Knicks Advance: Historic Blowout Ends Hawks' Season Amid MSG Fights
Madison Square Garden was a madhouse on Thursday night, but not for the reasons you might expect. The New York Knicks didn't just beat the Atlanta Hawks—they erased them. In a 140-89 shellacking, the Knicks closed out the series 4-2 to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The Blowout of the Century
By the time the halftime buzzer sounded, the Knicks were already up by 40 points (83-36). OG Anunoby was the engine of the blowout, scoring 29 points and anchoring a defense that held Atlanta to just 15 points in the first quarter.
The story of the night, however, was Karl-Anthony Towns. Facing his former team's rival, KAT delivered a historic triple-double with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. The 51-point margin of victory is one of the largest in NBA playoff history, signaling that this 2026 Knicks squad is a legitimate title contender.
Ejections: Mitchell Robinson vs. Dyson Daniels
The game took a dark turn in the second quarter during a routine free throw. Mitchell Robinson and Dyson Daniels got into a heated shoving match while boxing out. What started as typical playoff physicality quickly escalated into a full-blown scuffle that required teammates and security to intervene.
Both players were assessed Flagrant 2 fouls and summarily ejected. Robinson left the floor to a standing ovation from the MSG crowd, while Daniels was escorted out under a barrage of "New York" chants.
Shaq’s Halftime "Funeral"
The disrespect didn't stop on the court. During the Inside the NBA halftime show, Shaquille O'Neal took the blowout to a whole new level. Shaq appeared on screen wearing a black veil and holding a single red rose, declaring that he was "holding a funeral for the Atlanta Hawks' season."
"They're dead, Chuck," Shaq joked as the crew laughed. "You can't show up to the Garden and get beat by 50. It's over. RIP to the Hawks."
Key Stats & Prop Hits
- OG Anunoby Over 18.5 Points (HIT): OG blew past this line in the first half.
- Karl-Anthony Towns Triple-Double (HIT): A massive +1200 value play for Prop&Roll users.
- Knicks -6.5 Spread (HIT): This was never in doubt.
- Hawks Team Total Under 101.5 (HIT): Atlanta struggled to even reach 90 points.
What’s Next?
The Knicks move on to face the winner of the Celtics/Sixers series. With the way New York is clicking right now—and the depth they've shown even with Robinson's ejection—they will be the favorites in the next round.
Explore Second Round Projections on Prop&Roll →
Nathan’s Take: I've never seen anything like that halftime show. Shaq is a legend for that. But on the court, the Knicks are terrifying. OG Anunoby is playing the best basketball of his career, and KAT looks like a man reborn in New York. If Mitchell Robinson avoids a suspension for the fight, New York is going to be very hard to beat.
