Knicks secure Eastern Conference second-round berth with record-breaking playoff dominance

The New York Knicks have eliminated the Atlanta Hawks from the 2024 NBA playoffs following a decisive 140-89 victory in Game 6 of the first round. This result secures the Knicks' place in the Eastern Conference second round, concluding a series that saw the home side establish an unprecedented level of offensive control.

The match was defined by New York's historic offensive dominance, as they set an NBA playoff record with a 47-point halftime lead of 83-36. This margin represents the largest in NBA playoff history and marks the fastest any team has achieved a 40-point lead in the play-by-play era. The Hawks, who had previously led the series 2-1 after Game 3, suffered a 51-point defeat that ends their season.

New York responded to the Hawks' early momentum with a devastating run in the second quarter. The Knicks outscored Atlanta 53-0 over an 18-minute span, including a 41-4 run that saw them take a 41-point lead at the 7:12 mark of the second quarter. This rapid accumulation of points resulted in a first half described as a tsunami, with the game effectively over before the third quarter commenced.

OG Anunoby led the Knicks with a game-best 29 points, while every starter scored in double figures. The team shot a blistering 58.8 per cent from the field. In contrast, the Hawks struggled with efficiency, shooting just 37.8 per cent from the field and making only nine of their 35 three-point attempts. Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a triple-double for the Hawks, but the statistical disparity highlighted the gap in performance between the two sides.

Despite the blowout, the Hawks managed to outscore New York 25-23 in the fourth quarter. Jonathan Kuminga was a -44 in 22 minutes of action for the visitors. The Hawks had entered the series with momentum from back-to-back wins, including a Game 3 victory where they came through in crunch time, but the Knicks responded with three consecutive wins by a combined 96 points.

Karl-Anthony Towns noted that the Hawks had not played their best basketball during the series and viewed this performance as a statement of their potential consistency. He remarked that while it is understandable fans did not know what version of the team they would see, the goal is to maintain consistency in the playoffs. The Knicks' victory, however, leaves the Hawks with a tape of their best performance that will not be enough to salvage their campaign.