Knicks dominate Hawks by 51 points, etching a historic playoff blowout with a record-setting halftime lead.
The New York Knicks made history Thursday night and did so emphatically. Not only did the team move on to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, extending their playoff run, but they logged the fifth-highest scoring margin in a playoff game in NBA history in the process.
The Knicks' 140-89 win over the Atlanta Hawks was nothing short of dominant. The 51-point victory tied last year's Oklahoma City Thunder 131-80 blowout of the Memphis Grizzlies to sneak into the top-five largest postseason wins in the NBA.
For more on the historic victory, including a 41-5 run and record-setting 47-point halftime deficit, Knicks Roundtable writer Will Eudy has the breakdown.
Largest Playoff Victories in NFL History
- T-No. 1: Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Pelicans, 2009: 121-63 (58 points)
- T-No. 1: Minneapolis Lakers vs. St. Louis Hawks, 1956: 133-75 (58 points)
- No. 3: Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors, 1973: 126-70 (56 points)
- No. 4: Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks, 2015: 120-66 (54 points)
- T-No. 5 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 2025: 131-80 (51 points)
- T-No. 5 New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks, 2026: 140-89 (51 points)
The Knicks will now advance to take on the winner of Sunday's Game 7 matchup between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers.
The Sixers pulled off their own big win, though with a lesser scoring margin, Thursday night. Philadelphia fended off elimination for a second consecutive game with its 106-93 win.
On Friday night, the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers have a chance to also advance with wins. But New York's will stand alone, at least for a little while, in history.