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Frustration boiled over in Game 6 of the New York Knicks-Atlanta Hawks series amid a shocking 50-point Knicks lead in the first half.
Knicks big man Mitchell Robinson and Hawks guard Dyson Daniels were both ejected after receiving double technical fouls after inciting a scrum that led to an official hitting the court hard in the second quarter.
At that point, the Knicks were up as much as 72-22 when the free throws were taken by New York. When OG Anunoby hit his and-one opportunity, Robinson and Daniels came face-to-face, leading to an embrace that turned aggressive.
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Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks and Jalen Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks battle in the second quarter of Game Six of the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga., on April 30, 2026. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
An official tried to break up the skirmish, but lost his footing and hit the hardwood. Meanwhile, Robinson tried to go back to Daniels, and both Hawks and Knicks players tried to hold others back in the exchange.
Robinson and Daniels continued to jaw at each other and repeatedly tried to come face-to-face as trainers and officials worked to calm them down.
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When Robinson and Daniels returned to their respective benches, both players were ejected after further review.
Replays showed Daniels throwing an elbow into Robinson’s chest as Anunoby took the free throw, and the Knicks center then responded. Ultimately, it led to an early exit for both players.
Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks reacts during the first quarter of Game Six against the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on April 30, 2026. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Knicks entered this game on the road in Atlanta with a chance to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs, but perhaps they didn’t even expect what happened in the first half.
When the buzzer rang at the end of the second quarter, the Knicks were up 83-36 heading into the locker room. With two quarters left to play, it’s not looking good for the Hawks, who shot 31% from the field while committing 14 turnovers.
Meanwhile, the Knicks couldn’t stop hitting their shots, especially Anunoby, who had more points than the Hawks had as a team in the first half. He finished the half with 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting while grabbing seven rebounds and two assists. He also tallied four steals for New York.
Dyson Daniels of the Atlanta Hawks drives around Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks in the first quarter of Game Six of the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga., on April 30, 2026. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Mikal Bridges (16 points) and Jalen Brunson (13 points) also added to the high Knicks total, while Karl-Anthony Towns hit all 10 of his free throw attempts in the first half.
Things look bleak for the Hawks as the third quarter begins, and perhaps even more tempers will flare if the game remains completely out of Atlanta’s reach.
