Knicks Rout Celtics 119-81, Reach Eastern Conference Finals

The New York Knicks dominated the Boston Celtics in Game 6, earning a 119-81 victory that ended the Celtics' one-year NBA title reign with astonishing ease. The Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, will face the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years. The game marked a historic moment for the Knicks, who hadn't won a playoff series on their home floor since the 1999 East finals.

Key Takeaways:

• The Knicks' 38-point margin of victory was their largest in a postseason game, surpassing their previous record of 33 points.
• The Celtics' leading scorer, Jayson Tatum, suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in Game 4, but the team still believed they could get back to Boston for Game 7 and keep their title defense alive.
• The Knicks' 49-27 lead in the second quarter was sparked by a 13-3 run, highlighted by Deuce McBride's chasedown block of Derrick White's shot.
• Ben Stiller and Lenny Kravitz were in attendance, cheering alongside A-listers and fans in the arena.
• Josh Hart finished the game with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists for the Knicks, leading a dominant team effort.
• The Knicks' win marked a historic moment, as they will face the Indiana Pacers, the same team they met in their last conference finals appearance in 2000.

Statistics:

• The Knicks' 119-81 victory marked a 38-point margin of victory, their largest in a postseason game.
• The Celtics' 20-point deficit in the second half of both games in Boston was overcome by the Knicks in Game 6.
• Josh Hart's triple-double (10 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists) was a dominant performance that helped seal the win.
• The Knicks scored 64 points in the first half, their highest in a playoff game in the shot-clock era.
• The Celtics' Jaylen Brown scored 20 points, but it wasn't enough to stop the Knicks' winning streak.

Sources:

• AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney
• The New York Knicks' official game report