Heading into Friday’s Game 6, the New York Knicks had not reached the Eastern Conference finals since 2000, a dry spell that coincides with the advent of the camera phone. However, the Knicks turned the tide in spectacular fashion, achieving a remarkable victory with a 119-81 rout over the Boston Celtics. This win marks New York's return to the conference finals for the first time in a quarter-century, setting up a highly anticipated rematch against the Indiana Pacers, who eliminated the Knicks in last year's playoffs during a grueling seven-game series.
The Knicks began the second quarter with a six-point lead, quickly extending it to 13 as the Celtics crumbled under pressure. The lead ballooned to 16 points and then 21 as New York demonstrated their dominance. By halftime, the Knicks held a commanding 64-37 advantage, powered by five players—Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges—each scoring in double digits. The second half saw no let-up from the Knicks, allowing some starters to rest for nearly half of the final quarter.
“(The Celtics are) not going to hand you anything. You have to earn it, and I felt we did that,” said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau after the game. Brunson and Anunoby each contributed 23 points, while Bridges added 22 and Towns scored 21. On the Celtics side, Jaylen Brown led with 20 points, but the team struggled overall, with Derrick White only managing eight points.
After 25 long, humbling seasons, the Knicks have finally returned to the Eastern Conference finals. This victory over the Celtics was not only significant but also marked their best performance of the playoffs. By the end of the third quarter, the Knicks led by an astonishing 45 points, prompting Boston coach Joe Mazzulla to insert his bench players before the fourth quarter even began. For Knicks fans, this performance is both a source of joy and frustration—joy for the victory but frustration that this championship-caliber level of play is so rarely seen.
The Knicks displayed exceptional defense and a balanced offense, showcasing a team that has the potential to reach the NBA Finals and compete for a championship. This was a far cry from the communication issues that plagued them in the second half of Game 5. Thursday night exemplified the best version of Knicks basketball that fans have witnessed this season. — James Edwards III, Knicks beat writer
To secure a spot in the NBA Finals, the Knicks must first conquer their longstanding rivals, the Pacers. Indiana has demonstrated remarkable dominance throughout the postseason, losing only two games and decisively eliminating the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this week. The Pacers play at a fast pace and have emerged as a formidable defensive team in the latter half of the season. The upcoming series is expected to resemble the Knicks' matchup against the Pistons rather than their recent contest with the Celtics, as New York has established itself as a legitimate NBA title contender.
The Celtics’ exit from the playoffs represents a significant disappointment for the franchise, now overshadowed by the injury to Jayson Tatum and the team's overall performance. Although Boston entered the series with injuries, the Knicks also faced challenges, with Brunson suffering an ankle injury in Game 4 against the Pistons. The Celtics struggled to find momentum in Game 6, appearing listless from the beginning. Despite Brown’s efforts in Tatum's absence, he hesitated to attack the rim, allowing Knicks players like Mitchell Robinson to stifle his attempts. The Celtics' lack of depth and reliance on Brown and White ultimately led to their downfall.
This defeat marks a rare instance of the Celtics lacking resilience, something they previously displayed during their conference finals against the Miami Heat two seasons ago. Now, they are left to consider their future as they head home. — Jared Weiss, Celtics beat writer
The Knicks silenced any doubts raised after their Game 5 performance. They returned to the court with renewed intensity, demonstrating exceptional defense and a fast-paced offense. The Knicks overwhelmed the Celtics, who seemed to have exhausted all their energy in the previous game. New York's players swarmed the basketball, attacking the rim with vigor. Towns showcased a level of physicality that the Celtics couldn't match, while Robinson consistently locked down multiple Boston players. Josh Hart was everywhere on the court, and Miles “Deuce” McBride made a highlight-reel block that energized the Madison Square Garden crowd.
This performance epitomized the elite version of the Knicks that the organization envisioned when building the team last summer. Now, they stand on the brink of potentially capturing their first championship title in decades. — Fred Katz, NBA senior writer
The Celtics now face a turbulent offseason following a disappointing playoff exit. With Tatum's injury sidelining him for an extended period, the franchise must consider significant changes to their roster. Brad Stevens may need to explore major overhauls, especially given the financial constraints facing the team. Even prior to Tatum’s injury, the Celtics were struggling to maintain their postseason hopes, and the series loss has raised questions about the future direction of the team. As Boston grapples with these challenges, the landscape of the roster could look dramatically different by the time Tatum returns to the court. — Jay King, Celtics beat writer
