In a stunning turn of events on Monday night, the Boston Celtics found themselves on the wrong end of an overtime thriller against the New York Knicks, losing 108-105 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series at TD Garden. This shocking defeat marks the first time the Celtics have trailed in a playoff series since 2023, a stark contrast to their dominant 16-3 run during last season’s championship campaign.
The game was a rollercoaster ride, with the Celtics leading by as much as 20 points in the second half before the Knicks mounted a remarkable comeback. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 23 points for Boston, while Derrick White contributed 19 points and 11 rebounds. However, the Celtics struggled mightily from beyond the arc, hitting only 15 of their 60 three-point attempts, which translates to a dismal 25.0% shooting rate. Their 45 missed threes set an NBA playoff record, highlighting a night where shooting woes plagued the defending champions.
Conversely, the Knicks were led by a dynamic duo of Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, who each poured in 29 points. Karl-Anthony Towns added a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds, providing crucial support as the Knicks overcame their regular-season struggles against Boston. This was their first victory against the Celtics this season, having previously lost all four regular-season matchups by an average of 16.5 points.
Despite the loss, the Celtics appeared to be in control early, leading 61-45 at halftime. Tatum set the tone in the first quarter, scoring 13 points and energizing the crowd with a transition dunk off a long outlet pass from Brown. Boston’s defense was also effective, forcing the Knicks into tough shots and capitalizing on their weaknesses. However, as the game progressed, the Celtics' shooting slump became increasingly apparent.
Brown, who finished the game with a 1-for-10 performance from three-point range, remarked, "Orlando kind of took the 3-point line away. I felt like tonight, (the Knicks) were kind of daring us to shoot. They wanted us to shoot those shots. And we didn’t make them tonight. But I felt like we had a ton of good looks. Some maybe we forced up and settled, for sure. We’ll look at those and be better at those. But that’s an abnormal game for us in terms of shooting the basketball.”
The Celtics began to falter as the game wore on, with the Knicks capitalizing on their missed opportunities. After leading 72-52 at one point in the third quarter, Boston's offense stagnated, scoring just nine points over the final 5:47 of the period. The Knicks, on the other hand, surged back, cutting the deficit to just 11 points entering the fourth quarter.
As the fourth quarter unfolded, the Knicks continued their relentless push, tying the game at 86 with a steal and dunk from Anunoby. The teams exchanged leads in a thrilling back-and-forth finish, with White hitting a crucial three-pointer to give Boston a brief lead. However, Anunoby responded with a three of his own, and the game remained tight until the final moments.
With the game tied at 105 late in overtime, Mikal Bridges made a critical play, stealing the ball from Brown with just a second remaining, sealing the victory for New York. The tension in the arena was palpable as the Celtics struggled to find their rhythm in crucial moments, showcasing the pressure of playoff basketball.
In the aftermath of the game, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla reflected on the performance, stating, “It’s a lot of shots that we want certain guys taking, and we felt like we got some good looks. Obviously, in hindsight, if we could go back, we probably would drive the ball a little bit more because we missed a lot of shots tonight.”
The Celtics also faced challenges with their lineup. Jrue Holiday made his return after a hamstring injury but played alongside a limited Kristaps Porzingis, who exited the game due to an illness after just 13 minutes. Additionally, rotation wing Sam Hauser left the game with an ankle sprain, further complicating Boston's efforts to maintain their lead.
As the series progresses, all eyes will be on Game 2, set for Wednesday night on Causeway Street. The Celtics will need to regroup and adjust their strategy if they hope to rebound from this unexpected setback. With their backs against the wall for the first time in a long while, the pressure is on the defending champions to prove they can overcome adversity.
In conclusion, the Knicks' comeback victory not only shifts the momentum in their favor but also raises questions about the Celtics' resilience and ability to respond under pressure. As the series continues, both teams will be looking to assert their dominance and lay claim to the Eastern Conference title.
