Knicks demolish Hawks by 51 points, seize largest halftime lead in NBA playoff history

Key facts

• New York Knicks 140, Atlanta Hawks 89 (Knicks win series 4-2)
• Knicks built a 67-13 run to secure the largest halftime lead in NBA playoff history
• Minnesota Timberwolves 110, Denver Nuggets 98 (Timberwolves win series 4-2)
• Philadelphia 76ers 106, Boston Celtics 93 (series tied 3-3)
• 2026 NBA Finals start June 3 with Game 1 on ABC at 8:30 p.m. ET
• Defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder secured the West's No. 1 seed
• Detroit Pistons claimed the East's top seed after a historic resurgence

A record-setting blowout in New York

The New York Knicks are one step closer to redemption from last spring's Eastern Conference Final loss after dismantling the Atlanta Hawks 140-89 on Thursday night to win the first-round series 4-2. The 51-point margin of victory was never in doubt after the Knicks seized an early advantage and then unleashed a 67-13 run that produced the largest halftime lead in NBA playoff history. New York's offensive explosion and suffocating defense left the Hawks unable to respond. The Knicks now advance to the second round, where they will await the winner of the Philadelphia 76ers-Boston Celtics series, currently tied 3-3 after Philadelphia's 106-93 Game 6 win.

Timberwolves close out Nuggets in Game 6

The Minnesota Timberwolves also closed out their first-round series Thursday, defeating the Denver Nuggets 110-98 to advance with a 4-2 series victory. Minnesota's balanced attack and defensive tenacity proved too much for the reigning Western Conference champions, who were eliminated from the postseason. The Timberwolves will face the winner of the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets series, where the Lakers hold a 3-2 lead heading into Game 6 on Saturday. The Western Conference bracket remains wide open, with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder holding the No. 1 seed after a dominant regular season.

Other series updates and the road ahead

Elsewhere in the first round, the Detroit Pistons, who completed a historic resurgence to claim the East's top seed, lead the Orlando Magic 3-2 with Game 6 in Orlando on Friday. The Cleveland Cavaliers hold a 3-2 advantage over the Toronto Raptors, with Game 6 set for Toronto. The Los Angeles Lakers lead the Houston Rockets 3-2, with Game 6 in Houston. The 2026 NBA Finals are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 3, with Game 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The full schedule for the conference semifinals and finals will be released after the conclusion of the first round and second round, respectively.

Broadcast and streaming landscape

NBA playoff action is broadcast across ABC, ESPN, NBC, and Prime Video, with the NBA Finals remaining exclusive to ABC. Fans can stream games via the ESPN app, Peacock, Prime Video, and DIRECTV Stream, which carries all games airing on ABC, ESPN, and NBC. The wide array of viewing options ensures that fans can follow every postseason game as the field narrows from 16 teams to one champion. The quest for the Larry O'Brien Trophy continues with high stakes and no margin for error.

Historical context and stakes

The Knicks' record-setting performance underscores their determination to avenge last year's Eastern Conference Final defeat. New York's blowout victory not only sends a message to the rest of the conference but also highlights the team's ability to dominate on both ends of the floor when clicking. For the Hawks, the loss marks the end of a season that fell short of expectations. The team now faces an offseason of evaluation, with trade targets already being discussed. The Nuggets, meanwhile, must regroup after an early exit, raising questions about their ability to reclaim championship form.

What comes next

The second round is set to begin as soon as all first-round series conclude. The Knicks and Timberwolves have already punched their tickets, while several other series remain unresolved. The 76ers and Celtics will play a decisive Game 7, with the winner facing New York. In the West, the Timberwolves await the Lakers-Rockets winner, while the Thunder and Spurs, who secured the West's No. 2 seed, are idle until the second round. The defending champion Thunder will look to navigate a rugged Western Conference bracket to reach the Finals.

A championship pursuit takes shape

As the playoffs progress, the narratives of redemption, resurgence, and dominance are coming into focus. The Knicks' historic win, the Timberwolves' gritty series victory, and the defending champion Thunder's looming presence set the stage for a compelling postseason. The margin for error has vanished. Every game carries immense weight, and the path to the Larry O'Brien Trophy runs through a gauntlet of elite competition. The 2026 NBA playoffs are delivering the drama and excellence that define the sport at its highest level.

The bottom line

• The Knicks' 51-point win and record halftime lead signal a formidable second-round contender.
• The Timberwolves eliminated the Nuggets in six games, advancing to face the Lakers-Rockets winner.
• The 76ers and Celtics will play a Game 7 to determine who meets the Knicks in the East semifinals.
• The defending champion Thunder hold the West's No. 1 seed and await their second-round opponent.
• The NBA Finals begin June 3 on ABC, with the full playoff schedule to be announced as rounds conclude.
• The Pistons, Cavaliers, and Lakers each hold 3-2 series leads and can close out their series in Game 6.