In a thrilling display of resilience and skill, the New York Knicks pulled off another remarkable comeback to defeat the Boston Celtics 91-90 on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at TD Garden. With this victory, the Knicks have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, putting them just two wins away from advancing to the Conference Finals.
Mikal Bridges once again proved to be the hero for New York, sealing the game with a crucial steal in the closing seconds. After the Knicks found themselves down by 20 points in the third quarter, they rallied back, outscoring the Celtics 30-17 in the fourth quarter. Jalen Brunson's two free throws with just 12.7 seconds remaining put the Knicks ahead for good at 91-90.
Bridges, who scored all 14 of his points in the fourth quarter, has become a reliable clutch player for the Knicks, as noted by his teammate Karl-Anthony Towns. "That’s what he does," Towns said. "We got the Clutch Player of the Year in the NBA, and we possibly got one of the most clutch defenders in the NBA as well. So, it’s only right that with all the talk people have done about Mikal, it’s when the lights were the brightest that he gets to show his worth."
Towns himself had a standout performance, finishing with 21 points on 9-for-16 shooting and grabbing 17 rebounds. His contributions were vital, especially in the first half, where he scored 14 points and kept the Knicks within striking distance as they entered halftime trailing 50-41. "KAT, the way he started off the game was great for us," Brunson remarked. "He’s been one of the best teammates we have, and the way he gives us energy and gets rebounds doesn’t go unnoticed."
The Celtics struggled offensively, particularly from beyond the arc, hitting only 10 of their 40 three-point attempts. Jaylen Brown and Derrick White each scored 20 points, but star player Jayson Tatum was limited to just 13 points on 5-for-19 shooting. Kristaps Porzingis, who had missed the second half of Game 1 due to illness, came off the bench for Boston, contributing eight points and four rebounds.
As the Knicks prepare to host Game 3 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, they are keenly aware of the opportunity before them. Brunson expressed the team's focus, stating, "Going home we realize the opportunity we have. We just have to stay locked in."
Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder made headlines with a record-setting performance against the Denver Nuggets, winning 149-106. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the standout player, scoring 34 points in just three quarters and leading the Thunder to tie their series at one game apiece. The Thunder set an NBA playoff record for first-half points with 87, surpassing the previous record of 86 held by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Gilgeous-Alexander was incredibly efficient, making 11 of 13 field goals and all 11 of his free throws. His performance helped the Thunder dominate the game, leading by as much as 49 points. Russell Westbrook led the Nuggets with 19 points, while Nikola Jokic, who had a stellar Game 1 with 42 points and 22 rebounds, was held to 17 points and eight rebounds before fouling out in the third quarter.
As the playoffs continue, the Knicks and Thunder are both showing their championship aspirations, with the Knicks looking to maintain their momentum in the Eastern Conference and the Thunder aiming to reclaim their dominance in the West. The stage is set for an exciting weekend of playoff basketball as teams vie for a spot in the next round.
The Knicks' thrilling win over the Celtics exemplifies their grit and determination, making them a team to watch as they continue their playoff journey. With the series shifting back to New York, the fans are eager to see if the Knicks can capitalize on their momentum and take a commanding 3-0 lead.
