ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels and New York’s Mitchell Robinson were ejected from Game 6 of the Hawks-Knicks playoff series Thursday night after a fight that prompted offsetting technical fouls, part of a game in which New York would go on to win by 51 points.
It was already decided when the scuffle took place. OG Anunoby extended the Knicks’ lead to 50 points with a pair of free throws and 4:39 remaining in the first half.
Robinson boxed out Daniels and things got heated, with an official even taking a tumble as many people tried to calm them down. The Hawks’ Onyeka Okongwu and the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson held Robinson back as the fight inched toward fans sitting courtside.
“It’s tough because when you’re up that big, stuff happens,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said after New York’s 140-89 series-clinching win. “If somebody feels like something that shouldn’t happen to them happened, it’s hard to keep your composure in that moment.”
Nickeil Alexander-Walker and several coaches pulled Daniels away, including Hawks head coach Quin Snyder.
It was easy to understand why the Hawks were frustrated. Atlanta’s 83-36 deficit was the largest at halftime in NBA playoff history.
“I couldn’t see the details of the situation, who did what to whom,” Snyder said. “I know that both teams were competing and they were having their way with us on many, many levels — as evidenced by the scoreboard.”
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