Calling a blowout might seem like a breeze for a broadcaster, but for legendary announcer Mike Breen, Thursday night's Knicks-Hawks game presented a unique challenge—just not the one you'd expect.

The New York Knicks delivered one of the most dominant performances in NBA playoff history, crushing the Atlanta Hawks 140-89 to advance to the second round. The game wasn't even as close as the final score suggests, with the Knicks leading by as many as 61 points before easing off the gas in the third quarter. For a team that once trailed the series 2-1, this was a statement win that left even die-hard Knicks fans unsure how to react.

But for Breen, who bleeds Knicks blue but was calling the national broadcast, the early blowout created a tricky situation. On Friday, he joined ESPN New York's afternoon radio show, where host Alan Hahn asked about the art of keeping an audience engaged when the outcome is decided by halftime.

"Those are the hardest ones," Breen admitted. "But you work together as a team with your analysts and the people in the truck. The first thing you do after you know the outcome is long gone—you try to put it in historical perspective."

Breen revealed that he leaned on his broadcast partners, Tim Legler and Richard Jefferson, both of whom experienced similar blowouts during their playing days. Their firsthand insights added depth to the coverage, allowing the crew to reflect on what it feels like to be on the losing end. And since it was a clinching game, they also had the chance to wrap up Atlanta's season while previewing what's next for the Knicks.

"It is more challenging," Breen continued. "We'd much rather have a one-point game decided in the final seconds, but it does give you an opportunity to get into some other topics."

Fortunately for Breen, he's no stranger to calling lopsided games. As the longtime voice of the Knicks, he's spent years broadcasting during the team's leaner seasons before the Leon Rose era turned things around. But even for a seasoned pro, keeping viewers locked in during a 51-point rout is a skill that takes more than just a great voice—it takes creativity, teamwork, and a little bit of history.