Knicks Shock World: Overthrow Celtics in Game 6, Win First Eastern Conference Finals in 25 Years

The volume in the building kept increasing. The noise became deafening.

The Knicks were headed to the Eastern Conference finals and everyone inside Madison Square Garden knew it.

“Knicks in six!” the orange and blue faithful chanted several times throughout this unexpected blowout. “Knicks in six!”

As the lead kept expanding, all the way up to 41 points, Knicks fans got louder. It was earsplitting when Jaylen Brown fouled out with 2:50 remaining in the third quarter. Somehow the roar became even more thunderous when Josh Hart beat multiple Celtics to an offensive rebound near the 3-point line and found OG Anunoby for a 3-pointer.

The Knicks didn’t just advance Friday night.

They didn’t just clinch a playoff series at MSG for the first time since 1999.

Jalen Brunson reacts after hitting a 3-pointer during the second quarter of the Knicks’ 118-91 series-clinching blowout win over the Celtics in Game 6 on May 16, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
They did so emphatically, with the kind of performance that, if sustained, can lead to a parade up the Canyon of Heroes.

They sent the defending champions home with their tails between their legs with this 119-81 bludgeoning that moved the Knicks to within four wins of the NBA Finals.

“In the last series, we showed we’re able to finish games in the fourth quarter and even in close games, we’ll find a way to win,” Karl-Anthony Towns said after the most lopsided playoff victory in Knicks history. “But this series was different, because we had ourselves in deficits that were 20-plus, and we still found a way to win. That’s a testament to these guys.”

This was a Knicks fan’s fever dream, ending the season of the hated Celtics with a beatdown of epic proportions. It all went their way. It was so lopsided, even Tom Thibodeau began to empty his bench with 5:02 remaining, to the relief of all Knicks fans. Jayson Tatum, the injured Celtics superstar, wouldn’t have made a difference.

“Losing to the Knicks feels like death, but I was always taught that there’s life after death, so we’ll get ready for whatever’s next,” said Brown, the leading Celtics scorer with 20 points on as many shots.

Up next for the Knicks is a familiar foe: The Pacers, who ended their season a year ago. Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals is Wednesday night at the Garden.

Karl-Anthony Towns is greeted by actor Timothee Chalamet during the fourth quarter of the Knicks’ Game 6 series-clinching win over the Celtics. Jason Szenes / New York Post
Mikal Bridges and Towns, the key offseason additions who struggled so mightily back in that season-opening loss to the Celtics in Boston, were dynamic in combining for 43 points.

Anunoby (23 points) found his shooting touch as the Knicks improved to 6-0 when he scores 20 or more. Jalen Brunson (23 points, six assists) was efficient.

Hart produced the first playoff triple-double for the Knicks since Walt Frazier in 1972, tallying 10 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.

Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson celebrate during the Knicks’ Game 6 blowout win. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
All postseason, the Knicks have shown the ability to be at their best when facing adversity.

They trailed in the fourth quarter of their first seven playoff wins. They rallied from 20 down in the first two games of this series, two victories that set the table for this massive upset.

This was similar. Two nights earlier, the Knicks were hammered in Boston by 25 points. They didn’t want to go back to TD Garden.

Jalen Brunson takes a shot during the Knicks’ Game 6 win over the Celtics. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

There was immense pressure to get it done at home on Friday. With Tatum out, the Knicks were supposed to advance.

“It was time,” Miles McBride said. “It was time for us to play with the lead and play tough with the lead, and be the more physical team and outlast them.”

Late in the first quarter it became apparent how different this night would be compared to Game 5’s Celtics rout.

Jalen Brunson drives down court as Jaylen Brown gives chase during the Knicks’ Game 6 win over the Celtics. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
That’s when, tied at 16, the Knicks reeled off 17 of the next 21 points to take a 13-point lead, their first double-digit advantage in the first half of the series.

At that point, Brunson had scored just two points and it didn’t matter.

Towns and Bridges had gotten going, combining for 21 first-quarter points.

Karl-Anthony Towns puts up a shot during the Knicks’ Game 6 win. Jason Szenes / New York Post
A few possessions later, Brunson reentered the game, and scored on a reverse layup. Anunoby hit two free throws. It was now an 18-point game.

Then came the play of the half. On a missed Hart free throw, the Knicks threw the ball away. Derrick White went the other way and attacked the rim.

Out of nowhere, McBride swatted his layup attempt off the glass and Hart scored on a baby jumper in the lane while being fouled. The Garden exploded.

Payton Pritchard gives a frustrated reaction during the Knicks’ Game 6 series-clinching win. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
With the accompanying free throw, the Knicks were up 20, on their way to a monstrous 27-point edge at the break.

The second half was a celebration, a coronation of this seismic series victory. But after it was over, there was a very subdued reaction on the court by Knick players and coaches. They are only halfway to glory.

“The goal is always to win a championship,” Thibodeau said. “We’ve got eight wins. We need 16.”