It Happened

Knicks fans, you deserve this. You earned this. Soak it up.

Final Score: Knicks 119 - Celtics 81
Series: 4-2

Knicks fans had endured enough heartache and despair over the previous two decades. They had been through enough agony and angst to last a lifetime. So, Brunson and the Boys decided they'd provide a stress-free night of revelry by turning Game 6 at the Garden into a two-hour celebration.

In his magnum opus "Hamilton," Lin-Manuel Miranda writes:

"I may not live to see our glory (I may not live to see our glory)
But I will gladly join the fight (but I will gladly join the fight)
And when our children tell our story (and when our children tell our story)
They'll tell the story of tonight."

No matter what happens from here on in (and make no mistake, the job is NOT done; there is still plenty of poetry remaining in the Knicks' pen), New York's demolition of Boston Friday night at MSG will forever hold a special place in the hearts of fans. As Miranda eloquently explains, it's "Something they can never take away."

It wasn't just that the Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time this century, or closed out a series at MSG for the first time in 26 years. It was how they arrived there.

There's something uniquely special and euphoric about a blowout victory at home in a crucial, make-or-break game. Buzzer-beaters are incredible, of course, but the stress and strain of sitting on the edge of your seat for hours on end is beyond taxing.

Even in victory, the conclusion of a nerve-racking playoff game often elicits more relief than unadulterated jubilation. Exhales instead of exuberance.

But a pillar-to-post beatdown over a hated fanbase, that's as good as it gets—all the drunken delirium without the downside of a hangover.

That's what Knicks fans got to experience last night.

New York got off to a solid start, with Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges scoring in double-digits in the first quarter. The second frame is when the Knicks pulled away, as Boston shot just 6-of-19 from the floor and missed nine of their ten three-point attempts. Meanwhile, the Knicks' offense kicked into high gear. Deuce McBride drilled a pair of treys, and Jalen Brunson sliced and diced the Boston defense.

By the time the first half ended, the Garden was delirious. New York was up 64-37.

Remarkably, it was the first time the Knicks had led by 27+ points at halftime of a playoff game since…. Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals vs. the Lakers -- the night New York won the first championship in franchise history.

If the Celtics had any chance of making this a contest, they needed to get off to a great start in the quarter. However, OG Anunoby dashed those dreams immediately, scoring five points before most fans were back in their seats. When Jaylen Brown picked up his sixth and final foul trying to defend Brunson, that was all she wrote.

The rest of the way was a joy ride. Decue McBride's block. Josh Hart is hustling for loose balls and offensive rebounds, up by 40. Singing, dancing, and hugging in the aisles, which spilled out onto Seventh Avenue after the final buzzer sounded.

"They'll tell the story of tonight."

The Knicks' 38-point margin of victory is the largest in a playoff game in franchise history (previous record was 36 in a win over the Bucks in 1970).

I've seen some bitter people claim Knicks fans should pipe down; it's only a semi-final series victory. To those folks, I say, as disrespectfully as possible, f*ck that. Those spiteful souls never spent months convincing themselves that trading for Andrea Bargnani was a shrewd move. Or that Jerome James was capable of carrying over his payoff success and serving as a solid starting center. And that losing out on Steph Curry was a bummer, but Jordan Hill also had a chance to be a superstar. That Maciej Lampe was undoubtedly the steal of the 2003 draft.

Knicks fans, you deserve this. You earned this. Soak it up.

8 down.

8 to go.

Other Takeaways and Knicks Notes:

🏀 Brunson finished Friday's win with 23 points (8-of-14 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), six rebounds, six assists and three three-pointers in 35 minutes.

It was the 36th playoff game Brunson has appeared in as a member of the Knicks. He has scored at least 15 points in all 36 contests, the longest such streak in franchise history.

The Captain has also dished out at least five dimes in 25 straight postseason games. The only players in NBA history with a streak of 20+ consecutive games with 15+ points and 5+ assists in the playoffs are Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson and LeBron James.

🏀 In the 20 years before Jalen Brunson signed with the Knicks, New York won a total of eight playoff games (only the Hornets won fewer).

In the three years since Jalen Brunson signed with the Knicks, New York has won 20 playoff games (3rd most in the NBA).

Brunson is among the most impactful free-agent signings in the history of the NBA and New York sports.

Think about all the stars unwilling to accept the challenge of playing in New York.

Too much pressure. No proven track record of success. "The cool thing is not the Knicks."

Now think about those folks watching the celebration inside MSG and on 7th Ave last night.

🏀 After a dud in Game 5, OG Anunoby bounced back in a big way Friday night, tallying 23 points (7-of-18 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs), nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks and four three-pointers.

OG remains a bellwether for the Knicks. Since being traded to New York, the Knicks have never lost a playoff game in which OG Anunoby attempts 14 or more FGs. They are now 10-0

🏀 KAT was aggressive right from the opening tip, and it was beautiful to watch. He attacked the basket and cleaned the glass, as he did all series, finishing with 21 points and 12 rebounds.

Despite making only three 3PTs over six games vs. Boston, KAT found ways to impact each contest, averaging just shy of 20 points and 13 boards.

Towns is the first Knick since Patrick Ewing in 1994 to average more than 19 points and more than 11 boards over the first 12 games of a playoff run.

🏀 Mikal Bridges chipped in 22 points (9-of-15 FGs), four rebounds, three assists, one steal, two blocks and four three-pointers in 30 minutes. And, as expected, he was a demon defensively. No Celtics made more than one FG when defended by Bridges in Game 6.

🏀 Last night was the third time this postseason that Brunson, OG, Bridges and KAT each scored at least 20 points in the same game.

It's the first time in NBA history that four teammates have produced three such games in a single playoff run.

As of last month, New York only had two such games in their entire franchise history.

🏀 Josh Hart did Josh Hart things, racking up 10 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. He is the first Knick to record a triple-double in a playoff game since Walt Frazier in April of 1972.

There is something beautifully poetic about Hart posting a trip-dub with a black eye and bloody stitches in a series-clinching victory over the Celtics at MSG.

🏀 Miles McBride reached double figures for the second straight game. Deuce snapping out of his shooting slump is crucial for New York, as they'll need him vs. Indiana.

Mitchell Robinson (4 boards and a FT) didn't make much of an impact in the box score in Game 6, but his influence in this series was undeniable.

Over the six games vs. Boston, the Knicks outscored the Celtics by 46 points in the 124 minutes Mitch Rob was on the floor.

In the 169 minutes he was on the bench, the Celtics outscored the Knicks by 43 points.

🏀 The Knicks launched 45 three-pointers last night, setting a franchise record for most 3PT attempts in a playoff game.

They came in focused. Switched successfully on defense. Good Thibodeau game. Credit and props to Thibs for advancing to the ECF for the first time since his first season as a head coach in Chicago in 2011.

🏀 Next Up:
Knicks host the Pacers for Game 1 of the ECF on Wednesday night (8:00 pm)

FWIW, Vegas has installed New York as a slight favorite in the series. Per BetOnline, the Knicks are -155. Those odds give the Knicks a 60.8% likelihood of beating the Pacers.

I'll be back early next week with a full preview.

Until then, enjoy the weekend!!!!