Knicks use 'desperate' mindset to make NBA Playoff history in Game 6: 'We wanted to come out and close out the series today'
The Knicks came out firing in Thursday's Game 6 win over the Hawks and broke a few playoff records along the way.
It was a historic night for the Knicks in more ways than one. New York took it to the Hawks in Game 6 of their first-round series on Thursday night, but the way they did it was unprecedented as the Knicks set multiple postseason records in their 140-89 win. The Knicks' 140 points are the most in a postseason game in franchise history, but the dominating performance goes beyond that.
New York built the largest halftime lead in NBA Playoff history (47) and then had the biggest lead in a playoff game in the play-by-play era (61). And the coaches and players of the Knicks would tell you, it happened on both ends of the floor. "We had to keep them off the glass and keep them off transition," coach Mike Brown said of the game.
"Our guys did a good job of that tonight. Eight fastbreak points, 11 offensive rebounds…14 second chance points. It’s a good night for the two key areas we’ve been talking about the whole series.
" "Most importantly, it shows us what we're capable of defensively," Jalen Brunson said of the performance. "I think that's really important. We still have a long road to travel and staying locked in, and knowing what we’re capable of is important.