After years of irrelevance and dysfunction, the New York Knicks finally have their chance for success, and it’s at a time that nobody saw coming. They were underdogs to start the series against the reigning, defending NBA champions (Boston Celtics), but with their win in Game 6 tonight, the Knicks have officially booked their spot in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years.
Four starters scored in double figures for New York, including Jalen Brunson (23 points), Mikal Bridges (22 points), OG Anunoby (23 points), and Karl-Anthony Towns (21 points). They held the Celtics to 81 points on just 36.0% shooting and kept Jaylen Brown to just 20 points on 40.0% shooting.
As the Knicks cruised their way through the second half, Madison Square Garden was buzzing with emotion from fans ready to burst into celebration. Not only did New York advance to the Conference Finals, but they also completely dominated the Celtics with their largest playoff win to date (119-81, 38 points).
“I can’t believe what I’m seeing,” wrote one fan in shock. “The Knicks are headed to the Eastern Conference Finals.”
Overall, fans were still in shock seeing the Knicks dominant in such a fashion, but most can agree that they proved something in the series. No longer are they the laughing stock of the league, and now they could be one of the last teams remaining in the NBA playoffs.
“If you’re not a Knicks fan, you just don’t get it man. We all go through so much in our personal lives,” wrote one Knicks fan in an emotional post. “The Knicks playing like this gives us a sense of peace & happiness, an escape from everything. This victory, getting to the ECF means so much to us all as a whole.”
The feeling was pure joy in Madison Square Garden tonight, and the internet was absolutely flooded with images of happy Knicks fans all over the world. While the Celtics did have some injuries that held them back, the Knicks deserve credit for pulling off two amazing comebacks early in the series and then closing it out with a blowout in Game 6.
“Congrats to the Knicks. Terrific series,” wrote Keith Smith. “Took control with the two comebacks and ran Boston off the floor tonight. Looking forward to seeing Knicks-Pacers. Should be a fun series.”
Looking ahead, it’s going to be a dogfight in the Eastern Conference Finals. Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers are already waiting, and they are ready to give the Knicks their toughest challenge yet.
“Pacers Knicks is gonna be a war,” wrote a fan on X. “A true 50/50 series with some great long-term and short-term history. Indy’s pace is jumping out to me, but the Knicks are in a groove, man.”
The New York Knicks may not have an A-tier superstar like Nikola Jokic or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but they have depth and versatility at every position with established All-Stars like Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson, and Mikal Bridges.
Most importantly, head coach Tom Thibodeau has the guys playing the right brand of basketball that aims to get everyone involved and locked in on both ends of the floor. Even after winning 52 regular-season games, nobody expected the Knicks to beat the Celtics, but they actually pulled off the upset and are now on track for one of their best seasons in franchise history.
