Knicks Crush Celtics 119–81, Reach 1st East Finals Since 2000/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The New York Knicks steamrolled the Boston Celtics 119–81 in Game 6 to clinch a spot in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years. With standout performances from Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, the Knicks now prepare to face the Indiana Pacers. Boston’s title defense ends as injuries and poor play sealed their fate.
Knicks vs. Celtics Game 6: Quick Looks
- Knicks beat Celtics 119–81 in Game 6 at MSG.
- First Eastern Conference finals appearance for New York since 2000.
- Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 23 points each.
- Knicks will face Indiana Pacers starting Wednesday in Game 1.
- Josh Hart posted a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.
- Celtics lost star Jayson Tatum to a ruptured Achilles in Game 4.
- New York’s 38-point win is the biggest playoff margin in franchise history.
- Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla pulled starters early as game slipped away.
- Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for 43 points.
- MSG and surrounding NYC streets erupted in wild fan celebration.
Knicks Crush Celtics 119–81, Reach 1st East Finals Since 2000
Deep Look
Knicks Obliterate Celtics 119–81, Clinch First East Finals Spot Since 2000
NEW YORK — The New York Knicks are heading back to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years, and they made the trip there in jaw-dropping fashion. In front of a raucous Madison Square Garden crowd, the Knicks decimated the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics 119–81 in Game 6 on Friday night.
It wasn’t just a win — it was a statement.
Led by Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby with 23 points apiece, New York dominated from tip to buzzer, building a 27-point lead by halftime and never looking back. Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 points and Mikal Bridges scored 22, fueling an offensive onslaught that left the Celtics stunned and the Garden in full celebration mode.
“We advance, but it’s not over,” Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said postgame. “The Pacers are up next, and they’re a terrific team.”
Indeed, the Knicks now face a familiar foe: the Indiana Pacers, the same team they met during their last trip to the conference finals back in 2000. Game 1 tips off Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
A Night to Remember in the Garden
The last time the Knicks won a playoff series at home was during the 1999 Eastern Conference finals. The long wait made Friday night’s blowout all the more electric. Fans chanted, danced, and even climbed street poles outside the arena as jubilation spilled out across Manhattan.
“You can feel how much this means to New York,” said Bridges. “The city is alive.”
The 38-point margin of victory marked the largest in Knicks postseason history, eclipsing decades of gritty, low-scoring playoff contests. It also serves as a symbolic changing of the guard in the Eastern Conference, as the Celtics’ brief title reign comes to a crashing end.
Celtics Collapse Without Tatum
Boston entered the game already reeling from the loss of star forward Jayson Tatum, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in Game 4. His absence proved too much for the Celtics to overcome. Jaylen Brown managed 20 points, but the rest of the team struggled to find rhythm.
Coach Joe Mazzulla pulled his starters midway through the third quarter with the deficit ballooning past 40 points.
“We had a goal at the beginning of the year, and we fell short,” Celtics guard Derrick White admitted. “This wasn’t the same team as last year.”
The Knicks capitalized on Boston’s disarray with a relentless two-way attack. One of the game’s highlights came when Deuce McBride, the Knicks’ 6-foot-1 guard, chased down White for a block that ignited the crowd and helped fuel a 13–3 run. That surge pushed the Knicks ahead 49–27, and the rout was on.
Star Power on the Court — and in the Crowd
As the Knicks ran away with the game, even the celebrities courtside couldn’t hide their excitement. Actor Ben Stiller and musician Lenny Kravitz shared a celebratory hug as the Knicks stormed into halftime with a 64–37 lead. That 27-point margin matched the largest halftime lead in franchise playoff history during the shot-clock era.
The Knicks’ dominance was reminiscent of the team’s glory days, particularly Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals when Willis Reed’s heroic return led them to their first championship.
Josh Hart sealed the night with a triple-double — 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists — a rare feat that underlined his importance on both ends of the court.
What’s Next?
The Knicks are now four wins away from an NBA Finals berth. To get there, they’ll have to get past the Indiana Pacers — a fast, aggressive squad that’s had a strong playoff run of their own. But after a win this decisive, the Knicks have momentum and the full backing of a basketball-starved city.
“We’re not done,” said Brunson. “This is a step, but the journey continues.”
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