After a rocky Game 5, the New York Knicks decimated the Boston Celtics in Game 6 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.
The Knicks benefited from Celtics forward Jayson Tatum's absence, viciously attacking the boards. The Celtics missed Tatum the most there.
According to Masslive.com, the Knicks rebounded 45% of their misses, and the second-chance points really set the two teams apart.
May 16, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts during the second quarter of game six in the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
May 16, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts during the second quarter of game six in the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
© Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Knicks fan favorite has 3 words after win over Celtics
Waiting for them in the Eastern Conference Finals is the Indiana Pacers. The Knicks-Pacers rivalry is quite a storied one.
Patrick Ewing and Reggie Miller had many battles as part of this rivalry, with countless big-time moments.
Following their win over Boston, former fan favorite Ron Baker sent a three-word message.
"Knicks in 6" wrote Baker on X.com
Ron Baker went undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft, but was picked up by the Knicks for the summer league and later signed a contract.
Baker appeared in 92 games for the Knicks before being traded to the Washington Wizards in the 2018-19 season. He started 13 games in his rookie year.
Prior to becoming a Knicks fan-favorite, he helped Fred VanVleet lead the Wichita State Shockers to an appearance in the Midwest Regional Semifinal.
The Knicks will have their hands full with a Pacers team that made light work of the admittedly injured No. 1-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.
But if the Knicks can keep forcing turnovers and keep attacking the boards at the same rate, a trip to the NBA Finals isn't out of the question.