The Knicks dominated in Game 6.
The New York Knicks are headed back to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the fourth straight year, and the way they punched their ticket on Thursday night left no room for debate about what this team can be when everything clicks.
New York demolished the Atlanta Hawks 140-89 in Game 6, the largest playoff win in franchise history and a 51-point blowout that set an NBA postseason record with a 47-point halftime lead.
Brunson Pointed to the Defensive End
After the game, Jalen Brunson talked about what the performance meant beyond just the final score.
"Yeah, I mean the ball was going through the hoop. We were able to get stops, run in transition, get layups," Brunson said. "It really came down to our defense. It allowed us to play fast and make shots. Most importantly, it shows us what we're capable of defensively, and I think that's really important. We still have a long road to travel, so staying locked in and knowing where we're capable of is key."
That quote reveals where Brunson's head is at right now.
He averaged 26.0 points and 6.8 assists per game during the regular season while shooting 46.7 percent from the field, and he dropped 39 in Game 5 to give New York a 3-2 series lead.
But even after all of that, it was the defensive side of the ball that stood out to him most.
The Last Three Games Showed Everything
The Knicks trailed the Hawks 2-1 after losing Games 2 and 3 by a single point each, and there were real questions about whether this group could respond under pressure. What followed answered every one of them.
New York outscored Atlanta by a combined 85 points over Games 4, 5 and 6, and the defense was the engine behind all of it.
OG Anunoby was unreal in the closeout game, going 11-for-14 from the field for 29 points while Mikal Bridges added 24 on 10-of-12 shooting.
Karl-Anthony Towns finished with a triple-double of 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, continuing to show why Mike Brown has leaned on him as the X-factor throughout the series.
Towns averaged 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds during the regular season for the 53-29 Knicks, and his willingness to facilitate alongside his scoring has added a new layer to this offense.
What It Means Going Forward
All 15 Knicks players scored in Game 6, and the starters rested for most of the fourth quarter with the game well out of reach.
That matters heading into a second-round matchup against the Celtics-76ers winner, which is going to Game 7.
But Brunson's words carry the most weight here.
He was not celebrating the blowout itself. He was pointing to the fact that the Knicks now have proof of what they can accomplish when the defense reaches its peak.
That awareness, combined with winning three straight after falling behind, is what makes this team feel different heading into the next round.