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Tempers flare in Knicks-Hawks blowout as players are ejected
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson scuffles with Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels as forward Onyeka Okongwu and guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker attempt to hold them back in the second quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Tempers flare in Knicks-Hawks Game 6 blowout as multiple players are ejected

By Sean Keane  |  Last updated May 1, 2026 8:35 AM ET
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Facing elimination at home down 3-2 in their first-round series, the Atlanta Hawks didn't show much fight. Until guard Dyson Daniels started an actual fight after the game was out of hand.

After the Hawks took an early 11-9 lead, the New York Knicks stunned them with a 39-4 run that grew into a 67-13 run and gave them a 50-point lead late in the second quarter. That's when Daniels and the Knicks' Mitchell Robinson scuffled in a show of heart that happened far too late in the Knicks' 140-89 victory.

Dyson Daniels lost his cool as the Atlanta Hawks floundered

On an OG Anunoby free throw that took the Knicks' lead to 50 points, Daniels first threw an elbow into Robinson's chest. He then grabbed Robinson's arm in both hands and yanked, causing an extended altercation that led to technical fouls and ejections for both players.

At the time, the Hawks had managed only 11 points in the last 15 minutes of game action. Daniels had made one basket and committed two turnovers while the Knicks shot 65 percent and forced 14 turnovers in the first half. It appeared his frustration at the loss came through, and he lashed out — against perhaps the biggest and strongest opponent possible.

It wasn't the first time the Knicks took issue with overly physical play from Daniels. During the Knicks' Game 4 win, Daniels threw down Mikal Bridges in the lane and Bridges exchanged some choice and unprintable expletives with him.

Ejections did New York Knicks a favor

Game 6 was comically out of reach before the first half even ended. Rodger Sherman observed on X.com that the game was actually a bigger blowout than the first half in the movie "Space Jam," meaning the Knicks were actually more dominant than the overpowered Monstars facing a team of cartoon animals.

With nothing at stake, the Knicks were better off with Robinson simply ejected instead of risking injury or further NBA punishment in a second half that truly didn't matter. That may be why the officials decided to minimize the chaos and simply send both combatants to the locker room.

Knicks coach Mike Brown played it safe in the second half. Bridges and Anunoby played just over six minutes, while the Knicks' other starters were out after 9:15 of the third quarter. Anunoby led the Knicks with 29 points, Bridges scored 24 on 10-of-12 shooting and Karl-Anthony Towns had a triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.

As for Robinson, he logged a near-impossible plus/minus of +29 in just nine minutes of game action. As long as he avoids a suspension, no one will remember the altercation — just the blowout and the Knicks moving on to the second round.

Sean Keane
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Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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