Introduction to the Game
The New York Knicks have made it to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years, defeating the Boston Celtics 119-81 in Game 6. This victory marks the end of the Celtics’ one-year NBA title reign.
The Knicks’ win was met with immense celebration from the thousands of fans inside and outside Madison Square Garden. However, the team views this as just another step in their season and is not ready to celebrate just yet.
The Game Overview
The Knicks reached the conference finals with astonishing ease, rolling to a 119-81 victory in Game 6 on Friday night. Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby each scored 23 points for the Knicks. The team will face the Indiana Pacers, the same team they met in their last conference finals appearance in 2000, with Game 1 scheduled for Wednesday night in New York.
Post-Game Reactions
On the way to their post-game press conference, Josh Hart showed Mikal Bridges a video of a fan climbing a light pole outside the arena. Bridges expressed his excitement to be a part of the team, acknowledging the love New York has for its sports, especially the Knicks. However, he also emphasized that there is still more to achieve.
The Road to the Conference Finals
The Knicks hadn’t won a playoff series on their home floor since the 1999 East finals. The celebrating started late in the one-sided first half and was sure to carry on deep into the night around the arena. Bridges scored 22 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 for the Knicks, whose 38-point margin of victory was their largest in a postseason game.
The Opponent’s Perspective
Jaylen Brown scored 20 points for the Celtics, who lost leading scorer Jayson Tatum to a ruptured Achilles tendon in Game 4. Despite the setback, the Celtics believed they still had enough to get it back to Boston for Game 7 and keep their title defense alive. However, it was quickly clear that this wasn’t happening, with Boston coach Joe Mazzulla pulling his starters in the third quarter after the deficit reached 41 points.
The Turning Point
New York blew it open with a 13-3 run that made it 49-27, a surge highlighted by 6-foot-1 guard Deuce McBride’s chasedown block of White’s shot that led to Hart’s second straight basket while being fouled. The Knicks led 64-37 at halftime, a 27-point lead that matched their biggest in a playoff game in the shot-clock era.
Conclusion
The New York Knicks have made history by reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years. With their 119-81 victory over the Boston Celtics, they have ended the Celtics’ one-year NBA title reign. The team is set to face the Indiana Pacers in the conference finals, and while they are excited about their achievement, they are not ready to celebrate just yet.
FAQs
- Q: Who did the Knicks defeat to reach the Eastern Conference finals?
A: The Knicks defeated the Boston Celtics 119-81 in Game 6 to reach the Eastern Conference finals. - Q: Who will the Knicks face in the conference finals?
A: The Knicks will face the Indiana Pacers in the conference finals, with Game 1 scheduled for Wednesday night in New York. - Q: What was the margin of victory for the Knicks in Game 6?
A: The Knicks’ margin of victory was 38 points, their largest in a postseason game. - Q: What was the reaction of the fans to the Knicks’ win?
A: The fans inside and outside Madison Square Garden celebrated the Knicks’ win with immense enthusiasm, with thousands dancing and chanting.
