The Boston Celtics finally splashed their way back into the Eastern Conference semifinals, dominating the New York Knicks with a decisive 115-93 victory in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, May 10, 2025. This win not only marks the Celtics' first victory in the series but also serves as a much-needed boost after their dismal performance in the first two games.
Leading the charge for Boston were Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard, who both showcased their skills on the national stage. Tatum, an All-Star, contributed 22 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, while Pritchard, the 2025 NBA Sixth Man of the Year, delivered a playoff career-high 23 points off the bench. Pritchard's performance was particularly noteworthy as it marked the most points scored by a Boston reserve in a road playoff game since Kevin McHale achieved the feat against Detroit in 1991.
The Celtics' shooting woes from beyond the arc were seemingly a thing of the past, as they shot an impressive 50 percent (20-for-40) from three-point range. This was a stark contrast to their struggles in the first two games, where they managed only 25-for-100 combined. The Celtics made their first four three-point shots in Game 3, quickly establishing a rhythm that the Knicks could not counter.
Boston's early dominance was evident as they built a commanding 36-20 lead by the end of the first quarter, their highest-scoring first quarter of the postseason. The Celtics maintained their momentum, pushing their advantage to 55-33 with consecutive three-pointers from Tatum and Pritchard with just over four minutes left in the half. They headed into the locker room with a comfortable 71-46 lead.
On the other side, the Knicks struggled to find their footing. Jalen Brunson led New York with 27 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added a double-double with 21 points and 15 rebounds. However, the Knicks' supporting cast faltered, with their role players contributing only 45 points in total, compared to the Celtics' 74 points from players not named Tatum or Jaylen Brown.
The Celtics' bench outperformed the Knicks' reserves as well, scoring 34 points compared to New York's 21. Derrick White and Al Horford added 17 and 15 points, respectively, and both shot a combined 6-for-10 from three-point range. OG Anunoby, who had been a standout in Game 1 with 29 points, was held to just two points on 1-for-6 shooting.
One of the key factors in Boston's success was their improved ball security. After recording 16 turnovers in Game 2 and 13 in Game 1, the Celtics limited themselves to just eight turnovers in Game 3. Pritchard emphasized their focus on winning every possession, stating, "We just had to come out and every possession, we had to win every one of them. If it's a loose ball, we gotta win it. If it's a rebound, we gotta win it." He acknowledged the importance of their intensity and ability to control the game, especially at the end of quarters.
Despite the loss, the Knicks still hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, but the Celtics have gained crucial momentum heading into Game 4. The Knicks will be looking to bounce back on their home court, where they have enjoyed a strong following. However, they must address their shooting issues, particularly from beyond the arc, where they only managed to hit five three-pointers in Game 3.
As the series continues, the Celtics are eager to tie things up in Game 4, which is set to take place on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. ET. With the atmosphere at Madison Square Garden sure to be electric, both teams will be looking to assert their dominance and take a crucial step toward advancing in the playoffs. Pritchard remains optimistic about the challenge ahead, saying, "You wouldn’t want to be in any other position as a competitor. This is the best moment you can be in, down 2-0, backs against the wall. You just bring it."
As the Celtics prepare for their next clash with the Knicks, the stakes have never been higher. Will Boston continue their resurgence, or can New York regain their footing and extend their series lead? The basketball world will be watching closely as the drama unfolds.
