In a historic night at Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks secured their place in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years, dismantling the reigning NBA champions, the Boston Celtics, with a dominant 119-81 victory in Game 6 on Friday night, May 16 (US time). This remarkable win not only ended Boston’s hopes of defending their title but also marked the Knicks’ return to the NBA’s elite final four since the year 2000.
Knicks Make a Statement, Celtics’ Era Ends Abruptly
Despite missing their All-Star forward Jayson Tatum due to an Achilles tendon injury suffered in Game 4, the Celtics entered Game 6 with confidence, believing they still had enough firepower and experience to push the series to a decisive Game 7. However, the Knicks crushed those hopes early, asserting control from the opening tip and never letting up.
By the 1:49 mark in the third quarter, the game was effectively over as Knicks had surged to an overwhelming 41-point lead. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged the inevitability of the result by pulling his starters, signaling Boston’s concession of both the game and their championship reign.
“I thought from the opening whistle to the final buzzer, our team played phenomenal basketball,” said an elated Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau during the post-game press conference. “The Celtics are an incredibly disciplined and talented team on both ends of the floor. They stick to their identity no matter the situation, and they force you to compete at the highest level. Tonight, I feel we rose to that challenge.” He added to sbotop link.
However, Thibodeau emphasized the importance of staying grounded despite the monumental win. “It’s a huge victory for us and obviously an important step, but we cannot lose sight of the bigger goal. Indiana is a tough, battle-tested opponent, and our focus has to shift immediately toward preparing for that series.”
Balanced Scoring and Dominant Defense Lead Knicks to Victory
The Knicks delivered one of the most comprehensive playoff performances in franchise history, with contributions coming from all corners of the roster. Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby each poured in 23 points, while Mikal Bridges added 22 points. Karl-Anthony Towns also played a pivotal role, contributing 21 points in what was a balanced offensive display.
The 38-point margin of victory stands as the largest postseason win in Knicks’ playoff history, showcasing both their offensive potency and stifling defense that left the Celtics searching for answers throughout the game.
For Boston, Jaylen Brown tried to shoulder the offensive burden in Tatum’s absence, scoring 20 points before fouling out with 2:50 remaining in the third quarter. According to Elias Sports Bureau, this was the second-earliest foul out in an NBA playoff game since the league began detailed play-by-play tracking in 1997-98.
Celtics Reflect on a Season of Transition and Missed Opportunities
Following the defeat, Celtics guard Derrick White reflected on the team’s season, acknowledging that the composition of the squad had changed from the championship-winning side of last year.
“We’re not the same team as last year, and every season brings a new group and new challenges,” White admitted. “At the start of the year, we set our sights on defending our title, but ultimately, we came up short of that goal.”
Despite the abrupt end to their season, the Celtics’ core remains intact, giving them a chance to regroup and aim for another title run next year.
Knicks to Rekindle Rivalry With Pacers in Eastern Conference Finals
The Knicks will now face the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals—a matchup steeped in playoff history. This marks the fourth time these two storied franchises will clash at this stage, following memorable encounters in 1994, 1999, and 2000. Game 1 is set for Wednesday night (US time) at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks will look to capitalize on home-court advantage and continue their quest for an elusive NBA title.
This resurgence under Tom Thibodeau has reinvigorated the Knicks’ fanbase, with dreams of NBA glory once again within reach. For a franchise and city that has endured years of frustration, the 2025 postseason is shaping up to be a defining chapter in New York Knicks’ proud basketball legacy.
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