The Knicks secured their playoff series against the Hawks with a decisive 140-89 victory in Game 6 on Thursday night in Atlanta.
Hero
OG Anunoby truly stepped up in this crucial matchup, finishing the series on a high note. The 28-year-old showcased his skills as a dual-threat player, igniting the Knicks’ offense early on. He contributed 26 points and four steals in the first half and rounded off his performance with 29 points, seven rebounds, and two assists, achieving an impressive shooting percentage of 11 for 14 overall, including 4 of 6 from beyond the arc.
Zero
CJ McCollum had quite the contrasting experience. He wasn’t the villain everyone might think, but he certainly faltered in this decisive moment. Once a standout player in the series, the Hawks guard seemed to fade away when it counted the most. In a critical Game 6, he began the game without scoring in the first ten minutes, eventually finishing with just 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting, alongside two turnovers and no assists—hardly what was expected from him in his first season with Atlanta.
The Unsung Hero
Mikal Bridges made a notable return to form. Just a week prior, he faced criticism for being benched and went scoreless in Game 3. His previous performances were lackluster, with two games in single digits. However, in Game 6, he revitalized his game, scoring 24 points—almost matching his total from the prior four games combined—along with five rebounds, three assists, and one block.
Main Status
The final tally was 63-11—after the Hawks took a brief 11-9 lead early in the first quarter, the Knicks launched an impressive run that extended into the second quarter, ultimately achieving a staggering 50-point lead.
Quotation
“This shows what kind of team we are and what kind of team we can be. We knew we were down in two games, so we wanted to get a win today and close out the series.”
— Josh Hart
