As the New York Knicks prepare to host the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, they find themselves on the brink of making franchise history — or repeating a familiar heartbreak.
The last time the Knicks closed out a playoff series at home was in 1999, when they defeated the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden to punch their ticket to the NBA Finals. That iconic victory marked the end of an era and the beginning of what would become a long drought of playoff frustration for one of the league’s most storied franchises.
Since then, the Knicks have had opportunities to seal series at home, only to fall short. During the 2025 playoffs, they missed chances to eliminate both the Detroit Pistons and the Celtics at home in earlier rounds. Each time, the team bounced back with road victories, but the ghosts of MSG’s postseason past continue to linger.
Now, with a 3-2 series lead over the Celtics, the Knicks once again have the chance to give their fans a long-awaited celebration on their home court. A win in Game 6 at Madison Square Garden would not only send New York to the Eastern Conference Finals but also snap a 26-year run without closing out a playoff series in front of their home crowd.
The stakes are high, the Garden will be electric, and history is on the line. The Knicks will be hoping that this time, the moment doesn’t slip away.
