The New York Knicks didn't just beat the Atlanta Hawks in Thursday night's Game 6 — they obliterated them, rewriting the NBA playoff record book in a stunning 140-89 victory that sent a resounding message to the rest of the Eastern Conference. The 51-point win, the largest in franchise postseason history, sealed the first-round series 4-2 and punched the Knicks' ticket to the conference semifinals for the fourth straight year.
OG Anunoby delivered a masterclass performance, pouring in 29 points in just 27 minutes — 26 of those coming in the first half alone — as the Knicks raced to an unfathomable 83-36 halftime lead. The 47-point margin at the break stands as the largest halftime lead in NBA playoff history, surpassing the previous record of 50 points set by the Mavericks against the Clippers in 2020.
How the Knicks Built a Historic Blowout
From the opening tip, it was clear this would be no ordinary game. The Knicks exploded for a 40-15 first quarter, the largest first-quarter lead of the shot clock era, before putting together a staggering 63-11 run that stretched from the first quarter deep into the second. By the time the dust settled on the first half, New York had connected on 58.8% of their field goals while holding Atlanta to just 37.8% shooting.
Karl-Anthony Towns notched his second triple-double of the series with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, becoming just the fourth player in Knicks history to record multiple playoff triple-doubles. Mikal Bridges added 24 points, while every Knicks starter finished in double figures. The starters were resting on the bench with 2:45 still remaining in the third quarter after New York pushed the lead to as many as 61 points.
Timeline: How the Record-Setting Night Unfolded
First Quarter (40-15): The Knicks open the game on a 17-2 run. Anunoby scores 12 points in the period. Atlanta commits 7 turnovers. The 25-point margin is the largest first-quarter lead of the shot clock era in NBA playoff history.
Second Quarter (43-21): The onslaught continues. The 63-11 run spanning the first and second quarters effectively ends the game. With 8:43 remaining in the half, Dyson Daniels and Mitchell Robinson are ejected after a fight following free throws by Anunoby that push the lead to 50. At halftime, the Knicks lead 83-36 — the largest halftime lead in NBA playoff history.
Third Quarter (34-28): New York exceeds 100 points with 8:21 left in the period. The lead swells to 61 points. Knicks starters exit for good with 2:45 remaining.
Fourth Quarter (23-25): Both teams empty their benches. The final margin settles at 51 points — tied for the sixth-largest margin of victory in NBA postseason history and the largest in Knicks playoff history (previous: +38 vs. Boston in 2025).
What This Win Means for the Knicks' Championship Aspirations
The Knicks entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 53-29 record under head coach Mike Brown, marking their third straight 50-win season. After splitting the first two games in New York and falling behind 2-1 in the series, the Knicks ripped off three consecutive wins — the last two by increasingly dominant margins.
"We found something these last three games," Anunoby said after the game. "The way we're moving the ball, defending, rebounding — it all clicked at the right time."
The Hawks, who finished the regular season 46-36 as the No. 6 seed, had no answer for New York's balanced attack. Atlanta shot just 12-for-39 from the field in the first half and committed 14 turnovers before intermission. Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 21 points, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker, CJ McCollum and Jonathan Kuminga each added 11 in the losing effort. Kuminga was a minus-40 in just 12 first-half minutes.
Where the Knicks Stand Now in the 2026 Playoff Race
The Knicks now await the winner of the Boston Celtics-Philadelphia 76ers series — a matchup that could determine just how deep New York's playoff run goes. The Celtics hold a 3-2 series lead with Game 6 scheduled for Friday night. Regardless of opponent, the Knicks have served notice: this is not the same team that has fallen short in previous postseasons.
"The margin for error gets smaller every round," Towns said. "But if we play like we did tonight, we can beat anybody."
The Knicks' 140 points marked their highest playoff output in franchise history, surpassing the 137 they scored against Boston in the 1990 playoffs. Their 63-point first-half outburst was the most by any team in a playoff half since 1990.
What's Next: The Road Through the East Semifinals
Should the Celtics close out the 76ers, the Knicks would face a Boston team that finished second in the East and swept the regular-season series against New York 3-1. A matchup with Philadelphia would present a different challenge, with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey leading a 76ers squad that pushed the Celtics to the brink despite being the No. 7 seed.
Whichever team emerges, the Knicks have the rest advantage — New York closed out its series first among the remaining Eastern Conference matchups. The Eastern Conference semifinals are scheduled to begin early next week.
The Bottom Line: Key Takeaways from Game 6
- Largest halftime lead in NBA playoff history: 47 points (83-36)
- Largest first-quarter lead of the shot clock era: 25 points (40-15)
- Tied for sixth-largest playoff win margin: 51 points (140-89)
- Largest playoff win in Knicks franchise history: Surpassed +38 vs. Boston in 2025
- Knicks advance to East semifinals: Will face Celtics-76ers winner
- Knicks are 3-0 in playoff series-clinching games since 2025
