The New York Knicks are into the Eastern Conference semifinals after a blowout win against the Boston Celtics.
After dropping Game 5 in a one-sided loss in TD Garden, New York Knicks fans were terrified the team could end up losing the series in humiliating fashion.
Game 6 was crucial with the Celtics holding home advantage for the potential decider, and the Knicks had to make sure the series did not stretch to a seventh game.
The Knicks did their job, winning 119-81 in a major beatdown where the game was won after three quarters.
Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty ImagesPJ Tucker minutes showed dominance
The New York Knicks were so dominant in Game 6 that veteran star PJ Tucker was given his first minutes of the series.
Tucker has been praised by teammates for the winning mentality he has provided to the team behind the scenes, since being signed as free agent two months ago.
Not many expected him to actually get minutes in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Amid chants from the crowd to get him involved, Tucker played four minutes. He registered 0 across the stat lines, barring the one foul he committed.
Fans on social media were both amused and bemused by Tucker being involved, noting that it really reflected how badly the Knicks beat the Celtics.
One wrote: “Celtics got embarrassed. Imagine being so down you allow PJ Tucker to get minutes.”
A second agreed, writing: “Subbing in PJ tucker in 2025 is crazy, how bad were you getting blow out by.”
“Bringing out PJ Tucker was disrespectful lmfaoooooo. Celtics got that ass WHOOPED,” another wrote.
“PJ Tucker minutes in the second round of the playoffs, Boston is COOKED,” added another.
A fifth fan was impressed with what they saw, writing: “PJ Tucker can still play a lil defense!”
And another reflected that this was totally unexpected, commenting: “If you told me before this series that we’d get PJ Tucker minutes in an elimination game I would’ve thought something went disastrously wrong.”
Knicks dominance was overwhelming
Jaylen Brown scored 20 points for the Celtics in their loss. The next highest scorer for the team was Payton Pritchard with 11.
The Knicks by contrast had four players with 20 points or more, Jalen Brunson (23), Mikal Bridges (22), OG Anunoby (23), and Karl-Anthony Towns (21).
Josh Hart also added a 10-11-11 triple-double, becoming the first Knicks player to do so in the playoffs since Walt Frazier 53 years ago.
Fans will hope for more of the same when the Knicks take on the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.