The Atlanta Hawks were trying to secure a Game 6 win on Thursday night against the New York Knicks. But the Knicks overwhelmed the Hawks, leading by as much as 50 points in the first half.
With ESPN showing the game nationwide, NBA fans were watching Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and the Knicks simply steamroll ahead. The NBA world had plenty of thoughts in watching the Hawks look totally lost.
NBA World Shares Thoughts on Hawks’ First Half
At halftime, the Knicks led 83-36. It was the biggest halftime lead in NBA playoff history. Atlanta was playing at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, but Hawks fans had nothing to cheer for at all. The Hawks had 14 turnovers in the first half, too.
Things got rowdy in the second quarter when the Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson and the Hawks’ Dyson Daniels were ejected for an on-court fracas. Maybe Hawks fans were hoping that could spark their team to fight back. Well, Atlanta didn’t have much to put up on the scoreboard.
NBA Central’s account on X showed an image of the Knicks up by 50 in the second quarter. The account posted, “How is this possible?”
How is this possible? pic.twitter.com/Lo0OKe6IkM
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 1, 2026
ESPN “Get Up!” host Mike Greenberg was watching the Knicks-Hawks clash and posted on X, “It is not hyperbole to say this is the most one-sided playoff game I’ve ever seen. #Knicks.”
It is not hyperbole to say this is the most one-sided playoff game I’ve ever seen. #Knicks
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) May 1, 2026
Knicks owner James Dolan was sitting next to Stephon Marbury courtside. Cameras caught Dolan chatting with Marbury. NBA writer Tomar Azarly of ClutchPoints posted the video on X and wrote, “Knicks owner James Dolan to Stephon Marbury on New York’s 60-19 lead in the 1st half: ’41 f**king points!”
An influencer posted an image of the first-quarter score showing the Knicks leading by 25 points. The influencer posted on X, “Hawks u had a good run, rip”.
Hawks u had a good run, rip pic.twitter.com/kNqyGZZ5Gp
— ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) April 30, 2026
Bill Simmons of The Ringer, while watching the Knicks tear up the Hawks, seemed to offer some betting advice. Simmons posted his thoughts on X: “Hawks +60 in real danger tonight. Seemed like a safe parlay leg.”
Hawks +60 in real danger tonight. Seemed like a safe parlay leg.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 1, 2026
And, well, Complex Sports put something out in a post on X, wondering if the Hawks are putting their best players on the court on Thursday night. The account posted, “Did the Hawks leave they talent in the locker room or something?”
Did the Hawks leave they talent in the locker room or something? 🤔😂
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) April 30, 2026
A 63-11 run between the first and second quarters gave the Knicks enough of a cushion. It was a cushion that the Hawks were going to have to cut through if they were going to get back into the game. Jalen Johnson was the only Hawks player in double figures with 11 points at halftime.
As it now stands, New York is one-half away from advancing to the next round in the NBA playoffs. The third quarter started out much like the rest of the game, with the Knicks hitting buckets left and right and going on a 10-0 run.
