Jalen Brunson, Knicks Clinch Series After Historic Halftime Lead vs. Hawks, NBA Fans React to Game 6
The New York Knicks are headed to the Eastern Conference semifinals after crushing the host Atlanta Hawks 140-89 in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday evening.
It is just three points shy of the largest halftime lead in NBA history (50 points, set by the 2020-21 Dallas Mavericks when they outscored the Los Angeles Clippers 77-27 in Dec. 2020).
Knicks forward OG Anunoby scored 26 first half points en route to a game-high 29 (alongside seven rebounds and four steals). In fact, he was out-scoring the Hawks by himself 24-22 with four-and-a-half minutes left in the second quarter (New York was up 72-22 at the time).
The Knicks were down 9-5 in the first quarter but went on a 35-6 run to close the frame. They kept their foot on the gas for the rest of the first half, shooting 65 percent from the field (compared to 31 percent for Atlanta). The Hawks also committed 14 turnovers by half en route to 19 for the game.
The Knicks even led by 61 points (99-38) with 9:06 left the third quarter after Josh Hart's three-pointer.
All five Knicks starters scored in double digits: Anunoby, Mikal Bridges (24), Jalen Brunson (17), Josh Hart (14) and Karl-Anthony Towns, who finished with a 12-point, 11-rebound, 10-assist triple-double with three steals.
All 15 Knicks players saw court time, and all of them scored.
Needless to say, this was an unbelievable performance from the Knicks, who were once down two games to one in the series after back-to-back one-point losses. However, they responded by outscoring the Hawks by 96 points over three straight wins: 114-98, 126-97 and now 140-89.
Fans (including actor and Knicks superfan Ben Stiller) and analysts were understandably impressed, especially with one of the best halves of basketball you'll ever see a team play.
The Knicks have now made the second round four straight seasons. They await the winner of the Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers first round matchup.
