The New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 140-89 on April 30, 2026, in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first-round series. This victory marks a historic moment for the Knicks as they achieved a 51-point win, the largest playoff win in franchise history.
The Knicks set a record for the largest halftime lead in NBA playoff history with a 47-point margin. They led by 83-36 at halftime, showcasing an impressive performance. The team shot 65.1 percent from the field during the first half, dominating the game from start to finish.
This win advances the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The franchise scored 140 points, setting a new playoff record. The victory margin of 51 points ties for the sixth-largest in NBA playoff history.
OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 29 points. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed significantly, recording a triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. The Knicks also matched their number of steals (12) to the total field goals made by the Hawks in the first half.
The Hawks faced their second-worst playoff loss, which is particularly disappointing given their previous playoff history. Head coach Quin Snyder expressed his disappointment after the game, stating, “Obviously, you hate to lose anything, and to lose the way we did… disappointed on a lot of levels.”
Knicks coach Mike Brown praised his team’s offensive performance, saying, “Just a really, really good night offensively.” Jalen Brunson echoed this sentiment, noting that it demonstrated what they are capable of defensively.
The previous record for largest halftime lead in NBA playoff history was 41 points. The Knicks will now face the winner of the Boston-Philly series in their next matchup.