The New York Knicks showcased their resilience once again by overcoming a daunting 20-point deficit in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics, securing a vital 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Jalen Brunson stepped up in the clutch, sinking two critical free throws with just 12.7 seconds remaining to give the Knicks a narrow one-point lead. The game concluded with a stunning steal by Mikal Bridges, this time from Jayson Tatum, ensuring a dramatic 91-90 victory at TD Garden.
According to the Associated Press, teams winning the first two games of a playoff series on the road advance to the next round 85.7% of the time, placing the defending champions in a precarious position as they head into their next games at the electrifying Madison Square Garden. Boston star Jaylen Brown expressed his frustration, stating, “Two games we’re up 20 points (and) somehow end up not with wins is inexcusable,” emphasizing the team’s need to respond to the challenge ahead.
The Celtics have set a record for the most three-pointers attempted in a season, yet their shooting woes have haunted them in this series. In the first two games, they have managed only 25-of-100 from beyond the arc, including an astonishing playoff-record miss of 45 three-pointers in Game 1. During the crucial fourth quarter of Game 2, the Celtics' offense collapsed, failing to convert 14 of their last 15 shot attempts, which featured an incredible stretch of over eight minutes without a single basket.
The Knicks are off to an impressive start this postseason, particularly considering they finished 10 games behind the top-seeded Celtics during the regular season and were swept 4-0 in their matchups. Josh Hart led the Knicks with a game-high 23 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed significantly with 21 points and 17 rebounds. Brunson, recognized as the 2024-25 Clutch Player of the Year, added 17 points, including the Knicks’ last six points, and dished out seven assists. After a challenging start, Bridges found his rhythm late, scoring all 14 of his points in the fourth quarter, including the crucial steal that sealed the game. He noted post-game that the team is “just finding ways to win.”
On the Celtics' side, Derrick White and Jaylen Brown each netted 20 points, but Jayson Tatum struggled significantly, finishing with only 13 points on 5-of-19 shooting. As the series shifts to New York for Game 3 on Saturday, the Celtics are under immense pressure to turn the tide.
In another thrilling matchup, the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Denver Nuggets with a staggering 149-106 victory, leveling their playoff series at 1-1. The Thunder made history by scoring an incredible 87 points in the first half, setting a new NBA playoff record. Denver, who recently parted ways with longtime head coach Michael Malone, managed to secure a win in Game 1 thanks to a late three-pointer by Aaron Gordon, but Game 2 was a different story as Oklahoma City surged to a commanding 24-point lead in the first quarter.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge for the Thunder, finishing with a game-high 34 points, along with eight assists and four rebounds. Chet Holmgren also made an impact, recording a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. All five Thunder starters, in addition to three players off the bench, scored in double figures during the blowout. In contrast, Nikola Jokić, Gilgeous-Alexander’s rival for the MVP award, struggled, scoring just 17 points and fouling out in the third quarter after his historic 42-point, 22-rebound performance in Game 1.
With the series tied, the next game will take place in Denver on Saturday, as both teams look to gain the upper hand in this exciting playoff battle.
