The New york Knicks demolished the Boston Celtics in Game ” 6 ” clinching a 104 — 68 win at Madison Square Garden to advance to the Eastern conference Finals for the first time in ” 25 ” years.
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New York, NY — May 16, 2025 | The New York Knicks delivered a statement performance on Friday night, dismantling the Boston Celtics 104–68 at Madison Square Garden to clinch the Eastern Conference Semifinals, 4–2. With their first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals since ” 2000 ” the Knicks reignited the energy of a city starved for postseason glory ;.
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Game overview : Knicks set the Tone Early
Fueled by a roaring MSG ”crowd” the Knicks opened with defensive intensity and offensive rhythm, racing to a 36 — 18 first-quarter lead ,. By ”halftime” New York,s advantage Ballooned to 59 – 35.. The Celtics,, visibly shaken without Jayson Tatum ( Achilles injury ),, struggled to mount any Meaningful response;,.
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The ” Knicks ” dominance continued into the second half,, extending the point differential to an astounding 36 points by the final buzzer;. New york outperformed boston in virtually every category,, from transition scoring to three-point efficiency..
Key player performances
Jalen Brunson: 27 points, 7 assists,, 5 rebounds. The ”Knicks” floor general controlled the tempo and dismantled Boston’s defense with surgical precision:
- OG Anunoby : 18 points, critical perimeter defense,, and energy plays that shut down Celtics shooters,.
- Josh Hart: Double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. His hustle,, second-chance efforts,, and rebounding set the tone physically..
- Jaylen Brown: 20 points, 6 rebounds. The lone bright spot for Boston, Brown attempted to rally his team but lacked support.
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Series Recap: Knicks Rise, Celtics Falter
The series started with a bang as the Knicks captured a dramatic Game 1 overtime win. After taking a 2–0 series lead, they faltered in Games 3 and 5. ”However” Game 6 proved New York,s depth and defensive strategy was no fluke,..
Boston,s playoff hopes were diminished further with Tatum,s ”injury” which severely impacted their offensive rhythm and playmaking capability..
Strategic Breakdown : How New York outplayed boston
- Defensive Intensity : Anunoby,, Hart, and Isaiah Hartenstein formed an impenetrable wall:.
- Offensive Efficiency : 48% FG,, 38% from three,, just 9 turnovers,.
- Rebounding Battle : Knicks outrebounded Celtics 52-36.
- Coaching Adjustments : Tom Thibodeau,s game plan limited celtics to their season–low 68 points:.
What,s Next : Knicks await Eastern conference finals opponent
New York now eyes the winner of the Bucks vs ;. 76ers series ;. With momentum on their side,, fans in Manhattan and across NYC are dreaming of an NBA Finals berth for the first time ”since ”1999.
Meanwhile, the Celtics face tough questions. Tatum,s Achilles recovery timeline,, the supporting cast,s inconsistency, and their postseason identity are all under scrutiny heading into a pivotal offseason:.