It finally happened — the New York Knicks are heading to the Eastern Conference Finals. And honestly, what a way to do it. They absolutely dominated the Boston Celtics with a 119–81 win in Game 6 at Madison Square Garden on May 16. It’s been 25 years since Knicks fans have seen their team this deep in the playoffs, and you could feel how much it meant — both on the court and in the crowd. It wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
Brunson, OG, KAT & Hart Step Up Big Time
The Knicks didn’t just win — they showed real team chemistry. Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby both dropped 23 points each and looked locked in from the start. Karl-Anthony Towns, who joined the team midseason, had one of his best games in a Knicks jersey — 21 points and 12 rebounds. He looked completely at home. Then there’s Josh Hart, who honestly does everything — and in this game, he got a triple-double. It just feels like everyone’s clicking at the right time.
Celtics Couldn’t Keep Up Without Tatum & Porziņģis
It’s hard not to feel a bit for Boston — they were missing some big names. Jayson Tatum sat out with an Achilles issue, and Kristaps Porziņģis couldn’t play either because of illness. Without them, the Celtics just didn’t look like themselves. They started flat and never really recovered. The Knicks took control early and didn’t let go. And you know what? Even with injuries, a 38-point loss in a playoff game is rough.
Knicks-Pacers: The 2000 Rivalry Returns
Next up for the Knicks? The Indiana Pacers. If you’ve followed this team for a while, you’ll remember the battles from back in the day — especially the 2000 Eastern Conference Finals, which was the last time these two met at this stage. Game 1 is set for Wednesday, May 21, right back at the Garden. Should be loud. Should be wild. And if the Knicks keep playing like this, they’ve got a real shot to keep this run going.
Emotions Were High After the Win — Even Stephen A. Got Some Heat
Once the game ended, you could tell this win meant a lot. Some of the Knicks players didn’t hold back, especially when it came to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith. He had picked the Celtics to win, and players like Brunson and KAT definitely let him know about it after the buzzer. You could just feel that fire — like this team believes they’re not done yet.
And the crowd? Packed with celebs. Spike Lee was there (as usual), and so were Timothée Chalamet and Bad Bunny. It felt like everyone wanted to be part of this moment.
The Knicks’ Journey So Far — Not Easy, But Worth It
Getting to the East Finals wasn’t some lucky break. The Knicks had to fight for it. Their first-round series against the 76ers was tight and tough. But once they got past that, they looked sharper. The defense got tighter, the ball movement improved, and guys like Donte DiVincenzo and Isaiah Hartenstein really stepped up when needed.
Let’s not forget coach Tom Thibodeau either. He’s been solid — putting together smart game plans, especially in this series. His focus on shutting down Boston’s three-point shooting and winning the rebound game paid off big time. The team clearly trusts him, and it shows in how they’re playing together.
