Jalen Brunson & Knicks Roar After Closing Win vs. Hawks

Knicks vs – Brunson and the Knicks dominated the Hawks in Game 6 to reach the next round, with Roman Reigns turning into a surprise postgame topic.
A postseason statement doesn’t get much louder than this: the New York Knicks steamrolled the Atlanta Hawks 140-89 in Game 6 to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals, turning the series end into a rout.
In a night that felt decided early. New York surged to a 40-15 lead after the first quarter and extended that control with a halftime cushion that reached a playoff-record pace. before pushing the advantage even further as the game moved through the third quarter.. Jalen Brunson paced the Knicks with 17 points. eight rebounds. and two steals. and the lopsided score left little room for suspense once the tempo tilted in the Knicks’ favor.
This kind of win matters because it doesn’t just move a team onward, it also signals confidence, depth, and momentum heading into a tougher slate.
With the game effectively decided, the postgame atmosphere had the relaxed edge of a series clinch.. That’s when one question took a surprising turn: Brunson. who is known as a wrestling fan. was asked how he felt about Roman Reigns winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania over CM Punk.. The matchup choice was unexpected. but the response landed naturally within the broader entertainment crossover that’s long been part of sports culture around Madison Square Garden.
New York’s night also carried extra context for Brunson personally.. He has previously appeared on WWE SmackDown at his home arena. and his wrestling connection has included on-stage moments with fellow NBA stars who share the same fandom.. The Knicks’ playoff mission now becomes the central storyline, though, as the focus shifts back to basketball.
For the Knicks, the next test will sharpen their identity even more. Reaching the semifinals is one goal; sustaining this level of dominance when the competition tightens is the real measure.
The Knicks will now face the winner of the Celtics–76ers series, which will be settled by Game 7 in Boston on Saturday. That matchup promise is clear: after this kind of Game 6 performance, New York will expect a more physical, more strategic game plan from whoever comes out on top.
And while Brunson’s wrestling talk highlighted the off-court spark. the driving force for New York remains simple: convert this playoff surge into a deep run. and keep turning dominance into opportunities.. For a franchise chasing its first Finals appearance since 1999 and its first championship since 1973. every next opponent feels like a step closer to the bigger stage.