The New York Knicks closed out their first-round series in emphatic fashion on Friday, dismantling the Atlanta Hawks 140-89 in Game 6. The victory not only sealed the series but also marked one of the most lopsided playoff wins in franchise history.
Fight Overshadows Blowout
With the game already decided, tempers flared midway through the second quarter. New York center Mitchell Robinson and Atlanta guard Dyson Daniels were ejected after a scuffle under the basket. Robinson boxed out Daniels, and the confrontation escalated quickly, with officials and players rushing in to separate them.
An official even took a tumble in the chaos as the fight edged toward the courtside seats. Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu restrained Robinson, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker and head coach Quin Snyder pulled Daniels away.
“It’s tough because when you’re up that big, stuff happens,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “If somebody feels like something that shouldn’t happen to them happened, it’s hard to keep your composure in that moment.”
Historic Halftime Margin
By the time the altercation occurred, the Knicks were already in complete control. OG Anunoby’s free throws extended New York’s lead to 50 points with 4:39 left in the first half.
Atlanta’s frustration was understandable—the Hawks trailed 83-36 at halftime, the largest deficit ever recorded in NBA playoff history.
“I couldn’t see the details of the situation, who did what to whom,” Snyder said. “I know that both teams were competing, and they were having their way with us on many, many levels—as evidenced by the scoreboard.”
Knicks Advance, Hawks Exit
The Knicks’ dominance left little doubt about the outcome. Brunson orchestrated the offense, Anunoby provided defensive grit, and New York’s depth overwhelmed Atlanta from start to finish.
Brunson finished with 17 points and 8 assists, Anunoby fired a team-high 29 on 11-for-14 shooting, and Mikal Bridges added 24 on a 10-for-12 clip. Karl-Anthony Towns, meanwhile, notched his second triple-double of the series with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Jalen Johnson‘s 21 points, 8 boards, and 6 dimes led the Hawks.
The Knicks now await the winner of the first-round showdown between No. 2 Boston Celtics and No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers, which is headed for a Game 7. For the Hawks, the series ended in disappointment, capped by a night where frustration boiled over and history was made for all the wrong reasons.
