New York, N.Y. — The New York Knicks staged a remarkable comeback, overcoming a significant halftime deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics 108-105 in overtime. Down by as much as 20 points in the second half, the Knicks showcased their resilience, outscoring their opponents 63-44 in the latter stages of the game.
Trailing by 15 at halftime, New York leaned heavily on its star players, particularly Jalen Brunson, who continued his impressive performance in the postseason. Brunson’s contributions were pivotal in the fourth quarter as the Knicks rallied back into contention. With this victory, New York marked its first win against the Celtics this season after struggling through the regular season with a 0-4 record against them.
The Celtics, who entered the matchup as favorites, faced a shooting slump that severely hindered their performance. The team managed only 15-of-60 from three-point range, while key players Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown struggled, going a combined 14-of-43. This inefficient shooting proved costly, allowing the Knicks to seize the momentum.
In contrast, New York found success from beyond the arc, hitting 17-of-37 attempts. Brunson and OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 29 points each, while Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart contributed valuable support with 14 points apiece. The balanced scoring attack was instrumental in shifting the tide of the game.
The outcome resonated with Knicks fans, who celebrated the triumph on social media and expressed optimism about the team’s chances in the playoff series against the defending champions. With this win, New York has not only broken the Celtics’ streak of home playoff victories but also made a significant statement in the postseason landscape.
This loss marked a rare setback for Boston, who had not dropped a home playoff game since the previous season’s second round. Additionally, it’s the first time the Celtics have trailed in a playoff series since their defeat to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals during the 2022-23 season.
For the Knicks, the achievement signals a major step forward, but the road ahead remains challenging. The franchise has not advanced past the second round of the playoffs since the 1999-2000 season, and defeating the Celtics, a team with championship aspirations, will require sustained excellence.
As the series progresses, the Knicks will look to build on this momentum, hoping to carve out a path toward playoff success and further diminish the Celtics’ championship hopes. The resilience displayed in this game might just be the spark needed to foster a deeper playoff run.