For the first time in 25 years, the New York Knicks are heading to the Eastern Conference finals.
The Knicks destroyed the Boston Celtics on Friday with a series-clinching 119-81 win in Game 6 to advance to their first conference finals since 2000.
With the Knicks leading the series 3-2, expectations were high in Madison Square Garden, with some of the most expensive tickets on record. New York exceeded expectations, demolishing Boston as the Celtics pulled their starters in the third quarter.
The Celtics were already at a major disadvantage with leading scorer Jayson Tatum out with a torn Achilles. But Friday’s game was an absolute smackdown, with New York dominating from start to finish.
The Knicks controlled the pace in the first half, building up a big lead. Though New York struggled with shooting at times, it didn’t matter — the Celtics struggled even more, with Jaylen Brown providing 18 of Boston’s 37 points after two quarters. Four Knicks scored in double figures to give New York a 27-point lead at halftime.
By the end of the third quarter, that lead had expanded to 35.
Brown, the Celtics’ top scorer with 20 points, fouled out partway through the third quarter. Without Tatum or Brown on the court, Boston’s quest for a title repeat was basically over.
It was a true team effort for New York: Six Knicks finished with double-digit points, with four scoring more than 20. OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson led the team with 23 points, while Mikal Bridges put up 22, and Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 points and 12 rebounds.
New York outplayed Boston everywhere, but rebounding was particularly lethal: The Knicks outrebounded the Celtics 55-36.
The Knicks took the first two games of the series after two straight comeback wins from 20-point deficits — an unprecedented feat. But the Celtics took the next one, before losing Tatum in Game 4. Boston then dominated the Knicks in Game 5, without Tatum, to bring the series to 3-2.
On Friday, the Celtics weren’t as lucky. The Knicks didn’t stay down for long, but it is interesting that despite the Celtics putting up the white flag in third quarter, starters Brunson, Anunoby, Towns and Josh Hart all played 32 minutes or more — with Anunoby leading the way with 37.
New York will now fill Madison Square Garden again, hosting the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
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