Knicks 140, Hawks 89: New York Wins Series in Game 6

The New York Knicks beat the Atlanta Hawks 140-89 on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at State Farm Arena, closing out their first-round NBA playoff series in six games. OG Anunoby led all scorers with 29 points as New York took control early and never let the margin tighten.

Quarter-by-quarter breakdown

First quarter

New York set the tone immediately with a 40-15 opening quarter. The Knicks moved the ball cleanly, found quality looks in transition and in the half court, and kept Atlanta from establishing any rhythm. By the end of the period, the visitors already had a 25-point cushion.

Second quarter

The gap only grew in the second. New York outscored Atlanta 43-21 in the quarter and took an 83-36 lead into halftime. The Knicks continued to generate efficient offense across the lineup, while the Hawks struggled to convert from the field and from three-point range. At the break, the game was effectively under firm New York control.

Third quarter

Atlanta showed a little more offensive life after halftime, but the Knicks still won the third quarter 34-28. Any chance of a sustained comeback was limited by New York’s steady shot-making and rebounding edge. The lead reached 55 points entering the fourth.

Fourth quarter

The Hawks narrowly won the final period 25-23, but the outcome had long been settled. New York managed the closing minutes comfortably and finished off a complete road performance to secure the 140-89 victory and the 4-2 series win.

Key performers

OG Anunoby was the top scorer for New York with 29 points, adding 7 rebounds and 4 steals in an efficient, two-way performance. He gave the Knicks a reliable scoring presence from the opening quarter and remained productive as the lead expanded.

Karl-Anthony Towns anchored the overall effort with 11 rebounds and a game-high 10 assists, helping drive New York’s ball movement and control of the glass. The Knicks finished with 33 assists and 46 rebounds as a team, both strong indicators of how connected they were throughout the night.

For Atlanta, Jalen Johnson led the way with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. He was the Hawks’ leading contributor in points, rebounds, and assists, but New York’s defensive pressure and Atlanta’s inefficient shooting made it difficult for the home side to build anything consistent around him.

NerdSports Stat: New York led 83-36 at halftime, meaning the Knicks were plus-47 through two quarters alone and nearly matched Atlanta’s full-game total before the break.

Game analysis

This game was decided by New York’s efficiency and pace from the start. The Knicks shot 58.8% from the field, hit 13 three-pointers, and made 27 of 34 free throws. Atlanta finished at 37.8% overall and 25.7% from beyond the arc, a combination that left too much ground to make up.

The rebounding and passing numbers reinforced the difference in execution. New York held a 46-35 edge on the boards and assisted on 33 of its 50 made field goals. That kind of offensive balance consistently put Atlanta into rotations and opened the floor for multiple scorers.

The opening half was especially decisive. Scoring 83 points before intermission in a playoff road game is a rare standard, and it reflected how quickly the Knicks took control of both tempo and shot quality. Atlanta’s 15-point first quarter and 36-point first half left the Hawks chasing the game the rest of the night.

Defensively, New York also forced a difficult shot profile. The Hawks attempted 35 threes but made only nine, and even their trips to the line were not enough to change momentum. Once the Knicks built the early margin, they continued to outexecute Atlanta on nearly every possession type.

Closing context

With the win, the Knicks completed a 4-2 first-round series victory and advanced to the next round of the NBA playoffs. New York, which finished the regular season 53-29, now moves forward with momentum after a dominant Game 6 performance. Atlanta’s season ends at 46-36 after the Hawks were unable to extend the series on their home floor.

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