The knicks vs celtics Eastern Conference semifinal opener lived up to its storied rivalry, as New York erased a 20-point hole and stunned the defending champions 108–105 in overtime. Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby each poured in 29 points, Karl-Anthony Towns contributed a double-double, and Mikal Bridges’ game-sealing steal on Jaylen Brown at the buzzer ensured the Knicks’ triumph.
From 20 Down to Heroic Comeback
Trailing 75–55 midway through the third quarter, the Knicks seemed headed for a familiar pattern—they had lost all four regular-season matchups against Boston. Yet New York chipped away, sparked by a 20–9 third-quarter run, and carried the momentum into an electrifying fourth. The Knicks scored the first eight points of the period, tying the game at 86 when Anunoby soared for a steal-and-dunk.
Despite three ties and three lead changes down the stretch, the game reached regulation’s final seconds knotted at 97. Brunson nearly won it on a give-and-go with Towns, but his short bank shot rimmed out and Tatum’s buzzer-beater lunged wide. In overtime, Anunoby’s three-point play and a Bridges triple put New York up 106–100. Brown’s lone made 3-pointer of ten attempts trimmed the margin, but a deep miss by Josh Hart and Tatum’s wayward jumper set the stage for Bridges’ decisive steal.
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Key Performances and Turning Points
- Jalen Brunson: His 29 points, calm leadership, and late-game poise anchored the comeback. “We told each other just keep believing,” Brunson said.
- OG Anunoby: Matching Brunson with 29 points, he sparked the rally with that pivotal steal and dunk.
- Mikal Bridges: Perfect timing on defense yielded his game-winning takeaway, capping his steady 3-pointer in OT.
- Karl-Anthony Towns: The 14-point, 13-rebound effort provided New York a crucial inside presence.
Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 23 points, while Derrick White added 19 and 11 rebounds. Yet the Celtics’ 15-for-60 performance from deep—an NBA playoff record 45 missed triples—proved fatal. “In those spots where they have momentum, we can’t just fire up 3s,” Brown lamented.
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Impact of Injuries and Lineup Changes
The Celtics welcomed back Jrue Holiday (16 points in 39 minutes) after a hamstring strain, but lost Kristaps Porzingis to illness after just 13 scoreless minutes. “Obviously it impacts the game with his ability on both ends,” coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged. Without Porzingis’ rim protection and offensive spacing, Boston struggled to close out New York’s surges.
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What’s Next in Knicks vs Celtics Series
Game 2 shifts back to Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night, with tip-off scheduled at 7:30 p.m. ET. Fans looking to catch the action can find where to watch Boston Celtics vs Knicks on national TV and streaming platforms. Both teams will seek adjustments—New York to sustain its newfound confidence, Boston to rediscover its three-point stroke and reintroduce Porzingis.
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