BOSTON

Turning down a narrow corridor on the way in from the court, here came a smiling but aching Carmelo Anthony, his left arm dangling from its injured shoulder, courtesy of a Game 5 tango with his least favorite opponent, Kevin Garnett.

Here came J. R. Smith, his reworked but ever-fragile reputation showing cracks from the strain of postseason pressure, still holding together.

Here came young Iman Shumpert on his surgically repaired knee and Jason Kidd on 40-year-old legs and the rest of the tired but contented Knicks. Here they filed, into the visitors’ locker room Friday night, with no four-game sweep, but with the satisfaction of a more painful disposal.

More than jubilation, the Knicks wore badges of competitive — or combative — honor after bringing closure in all likelihood to the Paul Pierce-Garnett era and the die-hard team that won Boston’s 17th and most recent N.B.A. championship.