BOSTON — The New York Knicks did it again, stunning the Boston Celtics with a remarkable comeback to win Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals 91-90 at TD Garden on May 7, 2025. This victory not only gives the Knicks a 2-0 series lead but also marks a historic achievement as they became the first team in NBA history to complete a 20-point comeback in consecutive playoff games.
Trailing by 20 points with just over three minutes left in the third quarter, the Knicks mounted an incredible rally, outscoring the Celtics 38-17 in the final stretch. Jalen Brunson, the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year, showcased his talent once again, scoring nine of his 17 points in the fourth quarter. His performance was crucial as he delivered key plays when they mattered most.
Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks’ head coach, praised Brunson’s ability to shine in critical moments, stating, “That’s Jalen. It doesn’t matter what’s going on in the game, he’s going to be at his best when his best is needed.” Despite a rough start, where Brunson had only eight points on 3-for-13 shooting through three quarters, he stepped up when it was crucial.
Brunson's pull-up jumper gave the Knicks their first lead of the game with 1:59 remaining, and shortly after, he extended that lead to three points with a layup using his weaker right hand. With just 12.7 seconds left, he was fouled and drilled both free throws to put New York ahead 91-90. Mikal Bridges sealed the game with a pivotal steal against Jayson Tatum, ensuring the Knicks’ victory.
“We know when it gets close at the end of the game, a one-possession game, we got Captain Clutch,” said Josh Hart, referring to Brunson’s ability to perform under pressure. Throughout this postseason, Brunson has been a standout player, scoring a total of 86 points in the fourth quarter alone, which is 20 more than the next closest competitor, Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards. His shooting has been impressive, with a 50.8 percent accuracy from the field and 41.2 percent from three-point range.
The Knicks' clutch performances have been a significant factor in their success during the playoffs. In their previous matchup, they had also come back from a 20-point deficit to steal Game 1, winning 108-105 in overtime. This consistency in late-game scenarios has put them in a commanding position against the reigning NBA champions.
On the other hand, the Celtics have faced challenges in clutch situations. They have a -26.7 net rating in such scenarios this postseason and have struggled significantly, shooting just 24.1 percent from the floor and 9.1 percent from three-point range in clutch-time playoff games. In the fourth quarter of Games 1 and 2 combined, Boston shot 9-for-45 (20 percent) from the field and 4-for-24 (16.7 percent) from beyond the arc, scoring a mere 33 points.
Jayson Tatum had a particularly tough night in Game 2, finishing with only 13 points on 5-for-19 shooting, while Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 20 points but failed to score in the fourth quarter. “They made every play,” said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla. “Throughout the end of third and into the fourth quarter, I thought we generated some good looks. We had some live-ball turnovers, and they took advantage of it. They made the necessary plays to win.”
The Celtics have now become the first team since the 1996-97 season to lose two games while leading by 20 or more points in a single postseason. Their struggles in closing out games have raised concerns as they prepare for the next matchup.
Brown acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, “We gotta be better to close games, and we gotta learn and respond fast. So that’s the key. Shift your mentality, shift your focus. What’s in the past is over with. Let it sting a little bit, and then do whatever it takes in Game 3.”
As the series shifts to New York for Game 3, scheduled for Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Madison Square Garden, the Celtics will look to regroup and show resilience. With the Knicks taking a 2-0 lead, the pressure is on Boston to respond and avoid falling deeper into a hole.
With the stakes high and the intensity expected to rise, fans can anticipate another thrilling contest as both teams battle for control of the series. The Knicks have shown they can perform under pressure, but the Celtics will need to find their rhythm if they hope to stay competitive in this playoff series.
