The New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 140-89 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference opening round on May 1, 2026. This victory marked a historic moment for the franchise.
The Knicks led by as many as 61 points, the largest lead recorded in a playoff game during the play-by-play era. Their 51-point margin of victory ranks as the sixth-largest in NBA playoff history.
The Knicks’ offensive display was remarkable, scoring 140 points, which is the most in franchise playoff history. OG Anunoby contributed significantly, scoring 29 points in just 27 minutes.
This game followed a season where the Hawks underwent a midseason roster overhaul and achieved their first outright playoff berth since 2021. They won 46 games during the regular season but struggled against the experienced Knicks.
Key statistics:
- The Knicks’ halftime lead of 47 points set a record for the largest halftime margin in a playoff game.
- Jalen Johnson averaged 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists during the regular season.
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker was honored as the NBA’s Most Improved Player.
The Knicks are set to face either the Boston Celtics or Philadelphia 76ers in their next round of the playoffs. Coach Quin Snyder acknowledged the challenge posed by the Knicks, stating, “Give credit to the Knicks… they made it hard for us.”
In contrast, Nickeil Alexander-Walker expressed disappointment, saying, “Disgusting. The way we lost was… at no point in time at all this season were we that bad.” Jalen Johnson reflected on this experience as an opportunity for growth.
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