Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The New York Knicks routed the defending champion Boston Celtics 119–81 to reach their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000. The 38-point margin marked the largest postseason win in franchise history. It served as a poetic answer to their 25-point Game 5 loss at TD Garden.
The Knicks controlled the game early, leading by 27 at halftime and by 41 overall. Boston played shorthanded without Jayson Tatum, who tore his Achilles tendon in Game 4. The Celtics couldn’t replace the huge scoring load he carried.
Jaylen Brown and Derrick White combined for only 28 points on 11-for-31 shooting. Their poor performance followed a stellar Game 5 effort in which they scored 60 points together. Brown later fouled out after biting on a Brunson pump fake, sealing the Celtics’ collapse.
The Knicks exploded in the second quarter, outscoring Boston 38–17. That 21-point advantage became the franchise’s best playoff quarter differential since 1996.
It was tied for the most points scored in a quarter (38) in franchise postseason history and also the highest quarter point differential in a quarter (+21) in a playoff game in franchise history since 1996. Four of the Knicks’ starting five finished with 20+ points, with Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby leading at 23 apiece and All-Star big man Karl Anthony-Towns finishing with a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double.
New York celebrated the win but maintained focus. They now prepare for a fast, frenetic Pacers team. Indiana will test their durability, especially against a Knicks squad that played its starters heavy minutes all year.
“It’s a great win. We advance. You look at that, but you also understand you have to get ready for the next series,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “The Pacers are a terrific team and we’re going to have to be ready.”
To show how long it has been since the Knicks reached the Conference Finals, consider the world in 2000. Social media didn’t exist. At that time, there was no Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, or YouTube… I wasn’t even born yet.
“Survivor” and “ER” ruled television. NSYNC’s “No Strings Attached” topped album charts. Many people even feared the world would end as the new century began.
That’s how long the wait lasted.
The Knicks now look to get past the Pacers to reach their first NBA Finals since 1999. They’ll have four days of rest before Game 1 tips off Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.
Stand up, New York, the time is now.
Yep, we have one too
