Sign in Subscribe
Professional basketball

Knicks Dominate Celtics, Reach Eastern Conference Finals After 25-Year Absence

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The New York Knicks staged a stunning comeback to eliminate the Boston Celtics 119-81 in Game 6, securing a spot in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years. The team was led by Karl-Anthony Towns' 21 points and 12 rebounds, Jalen Brunson's 23 points, and Josh Hart's triple-double performance, which included 10 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds. As a result, the third-seeded Knicks will face the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers in the conference finals, with Game 1 scheduled for Wednesday in New York.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Knicks' victory marked their first appearance in the Eastern Conference finals since 2000, ending a 25-year drought.
  • The team had the league's third-longest streak of not making it to conference finals, behind Charlotte (never) and Washington (1979).
  • Jalen Brunson's father, Rick Brunson, was a member of the 2000 Knicks team that reached the conference finals.
  • Josh Hart became the first Knick to record a triple-double in a playoff game since Walt Frazier in 1972.
  • Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson added 23 points and six assists.
  • The Knicks' 119-81 win over the Celtics was the third-largest points differential defeat in Celtics playoff history.
  • Boston's 37 points in the first half were a season-low, with the team also scoring season lows in the first and second quarters.
  • The Knicks' 64 first-half points were the most allowed by the Celtics in the first half this season, eclipsing the 59 points scored in Game 5.

Statistics:

  • 119-81: The final score margin, which equaled the third-largest points differential defeat in Celtics playoff history.
  • 64: The Knicks' first-half points, the most allowed by the Celtics in the first half this season.
  • 27: The Knicks' halftime lead, matching the largest lead after two quarters in Knicks playoff history.
  • 1999: The last time the Knicks made it to the NBA Finals.
  • 2000: The last time the Pacers made it to the NBA Finals.
  • 23: The number of players with a triple-double in NBA history prior to Josh Hart's achievement.
  • 37: Boston's first-half points, a season-low.
  • 20: First-quarter points scored by the Celtics, a season low in a first quarter.
  • 17: Second-quarter points scored by the Celtics, a season low in a second quarter.

Sources:

  • USA TODAY: Jeff Zillgitt Columnist

Read more