Historic Knicks Thrash Hawks to Advance Scaring them

The New York Knicks delivered a historic performance to close out their series against the Atlanta Hawks with an unprecedented rout (140-89) in the sixth game, securing a spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals. What began as a quiet murmur erupted into an uncontrollable explosion at the State Farm Arena, where the New York team shattered all records and left no room for doubt.

The game took an immediate turn: from a two-point deficit, they surged to a 25-point lead by the end of the first quarter. From there on, their dominance was absolute. By halftime, the Knicks were already up by 47 points, setting a new NBA playoff record, surpassing the previous records of 41 set by the Indiana Pacers in 2025 and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017. The final +51 also stands as the franchise's largest postseason victory in history.

The sixth encounter was the culmination of a devastating progression. After losing two games by a point and trailing 2-1 in the series, the Knicks responded with increasingly resounding victories: first by 14, then by 29, and finally this crushing display. Coach Mike Brown explained the shift: "The most important thing is that we had to change our offense. Not as drastically as we did mid-season, but we had to do it because every possession was a battle in those first three games, especially at the end."

That offensive adjustment had a name: Karl-Anthony Towns. For the third consecutive game, he led the offensive system from the playmaking position, creating constant movement and disrupting Atlanta's smaller defense. He secured his second triple-double of the series with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Brown praised that process: "They forced us to think and play differently. Finding ways to make the game easier for our players, putting them in their strengths without limiting them."

The change also propelled other key players. OG Anunoby was one of the big beneficiaries, nearly outscoring the Hawks by himself in the first half and finishing with 29 points, cementing his great form in the series. Additionally, Mikal Bridges, heavily criticized in previous games, responded with a 10-for-12 shooting performance for 24 points and five rebounds. Brown highlighted, "He was great. He did what he's capable of. And I don't want it to go unnoticed that his defense was phenomenal, just like his rebounding."

There was also internal acknowledgment of collective growth. Jalen Brunson summarized the team's focus: "We always tell ourselves we want to win, that's the most important thing. We've said it a lot. When decisions like these come, it's about acting."

The Hawks, overwhelmed

In contrast, the Hawks never found an answer to the New York storm, being completely outmatched on both ends of the court. The series ended up showcasing a widening gap between the two teams as the games progressed.

The only negative point of the night came in the second quarter when Mitchell Robinson was ejected following a scuffle with Dyson Daniels. Both had been engaging in clashes throughout the series, and the situation nearly escalated into the stands before being contained. Brown explained the context, "It's tough because when you're winning by so much, things happen. If someone feels that something is happening that shouldn't, it's hard to keep calm in that moment."

While other Eastern teams are still embroiled in tight series, the Knicks advance with authority and time to rest, awaiting the winner between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers. Their performance in this final game not only concluded the series but also sent a clear message to the rest of the contenders.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Paliza histórica de los Knicks ante los Hawks para pasar de ronda metiendo miedo