On May 16, 2025, the New York Knicks delivered a historic 119-81 rout of the Boston Celtics in Game 6 at Madison Square Garden, clinching their first Eastern Conference Finals berth since 2000. The New York Knicks, led by Josh Hart’s triple-double and OG Anunoby’s 37 points, dismantled the defending champions, ending Boston’s repeat hopes.
This article recaps the New York Knicks’ dominant performance, key contributors, and their upcoming matchup against the Indiana Pacers, offering fans a detailed analysis of a landmark victory.
Background: A Season of Grit and Ambition
The New York Knicks, seeded third in the East with a 51-31 record, entered the 2025 NBA Playoffs as underdogs against the 61-21 Celtics, per ESPN. After a hard-fought first-round win over the Detroit Pistons, the New York Knicks stunned Boston with 20-point comeback victories in Games 1 and 2, taking a 2-0 lead, per Yahoo Sports.
According to The Athletic, the Knicks recovered from a 22-point setback in Game 3 and a 127-102 loss in Game 5 thanks to offseason transactions for Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, which came for five first-round selections and Julius Randle. Fans paid record-high ticket fees to watch history as the New York Knicks dominated Game 6 thanks to their tenacity, which was exemplified by Jalen Brunson’s leadership, according to Yahoo Sports.
Game 6 Recap: Knicks’ Dominance Unleashed
The New York Knicks overwhelmed the Tatum-less Celtics, who lost their star to a torn Achilles in Game 4, per ESPN. New York surged to a 27-point halftime lead, with four starters in double figures, per Yahoo Sports. Hart’s 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists marked the Knicks’ first postseason triple-double since 1972, per ESPN.
According to The Athletic, Towns dominated the paint with 19 points and eight rebounds, while Anunoby led with 37 points on 14 of 20 shooting. According to The Athletic, Mitchell Robinson neutralized Boston’s frontcourt with 13 rebounds and defensive stops.
According to Yahoo Sports, Boston’s Jaylen Brown scored 18 points, but their 37 first-half points and 35.8% field goal percentage were indicative of New York’s oppressive defense. According to ESPN, the Knicks’ 38-point advantage set a franchise postseason record. According to ESPN, coach Tom Thibodeau commended the team’s reaction to Game 5’s “disgusting” effort, highlighting urgency and communication.
The New York Knicks shot 48% from the field and forced 15 turnovers, with Bridges and Anunoby hounding Boston’s wings, per The Athletic. Posts on X, like @nyknicks, erupted with “EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS BOUND,” capturing fan euphoria.
Tactical Brilliance and Standout Performers
The New York Knicks executed Thibodeau’s vision: relentless defense, balanced offense, and hustle. Their 4.2 steals per game from the regular season translated to eight in Game 6, with Robinson’s three steals pivotal, per The Athletic. Towns’ physicality and transition threes, paired with Brunson’s 22 points and six assists, overwhelmed Boston’s depleted lineup, per Yahoo Sports.
Anunoby’s two-way play, including a steal on a Brown pick-and-pop, showcased the value of his $212 million deal, per The Athletic. Boston’s Luke Kornet and Derrick White couldn’t match New York’s intensity, with the Celtics pulling starters in the third quarter, per Yahoo Sports.
What’s Next: Facing the Pacers
The New York Knicks now host the No. 4 Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 20, per ESPN. The Pacers, fresh off defeating Miami, rely on Tyrese Haliburton’s 8.9 assists per game and Pascal Siakam’s scoring, per The Athletic.
New York’s defensive duo of Bridges and Anunoby must contain Haliburton, while Towns faces Myles Turner’s rim protection, per Yahoo Sports. With a plus-35 scoring margin when Robinson plays, per The Athletic, the Knicks are favored to reach their first NBA Finals since 1999, per CBS Sports.
Why the New York Knicks’ Win Matters
The New York Knicks’ Game 6 triumph is a milestone, ending a 25-year conference finals drought and dethroning the champions. For fans, it’s a celebration of resilience, with Brunson, Hart, and Towns embodying New York’s heart. The victory sets up a thrilling Pacers series, with Madison Square Garden poised to roar again, per The Athletic. Read more.
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