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Breaking records and moving on—the Knicks have their rhythm back.

🎉 Happy birthday to Amir Johnson and Chet Holmgren! 🎉

Even without the Alpha, the pack got it done.

A Timberwolves team led by Jaden McDaniels (32 PTS, 10 REB) and Terrence Shannon (24 PTS, 6 REB in first playoff start) eliminated Nikola Jokic (28 PTS, 10 AST, 9 REB) and the Denver Nuggets last night in the final game of a great first round series.

It was a back-and-forth affair between the two teams, both of which have been underhanded throughout the entire series, but the Wolves—without Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo—controlled the lead starting in the third quarter and out-gritted the Nuggets down the stretch.

In a rough game for Jamal Murray (12 PTS, 4-17 FG), it was Cam Johnson (27 PTS, 8 REB) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (13 PTS) picking up the slack next to Jokic. But this Minnesota squad did what it’s done all year—find ways to win games, regardless of who’s on the court. On to San Antonio!

It was the biggest playoff victory in franchise history. It was the largest halftime lead in NBA playoff history.

For the Knicks, it was just the next step towards a championship.

OG Anunoby (29 PTS, 7 REB), Karl-Anthony Towns (12 PTS, 11 REB, 10 AST), and Mikal Bridges (24 PTS) led the charge as the Knicks absolutely obliterated the Hawks in Game 6 of their first round series, sending Atlanta packing in dramatic fashion.

New York went on a 35-6 run while holding the Hawks to just 36 points in the first half, going up 60-19 midway through the second behind Anunoby’s hot shooting. As for Atlanta, it’s a disappointing end to a season that got a late breath of new life. Jalen Johnson (21 PTS) shined through despite it all, but it’s all about next season now for the Hawks.

The Knicks, though, are looking ahead.

Getting eliminated from the playoffs sucks, but a sour ending shouldn’t spoil a full season of good basketball! Here’s to all those teams that we’ve lost: 🥂

Even before injuries to Mark Williams and Grayson Allen, knocking off the defending champs would’ve been a struggle for the 8-seeded Suns. After this series, OKC moved to 12-0 in Round 1 matchups over the last 3 seasons, winning their games by an average of 16.5 points. Not much you can do against that buzzsaw.

There’s still plenty of reason to celebrate. Phoenix was never even supposed to be here; they smashed their preseason over/under of 30.5, winning 45. Jordan Ott installed a frenetic, fun style that overachieved and established a real culture. G-League stud Collin Gillespie became a quality starter. Dillon Brooks averaged 20 PPG! The groundwork is there to build a truly competitive roster. Rest easy, Phoenix, the Sun will come out tomorrow.

At least Tom Dundon won’t have to pair for travel anymore. I joke, but Portland really has no reason to hang its head. This is a team whose coach was federally indicted one game into the season and still managed to snap a 5-year playoff drought and field a first-time All-Star.

Deni Avdija was the type of developmental breakthrough the Blazers have been banking on. Guys like Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Donovan Clingan, and even Yang Hansen will all try to follow in his stead. With the flattening of lottery odds that’s beginning to feel inevitable, Portland should be ok to churn in the middle while looking to hit on more prospects. Also, there’s this guy Damian Lillard who comes back next year. He’s supposed to be okay at basketball.

It’s tough to find a bright spot for Denver after this one. This was a brutal, nasty, heated series—the boiling point for the best active rivalry in the NBA. Sure, Peyton Watson was never healthy, and their most valuable non-star Aaron Gordon never fully recovered from a nagging calf injury, but the Timberwolves only had 8 healthy players in their Game 6 win. Sometimes you just get beat.

The Nuggets still have their ring. They still employ Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Losing three ultra-competitive playoff series (Minnesota twice, Oklahoma City last season) in three years doesn’t change that. It also doesn’t reduce the existential pressure of their upcoming offseason. At the very least, though, it ensures this core will get yet another opportunity to climb the mountain again.

Wow. Atlanta fans lived through 10 seasons in one. The offseason hype. The disappointing start led to the expulsion of the face of the franchise, Trae Young. The dominant second half was fueled by the emergence of Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker as All-Star and 6th Man of the Year, respectively. Even their 2-1 series lead of New York feels like a lifetime ago after a historic 51 POINT loss in Game 6. Take a breath, Hawks fans.

A beat-down of that caliber can break you. Or you can pause, dust yourself off, and come back even harder. I don’t think Atlanta is going away anytime soon. This was a team trying to build the road as they drove on it; now they get an offseason of stability and development to discover who they can be.

Written by Enjoy intern Ben Gordnier.

And we out! Rest, recharge, and relax this weekend, Enjoyers. See you soon! ✌️

Austin Zeglis