Knicks Dominate Celtics to Reach Eastern Conference Finals: A 25-Year Journey Ends in Victory
The New York Knicks have reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years, after a dominant 119-81 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of their playoff series. The Knicks' victory brings them to their first conference finals appearance since 2000, and they will now face off against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks' victory was a team effort, with six players finishing with double-digit points. OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson led the team with 23 points each, while Mikal Bridges put up 22 and Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 points and 12 rebounds. The Knicks outrebounded the Celtics 55-36, and their dominance was evident from the start of the game. The Celtics were already at a major disadvantage with leading scorer Jayson Tatum out with a torn Achilles, and the Knicks took full advantage of this. Though New York struggled with shooting at times, the Celtics struggled even more, with Jaylen Brown providing only 18 of Boston's 37 points after two quarters. By the end of the third quarter, the Knicks' lead had expanded to 35 points, and Brown fouled out partway through the quarter. Without Tatum or Brown on the court, Boston's quest for a title repeat was basically over. The Knicks took the first two games of the series after two straight comeback wins from 20-point deficits, an unprecedented feat. However, the Celtics took the next one before losing Tatum in Game 4. Boston then dominated the Knicks in Game 5 to bring the series to 3-2. But on Friday, the Knicks didn't stay down for long, and their dominant performance in Game 6 secured their spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite the Celtics putting up the white flag in the third quarter, starters Brunson, Anunoby, Towns, and Josh Hart all played 32 minutes or more—with Anunoby leading the way with 37. The Knicks' victory was a testament to their resilience and teamwork, and they will now look to continue their impressive run in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers.
