Biggest blowouts in NBA playoffs: Where Knicks' 51-point domination of Hawks ranks in basketball history

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Biggest blowouts in NBA playoffs: Where Knicks' 51-point domination of Hawks ranks in basketball history

Biggest blowouts in NBA playoffs: Where Knicks' 51-point domination of Hawks ranks in basketball history

New York approached NBA playoff history as it closed out its first-round series vs. Atlanta.

Biggest blowouts in NBA playoffs: Where Knicks' 51-point domination of Hawks ranks in basketball history

New York approached NBA playoff history as it closed out its first-round series vs. Atlanta.

The New York Knicks just delivered a statement that will echo through NBA playoff history. After a tense start to their first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks, the Knicks didn't just close out the series—they demolished it with a 51-point victory in Game 6.

The final score of 140-89 tells only part of the story. During one jaw-dropping stretch, New York went on a 67-13 run that left the Hawks scrambling and the Madison Square Garden crowd in a frenzy. It was the kind of performance that transforms a competitive series into a highlight reel for the ages.

So where does this monumental win rank among the biggest blowouts in NBA playoff history? The Knicks came close to the top, but they'll have to settle for a share of sixth place. That ties them with last year's Thunder-Grizzlies matchup and places them just behind the all-time greats.

The record books show two games tied for the largest margin of victory: a 58-point thrashing by the Denver Nuggets over the New Orleans Hornets in 2009, and a 58-point rout by the Minneapolis Lakers over the Fort Wayne Pistons way back in 1956. Both remain untouchable at the summit of playoff dominance.

That 2009 game was a masterclass in sustained destruction. Carmelo Anthony poured in 26 points, Chauncey Billups added 17, and the Nuggets led by 21 after the first quarter. They didn't let up either—outscoring the Hornets 27-11 in the third quarter and 33-13 in the fourth. It was basketball as art, brutal and beautiful all at once.

For the Knicks, this victory marks a turning point. After falling behind 2-1 in the series, they rallied to win three straight, with Thursday night serving as the exclamation point. It's the kind of momentum that can carry a team deep into the playoffs, and it's a reminder that in the NBA, history can be made in a single, unforgettable night.

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