43-6 Run Decides It All! Knicks Demolish Atlanta to Reach East Semifinals, Set New Playoff Record

What was anticipated to be a closely contested playoff game transformed into a dominant display by the home team. Despite Atlanta jumping out to a 9-0 lead early on, the Knicks responded with an incredible 43-6 run, effectively deciding the outcome in the first quarter.

By halftime, the score stood at a staggering 83-36, as New York set a new NBA playoff record for the largest halftime lead. The previous record of a 41-point differential was held by Cleveland (2017) and Indiana (2025). At one point in the second quarter, the lead ballooned to an astonishing 51 points.

With 83 points scored in 24 minutes, the Knicks tied for the third-best offensive performance in playoff history, trailing only Oklahoma City (87 points in 2025) and Cleveland (86 points in 2017).

The atmosphere reached a boiling point near the end of the first half when a physical altercation broke out involving Dyson Daniels and Onyeka Okongwu of Atlanta, and Mitchell Robinson of the Knicks. The incident resulted in the ejection of Daniels and Robinson.

Ultimately, the 51-point defeat (140-89) marks the heaviest playoff loss in the Hawks franchise history. Their all-time negative NBA record remains a 58-point defeat.

The Knicks' absolute dominance was spearheaded by OG Anunoby, who delivered a career-best playoff performance. In just 27 minutes on the court, he scored 29 points, shooting an impressive 11/14 from the field. The majority of his points, 26 to be exact, came in the first half, making him instrumental in his team's historic lead.

Mikal Bridges provided excellent support with 24 points, while the team's star player, Jalen Brunson, contributed 17 points and 8 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns recorded his second triple-double of the series with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, demonstrating complete control in the paint.

For the defeated Atlanta side, Jalen Johnson was the only player who found his rhythm, scoring 21 points. The rest of the team was completely neutralized by the Knicks' aggressive defense. New York's starters had already finished their work by the end of the third quarter, after which bench players were given an opportunity. With this victory, the Knicks have secured their spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they will face the winner of the decisive game between Boston and Philadelphia.