In a performance that will be remembered for years, the New York Knicks delivered a historic beatdown to the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night, winning 140-89 in Game 6 to close out the series. It was the largest playoff victory in franchise history, and the Knicks didn't just win—they dominated from the opening tip.
OG Anunoby was unstoppable, pouring in 29 points in just 27 minutes, with 26 of those coming in the first half alone. Karl-Anthony Towns notched his second triple-double of the series, finishing with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Mikal Bridges added 24 points as the Knicks' offense ran like a well-oiled machine.
The game was essentially over by halftime. New York's 40-15 first-quarter lead was the largest in the shot clock era, and their 47-point halftime advantage set a new playoff record. The final 51-point margin tied for the sixth-largest in NBA postseason history. The Knicks even cracked the 100-point mark with 8:21 still left in the third quarter, and their starters were resting by the 2:45 mark of the same period.
Tensions boiled over in the second quarter when Dyson Daniels and Mitchell Robinson were ejected after a fight broke out following a pair of free throws from Anunoby that pushed the Knicks' lead to 50 points. It was that kind of night for Atlanta—overwhelmed and outclassed on their home floor.
Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, the 76ers kept their season alive with a commanding win over Boston, forcing a Game 7. Tyrese Maxey led the way with 30 points, while a resurgent Paul George added 23 points in what was Philadelphia's most complete game of the series. Joel Embiid, returning early from an appendectomy, chipped in 19 points to steady the ship.
The highlight of the night came in the third quarter when Kelly Oubre Jr. blocked Jaylen Brown, Maxey scooped up the loose ball, and fed George on the break. George then delivered a dazzling behind-the-back pass to VJ Edgecombe, who finished with a thunderous dunk to push the Sixers' lead to 69-54. It was the kind of play that can shift momentum in a series—and the Sixers will need all of that energy heading into Game 7.