NBA Playoffs Knicks vs Celtics Game 6: Knicks Derail Celtics’ Back-to-Back Campaign and Advance to First Conference Finals Since 2000

The New York Knicks routed the Boston Celtics 119-81 in Game 6 to clinch the conference semifinals series 4-2. New York will play their first conference finals since 2000. On the other hand, the reigning champions failed to defend their title and lost the elimination game with a 38-point margin, one of the heaviest margins for a defending champions to get eliminated.

OG Anunoby had playoff career highs with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Four Knicks starters recorded at least 20 points in the series-clinching victory. Mikal Bridges dropped 22 on 9-for-15 shooting while Karl-Anthony Towns had 21, including 12 rebounds. Jalen Brunson dropped 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting while Josh Hart added a triple-double.

Also Read: New York Knicks Playoff History- What Does the Knicks’ Playoff Record Look Like?

Tatum-Less Celtics Fails to Counter Knicks’ Offensive Strength in Game 6

It was a one-way traffic at Madison Square Garden for the Knicks as they had their biggest lead of 41 points at one stage. At halftime, they held a 64-37 lead, matching their biggest in a playoff game in the shot-clock era. Boston was shooting 33.3% with 11 turnovers in first-half. Three Knicks players reached double-figures in first half which shows an offensive stretch of New York.

The Knicks had a 92-57 lead at the end of third quarter and during the process, New York set a franchise playoff record in rebounds (68) and three-point attempts (46). The Celtics went on a 9-0 run spanning the end of the third and start of the fourth quarter. With a 38-point blowout loss, Celtics faced a humiliation in the elimination game and the Knicks reached the conference finals for the first time in 25 years.

The Knicks haven’t won a playoff series on MSG since the 1999 Eastern Conference finals. It was also the last time when New York made it into the NBA Finals. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 20 points in the absence of Jayson Tatum, who is recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon. Al Horford was only the second player who recorded in double figure.

The Knicks will take on the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Both sides also met in the conference finals in 2000, the same year New York appeared in the conference finals for the last time.

Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images