New York, NY — A stunning contrast filled the arena as the New York Knicks faced the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Saturday. Outside Madison Square Garden, the sun shone brightly on fans hopeful for a victory, but inside, a powerful storm brewed as the Celtics unleashed a barrage of three-pointers, dominating the matchup for a decisive 115-93 victory.
The defeat shifted the dynamic of the series, leaving the Knicks with a fragile 2-1 lead. After reflecting on Saturday’s performance, concerns grew among Knicks supporters. The Celtics displayed their championship pedigree, reminiscent of the dominant victories they had over the Knicks during the regular season.
Historically, the Celtics entered this game hoping to rewrite a narrative that has rarely favored teams down 0-2 at home in a best-of-seven series. Only five teams have managed to advance, and Boston aimed to become the sixth with their impressive performance.
Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who had struggled in the earlier games, found their rhythm with a combined 41 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists. Their revitalized energy was evident as the Celtics sank 20 of 40 three-point attempts after a dismal showing in prior contests, where they missed a staggering 75 shots from beyond the arc.
The Knicks faced a daunting 25-point deficit by halftime, a gap that grew as Boston extended its lead to as many as 31 points early in the third quarter. Unlike previous games where the Knicks mounted impressive comebacks, they could not close the gap this time, never reducing the lead below 20 points. This sets the stage for an important Game 4 back at Madison Square Garden on Monday, where the Knicks have now lost three consecutive home playoff games.
Despite a brief flicker of momentum midway through the third quarter, the Knicks struggled to capitalize. Key playmakers faltered, including Jalen Brunson, who led the team with 27 points, much of it coming too late. OG Anunoby contributed only two points and continued to struggle, having scored just seven points in the last two games. The team’s rebounding was subpar, and defensive efforts proved insufficient against the Celtics’ relentless offense.
Celtics guard Payton Pritchard emerged as a significant contributor off the bench, scoring 23 points and further adding pressure on the Knicks’ defense. At halftime, with Boston leading 71-46, the energy in the Garden was muted, a far cry from the usual playoff atmosphere. The Knicks started the game poorly, shooting only 4-of-17 from the field and failing to convert 10 of their 12 three-point attempts.
The Celtics capitalized on the Knicks’ early struggles, hitting their first three attempts from beyond the arc and finishing the first half with an impressive 12-of-19 performance. Tatum and Brown’s combined efforts revitalized Boston’s confidence and highlighted the challenges facing New York.
As the Knicks regroup for the crucial upcoming game, head coach Tom Thibodeau and his team will need to address their performance deficiencies to regain control of the series. The energy and resilience that brought them success earlier will be crucial if they hope to withstand the onslaught of a determined Celtics team bent on clawing back into contention.