Hawks' Season Ends in Historic 51-Point Loss to Knicks, Fueled by Record Halftime Deficit and Brawl

Key facts

• The Knicks led 83-36 at halftime, the largest halftime deficit in NBA playoff history.
• New York's largest lead was 61 points (101-40) in the third quarter, an NBA playoff record.
• Knicks forward OG Anunoby scored 14 points in the first quarter, nearly outscoring the Hawks (15) alone.
• Hawks guard Dyson Daniels and Knicks center Mitchell Robinson were ejected after a fight in the second quarter.
• Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga posted a -44 plus-minus in the first half, the worst ever in a playoff game.
• Nickeil Alexander-Walker committed five turnovers for Atlanta; Jalen Brunson had none for New York.
• CJ McCollum shot 30% from the field, scoring well below his playoff average of 20 points per game.
• The Knicks became the first road team to score 100 points before the home team reached 50.

A Record Collapse on Home Court

The Atlanta Hawks entered Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks needing a win to extend their season. Instead, they produced the most lopsided halftime deficit in NBA playoff history. After one quarter, the Knicks led 40-15, and by halftime the score read 83-36 — a 47-point gap that shattered the previous record of 41 points set in 2017 and tied in 2025. The Hawks never recovered. The final score, 140-89, handed Atlanta a 51-point elimination loss, the largest margin of defeat in a playoff clincher this season. The Knicks' largest lead ballooned to 61 points in the third quarter, another playoff record. New York also became the first road team in NBA postseason history to score 100 points before the home team reached 50.

Anunoby Ignites the Rout

OG Anunoby, typically known for his defense rather than scoring, erupted for 14 points in the first quarter on six-of-seven shooting. His output nearly matched the Hawks' entire team total of 15 points in the period. Anunoby's hot start set the tone for a Knicks offense that shot with ruthless efficiency throughout the night. The Knicks' ball security compounded Atlanta's woes. New York committed just nine turnovers as a team, with captain Jalen Brunson recording none despite his heavy usage. The Hawks, by contrast, coughed up the ball repeatedly, led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker's five turnovers. Alexander-Walker, recently named the NBA's Most Improved Player, struggled to handle the Knicks' defensive pressure.

Key Hawks Contributors Fail in Do-or-Die Game

CJ McCollum, acquired in January as part of the Trae Young trade, endured one of the worst playoff performances of his career. The veteran guard shot 30% from the field, a far cry from his career playoff average of 20 points per game over 73 postseason appearances. McCollum's struggles epitomized Atlanta's offensive collapse. Forward Jonathan Kuminga, acquired from the Golden State Warriors in February, posted a plus-minus of -44 in the first half alone — the worst single-half plus-minus ever recorded in a playoff game. In 23 minutes overall, the Hawks were outscored by 44 points with Kuminga on the floor. His inability to contain the Knicks' attack or contribute offensively left Atlanta without a viable counter.

Brawl Erupts in Second Quarter as Frustration Boils Over

With 4:39 remaining in the first half and the Knicks already leading by 50 points, tensions exploded. As OG Anunoby shot a free throw, Atlanta's Dyson Daniels and New York's Mitchell Robinson became entangled while jostling for rebound position. Daniels appeared to direct words at Robinson that incited the Knicks center, leading to shoves and a melee that spilled into the front row of fans. Referees ejected both Daniels and Robinson after review. The incident underscored the Hawks' frustration with their own performance; they had no one to blame but themselves for the deficit. Robinson later posted a video of a cartoon hamster on his Instagram story, widely interpreted as a taunt directed at Daniels. The league will review video to determine if additional suspensions are warranted.

A Familiar Nightmare for Buddy Hield

Hawks guard Buddy Hield played nine minutes and scored five inconsequential points, but the game carried painful echoes of his past. Ten years ago, as a college player at Oklahoma, Hield suffered the largest defeat in Final Four history — a 44-point loss to Villanova. On Thursday, he became part of the largest halftime deficit in NBA playoff history. Compounding the irony, three Knicks players — Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges — were on the winning side of both that 2016 Final Four blowout and Thursday's humiliation. For Hield, the basketball gods delivered a cruel symmetry.

What Comes Next for Both Teams

The Knicks advance to the second round, carrying momentum from a dominant closeout performance. They will await the winner of the other first-round series, with their rotation intact and no immediate injury concerns from the brawl. Mitchell Robinson's potential suspension remains the only uncertainty. For the Hawks, the offseason begins with fundamental questions. The Trae Young trade brought McCollum and Alexander-Walker, but Thursday's performance raised doubts about the roster's cohesion and resilience. Jonathan Kuminga's playoff minus-minus of -44 will fuel scrutiny of the February trade. Atlanta must also address the disciplinary fallout from the fight, as Dyson Daniels could face a suspension carrying into next season.

The bottom line

• The Knicks set three NBA playoff records: largest halftime lead (47 points), largest lead at any point (61 points), and first road team to score 100 before the home team reached 50.
• OG Anunoby scored 14 points in the first quarter, nearly outscoring the entire Hawks team (15) in the period.
• Jonathan Kuminga posted a -44 plus-minus in the first half, the worst single-half plus-minus in playoff history.
• Dyson Daniels and Mitchell Robinson were ejected after a second-quarter brawl; further discipline may follow.
• CJ McCollum shot 30% from the field, well below his career playoff average of 20 points per game.
• Buddy Hield was part of two historic blowouts: the largest Final Four loss (2016) and the largest NBA playoff halftime deficit (2025).