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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 two technical fouls after inciting a scrum that led to a referee violently slamming the court in the second quarter.
At the time, the Knicks led 72-22 when New York made free throws. As OG Anunoby hit his only opportunity, Robinson and Daniels were seen 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 during the second quarter of Game 6 of the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on April 30, 2026. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
An official was trying to break up the skirmish, but lost his footing and hit the hardwood. Meanwhile, Robinson was trying to get back at Daniels, and the Hawks and Knicks players were trying to hold the others back in the exchange.
Robinson and Daniels continued to bite each other, repeatedly trying to come face to face as coaches and officials worked to calm them down.
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Once Robinson and Daniels returned to their respective benches, both players were ejected after further review.
The replay showed Daniels throwing an elbow into Robinson’s chest while Anunoby was making the free throw, and the Knicks center reacted accordingly. Ultimately, this led to an early exit for both players.
Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks reacts during the first quarter of Game 6 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 road game in Atlanta with a chance to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs, but perhaps even they weren’t expecting what happened in the first half.
When the buzzer sounded at the end of the second quarter, the Knicks led 83-36 entering the locker room. Although there are two quarters left to play, it doesn’t look good for the Hawks, who shot a mediocre 31 percent 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 as a team both 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 had four interceptions for New York.
Dyson Daniels of the Atlanta Hawks gets around Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks during the first quarter in Game 6 of the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia 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 Knicks’ high total, while Karl-Anthony Towns made all 10 of his free throw attempts in the first half.
Things are looking bleak for the Hawks early in the third quarter, and perhaps tempers will flare even more if the game remains completely out of reach for Atlanta.
