Knicks rout Hawks in Game 6 to advance in NBA playoffs: Highlights

The 2026 NBA postseason is heating up as the first round reaches its elimination games.

With an emphatic 140-89 win over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6, the New York Knicks joined the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the playoffs. The Knicks made some NBA history in the process on Thursday night, administering one of the biggest playoff blowouts in league history.

OG Anunoby led the Knicks in scoring with 29 points. Mikal Bridges added 24 in a game that featured nearly a quarter and a half of garbage time due to the lopsided score.

USA TODAY Sports provided updates and highlights of Game 6 between the Knicks and Hawks:

Knicks vs. Hawks Game 6 highlights

Final: Knicks 140, Hawks 89

The New York Knicks clinched their first-round NBA playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks in astounding fashion.

The Knicks humiliated the Hawks, 140-89, in Game 6, leading by as many as 61 points at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

New York, which clinched the best-of-seven series 4-2, will play the winner of the series between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. Unless they can petition the league to play Atlanta indefinitely following the historic blowout.

The Knicks led by 47 at halftime, the largest halftime lead in NBA playoff history, according to ESPN.

The Knicks shot 58 percent from the field. all five starters scored in double figures and center Karl-Anthony Towns had a triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. And with the Knicks applying defensive pressure, the Hawks committed 19 turnovers and shot just 38 percent from the field.

Knicks vs. Hawks statistical leaders

Knicks

Points: OG Anunoby, 29

Rebounds: Karl-Anthony Towns, 11

Assists: Karl-Anthony Towns, 10

Steals: OG Anunoby, 4

Blocks: Mitchell Robinson, 2

Hawks

Points: Jalen Johnson, 21

Rebounds: Jalen Johnson, 8

Assists: Jalen Johnson, 6

Steals: Onyeka Okongwu, Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Gabe Vincent, Keaton Wallace, 1

Blocks: Onyeka Okongwu, Jalen Johnson, Jonathan Kuminga, Tony Bradley, 1

Garbage time with humor

Why suffer through garbage time (i.e. the fourth quarter) without help from jokes4us.com? Here you go:

What's the difference between the Atlanta Hawks and a dollar bill? You can still get four quarters out of a dollar bill.

What do you call an Atlanta Hawks player with a championship ring? A thief.

What do the Atlanta Hawks and possums have in common? Both play dead at home and get killed on the road!

End 3Q: Knicks 117, Hawks 64

After falling behind by 61 points, the Hawks closed out the quarter with a 26-18 run.

Just saying.

Lisa Salters is interviewing Knicks great Clyde Frazier as the fourth quarter gets underway. Wonder if Mr. Frazier be interested in playing for a few minutes here.

Knicks vs. Hawks game leading scorers

Knicks: OB Anunoby, 29

Hawks: Jalen Johnson, 19

KAT's got the stats

With less than three minutes left in the third quarter, Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns has a triple-double -- 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.

The beginning of NBA history?

The Hawks cut that 61-point deficit to 53 points on a 12-4 run, and could the historic comeback be underway? Uh, probably not. But Knicks coach Mike Brown to called a timeout anyway with 6:34 left in the third quarter. Guess you might as well use the timeouts if you got 'em.

Halftime speech

Whatever Hawks coach Quin Snyder told his players at halftime, it's unlikely to go down as one of the most impactful halftime speeches in NBA history.

The Knicks opened the second half with a 16-2 run. And extended their lead to 61 points.

Halftime: Knicks 83, Hawks 36

The Atlanta Hawks are in position to pull off one of the most astounding comeback in NBA playoff history.

After playing arguably the most atrocious first half in NBA playoff history.

The Hawks trailed by as many as 51 points and ESPN reported the 47-point halftime deficit was the largest in NBA playoff history.

But it was more than a case of futility. The Knicks played with intensity and skill on defense and offense. They shot 65 percent from the field and their defense helped force Atlanta into 14 turnovers.

Knicks vs. Hawks halftime leaders

Knicks

Points: OB Anunoby, 26

Rebounds: OB Anunoby, 7

Assists: Jalen Brunson, 7

Steals: OB Anunoby, 4

Blocks: Mitchell Robinson, 2

Hawks

Points: Jalen Johnson, 11

Rebounds: Onyeka Okongwu, 5

Assists: Onyeka Okongwu, 3

Steals: Onyeka Okongwu, Dyson Daniels, Gabe Vincent, 1

Blocks: Onyeka Okongwu, Jalen Johnson, Jonathan Kuminga, 1

Tempers flare, players ejected

Hawks guard Dyson Daniels and Knicks center Mitchell Robinson were assessed offsetting technicals and ejected from the game with 4:39 left in the first game. The two got tangled up during a free throw attempt and the 7-foot Robinson had the 6-7 Daniels wrapped up before they were parted, and not without an falling onto the court. Robinson appeared to throw an elbow at Dyson and had his arms wrapped around the Hawk, but the officials saw fit to eject both players.

The beatdown continues

The Knicks went up by 47 points -- FORTY SEVEN POINTS! -- when Mikal Bridges scored on a dunk with 5:26 left in the half.

Mitchell Robinson hobbles off but returns later

Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks' backup center, hobbled off the court with about a minute left in the first quarter. He appeared to suffer an injury to his right ankle after scoring on a putback. He had four points, two rebounds and a block in four minutes of play before leaving the game.

Robinson has returned to action in the second quarter. And he scored on an alley-oop dunk Guess that ankle's doing OK.

End 1Q: Knicks 40, Hawks 15

Are these the real Hawks, or imposters? These certainly are the real Knicks, and they're burying their opponents. The Knicks are playing fast and shooting lights out — 69 percent from the field. After falling behind 9-5, New York sprinted head during a 35-6 run. The Hawks committed nine turnovers and shot 38 percent from the field.

Knicks vs. Hawks game leading scorers

Knicks: OG Anunoby, 17

Hawks: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 5

Knicks seizing control

New York sped up the pace, taking a 27-13 lead on the strength of an 18-2 run. The Knicks are shooting 69 percent from the field and OG Anunoby has 10 points, Jalen Brunson has seven points and Mikal Bridges has chipped in six points. The Hawks are shooting 45 percent from the floor and no Hawk having scored more than five points.

Game starts, whiplash ensues

The Knicks jumped out to a 5-0 lead and the Hawks responded with a 9-0 run. The seesawing continued when the Knicks went on a 9-2 run and OG Anunoby's 3-pointer putting the Knicks up 15-11. That prompting the Hawks to take a timeout with 6:55 left in the first quarter -- and time for the dizzyness to cease.

Knicks guard Josh Hart to play, per reports

Knicks guard Josh Hart will play tonight, according to multiple reports citing Knicks head coach Mike Brown. The Athletic reported that Hart's back locked up during Game 5 before he was forced to leave the court late in the fourth quarter. His status for Game 6 was questionable earlier in the day.

Hart has averaged 9.4 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists during five playoff games against the Hawks.

Knicks vs. Hawks starting lineups

New York Knicks starting lineup

• Guard: Jalen Brunson
• Guard: Josh Hart
• Forward: Mikal Bridges
• Forward: OG Anunoby
• Center: Karl-Anthony Towns

Atlanta Hawks starting lineup

• Guard: CJ McCollum
• Guard: Nickeil Alexander-Walker
• Forward: Dyson Daniels
• Forward: Jalen Johnson
• Center: Onyeka Okongwu

What time is New York Knicks vs Atlanta Hawks Game 6?

Tip off between the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 30.

How to watch New York Knicks vs Atlanta Hawks on Thursday

• Matchup: New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks
• Date: Thursday, April 30
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• Venue: State Farm Arena
• Location: Atlanta
• TV:ESPN
• Streaming:Fubo

NBA scores and results

See scores, results for all of today's games. .

See NBA scores, results from April 29

Knicks vs. Hawks odds and prediction

Odds via BetMGM as of Thursday, April 30 at 6:17 p.m. ET

• Spread: Knicks (-2.5)
• Moneyline: Knicks (-150); Hawks (+125)
• Over/Under: 213.5

Payton Shanks of Sportsbook Wire: Knicks 118, Hawks 115

The Knicks have looked like the team we have been waiting for them to look like in these last two games, and it's clear they are the better team. Look for the Knicks to come out hot behind Brunson's scoring, and look for the playmaking of center Karl-Anthony Towns to be a major factor here as well.

The latest NBA odds can be found below from the best sports betting apps . Some odds may include games scheduled on future dates.