New York Knicks Overpower Boston Celtics, Secure Eastern Conference Finals Spot for First Time Since the Year 2000
Parisin' '23 took the New York Knicks by storm, ousting the reigning NBA titlists, the Boston Celtics, with a jaw-dropping 119-81 win in Game 6 of their second-round battle at Madison Square Garden. With this victory, the Knicks stamp their ticket to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since the Millennium.
Historic Win at Madison Square Garden
The Knicks will now square off against the Indiana Pacers, who dethroned them in the conference semifinals last year during Game 7, on Wednesday under the bright lights of NYC.
Coach Tom Thibodeau kept it simple following Game 6, "It's a massive win, and now you gotta move on. But remember, the Pacers are a powerhouse team, and we gotta get ready to face them."
In an electrifying series-winning performance, four Knicks poured in at least 20 points apiece – Jalen Brunson (23), OG Anunoby (23), Mikal Bridges (22), and Karl-Anthony Towns (21).
Record-Breaking Win
The 38-point margin of victory for the Knicks marked the biggest postseason victory in the annals of the franchise. In addition, Josh Hart achieved a whopping triple-double (10 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists), becoming the first Knick to record a postseason triple-double since the legendary Walt Frazier in the '70s.
Hart and Bridges were seen laughing and smiling as they made their way towards the locker room, with The BSG pole-climber video playing in the background.
"New Yorkers live and breathe their sports, especially the Knicks," Bridges shared his thoughts. "I'm just happy to be here, and we haven't peaked yet – we've got much further to go."
Meanwhile, the Celtics appeared distraught as they fell short of their goal in 2025, with key player Jayson Tatum sustaining a season-ending Achilles injury in Game 4. Though they valiantly attempted to juggle the cards they were dealt, they could not recover from their rough start in New York.
In the historic win at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks successfully advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since the Millennium. They will now face the Indiana Pacers, who ousted them in the conference semifinals last year, in their quest for the NBA title. In the series-winning performance, four Knicks scored at least 20 points each, and Josh Hart set a record by achieving a postseason triple-double, the first for a Knick since Walt Frazier in the 1970s. Despite their victory, the Knicks remain focused on their ultimate goal in sports – basketball playoffs and the upcoming NBA finals. The distraught Celtics, who suffered a season-ending injury to key player Jayson Tatum, could not recover from their rough start in New York.
