Knicks Set Playoff Records in 140-89 Game 6 Win Over Hawks to Advance

The New York Knicks advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs with a 140-89 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6 on April 30, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The win clinched the first-round Eastern Conference series 4-2. The Knicks set records for the largest halftime lead at 47 points and the biggest lead after three quarters at 53 points in postseason history.

This marked the most points the Knicks have scored in a playoff game and their largest winning margin in the postseason. The only larger margin in franchise history was a 120-66 regular-season win over the Brooklyn Nets on January 21, 2026. For the Hawks, it was their second-worst postseason defeat, behind a 133-75 loss by the then-St.

Louis Hawks to the Minneapolis Lakers on March 19, 1956.

Anunoby scored 29 points on 11-for-14 shooting, including 4-for-6 from three-point range, with seven rebounds and four steals in 27 minutes. He scored 26 points in the first half and 10 of the Knicks' first 15 points. Mikal Bridges added 24 points on 10-for-12 shooting.

Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his second triple-double of the series, becoming the first Knick to achieve multiple triple-doubles in the same playoff series and the second in the same postseason, joining Walt Frazier.

Jalen Brunson contributed 17 points and eight assists, while Josh Hart had 14 points. The Knicks totaled 16 steals and six blocks.

“That’s something where it shows what we can do. And now we gotta continue to build off of it.”

The Knicks trailed early 9-5 but closed the first quarter on a 31-4 run to lead by 25 points. They started the second quarter with a 32-7 run, extending to a 63-11 run overall and a 61-point lead. Starters were pulled by the end of the third quarter.

A second-quarter altercation occurred when Dyson Daniels yanked Mitchell Robinson's arm during a free throw by OG Anunoby. Onyeka Okongwu intervened, leading to a fracas. Mitchell Robinson and Dyson Daniels received technical fouls and were ejected.

Hawks players Jalen Johnson and coach Quin Snyder also received technicals in the quarter. During the incident, Knicks coach Mike Brown fell while intervening, and referee Kevin Scott was knocked down. The Hawks offered little resistance after the early minutes.

The Knicks had trailed 2-1 in the series but outscored the Hawks by 96 points over the final three games. Before tipoff, Nickeil Alexander-Walker accepted the Most Improved Player award. Fans linked the performance to actress Anne Hathaway, who appeared on "The Tonight Show" on April 29, 2026, hosted by Jimmy Fallon.

Hathaway, promoting "The Devil Wears Prada 2" which features a cameo by Karl-Anthony Towns, mentioned considering an OG Anunoby jersey and wore Knicks colors. Social media posts attributed Anunoby's output to Hathaway's comments.

“I’ve always wanted that to happen." — Anne Hathaway, in a 2024 Instagram video thanking OG Anunoby after a near-collision at Madison Square Garden (nypost.com).”

The Knicks will face the winner of Game 7 between the Celtics and 76ers on May 2, 2026. Knicks coach Mike Brown noted the team's connectedness and versatility. Fans observed improved stats for Karl-Anthony Towns since the premiere of "The Devil Wears Prada 2" last week, including averages of 17.3 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game in the playoffs, with two triple-doubles.