On Friday night, the New York Knicks secured a decisive victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 6, clinching a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. Now, they’ll look to take another step toward the NBA title as they prepare to face the Indiana Pacers.

The Knicks had already shown enough strength to move on during the previous five games, with impressive comebacks and wins at TD Garden that displayed a clear winning mentality. Undoubtedly, they also benefited from the Celtics‘ issues—most notably the serious injury that sidelined Jayson Tatum.

However, among all of New York’s performances in the series, none were as dominant as Game 6. They controlled the game from the outset and steadily built an overwhelming lead, heading into halftime up by 27 points over Boston. That trend didn’t change in the second half, and the game ended in a commanding 119–81 victory.

As he has all year, Jalen Brunson played a key role, with 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. But he didn’t do it alone—Karl-Anthony Towns also shined with 21 points. Other players stepped up as well, including OG Anunoby (23 points) and Mikal Bridges (22).

Tyrese Haliburton’s Indiana Pacers will be the Knicks rivals in the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals.

With a spot in the next round secured, Tom Thibodeau’s team now gets a valuable stretch to rest, recharge, and focus on the Eastern Conference Finals. Game 1 against Indiana will be held at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, May 21, followed by Game 2 two days later, before the series shifts to Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

For the Knicks, it’s a chance to get revenge for what happened last year, when the Pacers defeated them in seven games during the semifinals. They also know this is a historic opportunity to reach the NBA’s highest stage, considering it’s been 25 years since their last Conference Finals appearance.

The last time New York reached that stage was during the 1999–2000 season, the final year of Patrick Ewing with the franchise, when they knocked out the Toronto Raptors and the Miami Heat before falling in the Eastern Finals—ironically, once again, to Indiana, who will be their opponent in this round.

SURVEY Who will advance to the NBA Finals?

Who will advance to the NBA Finals?

New York Knicks
Indiana Pacers

already voted 2 fans