The New York Knicks delivered a statement performance on Friday night, dismantling the Boston Celtics 119-81 to book their first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2000, MySportDab Reports.
The resounding Game 6 win at Madison Square Garden sealed a 4-2 series victory, eliminating the defending NBA champions in ruthless fashion.
Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby led the way with 23 points each, while Mikal Bridges added 22 points, including four three-pointers.
Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in 21, and Josh Hart notched a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists as the Knicks overwhelmed Boston on both ends of the floor.
“It means a lot to this organization and this city,” said Brunson, referencing his father Rick Brunson’s role on the 2000 Knicks team. “We responded tonight. Defense, offense — it all came together.”
The Knicks will now face long-time rivals the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, brimming with confidence after dominating a Celtics side that was without injured star Jayson Tatum.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau praised his team’s complete performance. “You have to earn it against Boston, and I felt we did that,” he said. “But we know Indiana is a terrific team, and we’ll have to be ready.”
The Knicks outscored the Celtics 38-17 in a crushing second quarter, taking a 64-37 halftime lead and never looking back. New York’s lead ballooned to 41 points in the third quarter as they cruised to victory in front of a star-studded crowd.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 20 points, while Derrick White, the hero of Game 5, was limited to just eight. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged the Knicks’ dominance, saying, “You have to take your hat off to them. They played a great series.”
