The New York Knicks sent shockwaves through the NBA on Friday night, securing a dominant 119-81 victory over the defending champion Boston Celtics in Game 6. This thrilling win not only propelled the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years but also spared them the intense pressure of a Game 7 on the road. With this monumental win, the Knicks avoided further drama and are now set to face the Indiana Pacers for a shot at the NBA Finals.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the charge with an impressive 21 points and 12 rebounds. Alongside him, Jalen Brunson added 23 points, six assists, and six rebounds, showing why he’s one of the league’s most dynamic players. However, it was Josh Hart who truly stole the spotlight, recording a stunning triple-double with 10 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds in a game brimming with unforgettable statistics.
Now, as the Knicks shift their focus to the Pacers, who await them in the Eastern Conference Finals, we take a closer look at the wild numbers and quirky stats that emerged from this historic Game 6.
Historic Moment for the Knicks
This victory marks the Knicks’ first appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals since 2000. For a franchise that has been starved for success, this is a momentous achievement. Heading into Game 6, the Knicks held the league’s third-longest streak without making it this far in the playoffs. The only teams with a longer streak were the Charlotte Hornets (who have never reached this stage) and the Washington Wizards, whose last appearance in the conference finals was in 1979.
A Personal Connection for Brunson
Jalen Brunson’s achievement carries extra weight. The last time the Knicks made it to this point in the postseason, Brunson was just three years old. Moreover, his father, Rick Brunson, who serves as an assistant coach for the Knicks, was part of that 2000 team. It’s a full-circle moment for Jalen, whose performance in Game 6 helped propel his team to a place they haven’t been in over two decades.
Statistically Speaking
Game 6 brought an array of wild numbers that added to the spectacle. One unique detail noted by the quirky NBA Scorigami feed was that the 119-81 scoreline was the 3,168th distinct final score in NBA history and the 23rd of the season. This result was as rare as it was decisive.
The Celtics, who had been playing with an injured Jayson Tatum, found themselves in uncharted waters. Late in the third quarter, they trailed by 41 points—a deficit they had never encountered before in this year’s playoffs. Before this game, their largest playoff deficit had been a mere 12 points, making this loss even more stunning. This was also just the third time all season that the Celtics lost by 20 or more points, with their biggest defeat of the year being 21 points.
Celtics’ Struggles
The Celtics had a historically rough game, posting their lowest first-half score of the season (just 37 points). Their 20-point output in the first quarter and 17 in the second were both season lows for the first half. It was clear that the Knicks’ defense was locked in, stifling Boston’s offensive flow and rendering them helpless on the court.
Meanwhile, New York exploded offensively, finishing the first half with 64 points—another season-high for the Celtics’ defense. This 27-point lead at halftime matched the largest halftime advantage in Knicks playoff history, underscoring how dominant the team had been up to that point.
Josh Hart’s Historic Triple-Double
Perhaps the most stunning stat of the night came courtesy of Josh Hart. The Knicks forward became the first player in franchise history to record a triple-double in a playoff game since Walt Frazier in 1972. Frazier, a legendary Knick and current TV analyst, was courtside to witness Hart’s feat, further solidifying the historic nature of the performance. Hart’s triple-double is just the third in Knicks’ playoff history, joining the ranks of Frazier and Dick McGuire.
A Familiar Rivalry with the Pacers
Looking ahead, the Knicks will face a familiar foe in the Indiana Pacers. This marks the ninth time the two teams have squared off in the playoffs, with the Pacers holding a slight edge in the series at five wins to the Knicks’ three. Their rivalry during the 1990s and early 2000s remains one of the most intense in NBA history, and this upcoming showdown will surely reignite those historic flames.
As the Knicks prepare for Game 1 against the Pacers, which is set for Wednesday night in New York, the team and their fans are relishing this long-awaited moment. It’s been 25 years since the Knicks made it this far, and the excitement in New York City is palpable. With a team full of hungry players and a city behind them, the Knicks are ready to push forward and take the next step toward their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.
