesota’s size advantage proved too much to overcome.
For New York, attention now turns to preparation for the Pacers series. With Brunson firing on all cylinders and the team’s defense looking formidable, Knicks fans have legitimate reason to hope this magical run might continue even further. The Eastern Conference Finals will determine if this Knicks team can take the next step toward bringing an NBA championship back to New York for the first time since 1973.
