Things got chippy. Then they got out of hand. Then they got… kind of inevitable.
Dyson Daniels and Mitchell Robinson were both ejected during Game 6 of the Hawks-Knicks series after a scuffle that broke out late in the first half — with the emphasis on late, because this one was already over.
The Knicks were up 50 when it happened. Yes, five-zero.
Following a pair of free throws from OG Anunoby with 4:39 left before halftime, Robinson and Daniels got tangled up on a box-out. Words were exchanged.
Then came the pushing, the grabbing, and eventually a full-on crowd as teammates and coaches rushed in to separate everyone. At one point, even an official hit the floor.
Jalen Brunson and Onyeka Okongwu were among those trying to hold Robinson back, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker and others pulled Daniels away as things drifted toward the courtside seats.
“It’s tough because when you’re up that big, stuff happens,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said, via The Associated Press. “If somebody feels like something that shouldn’t happen to them happened, it’s hard to keep your composure.”
Fair enough. But also, the frustration was obvious.
The Hawks trailed 83-36 at halftime — the largest deficit at the break in NBA playoff history. That’ll test anyone’s patience.
“I couldn’t see the details,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said. “I know both teams were competing, and they were having their way with us on many, many levels, as evidenced by the scoreboard.”
Final score? 140-89. Series over. Emotions? Not exactly under control.
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