The New York Knicks dominated the Atlanta Hawks 140-89 in Game 6 of their first-round NBA playoff series on Thursday, setting a playoff record with a 47-point halftime lead (83-36) en route to a 51-point win and a 4-2 series victory after dropping the first two games. OG Anunoby scored 29 points efficiently, Karl-Anthony Towns notched a triple-double, and Mikal Bridges added 24 as New York outscored Atlanta by 105 points over the series and now awaits the Celtics-76ers Game 7 winner.
The Knicks entered halftime leading 83-36—the largest halftime advantage in NBA playoff history, surpassing previous regular-season marks—and extended it to 61 points in a clinical performance. Every Knicks starter scored in double figures, shooting 58.8% from the field, highlighted by Anunoby's 29 points on 11-of-14 shooting (including four 3-pointers), Towns' 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, and Bridges' 24 points on 10-of-12 shooting. They led 40-15 after the first quarter and at one point embarked on a 41-4 run. Atlanta struggled offensively, shooting 37.8% from the field and just 9-of-35 from beyond the arc. The Knicks now advance to face the winner of the Boston Celtics-Philadelphia 76ers series, with Game 7 set for Saturday night in Boston. (Other first-round action: Timberwolves eliminated Nuggets 4-2 without Anthony Edwards; 76ers forced Game 7 vs. Celtics with 106-93 Game 6 win.)
