- The New York Knicks shocked the Boston Celtics with a 91-90 win in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals
- Tom Thibodeau’s team erased a 20-point deficit for the second straight game, taking a 2-0 series lead
- Josh Hart led the Knicks with 23 points, while Derrick White and Jaylen Brown each scored 20 for Boston
Key Takeaways:
The New York Knicks once again showed tremendous character in the second round of the NBA playoffs. Tom Thibodeau’s team shocked the Boston Celtics with a 91-90 victory in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The matchup at TD Garden mirrored the first game, where the Knicks had to overcome a 20-point deficit to once again bring Joe Mazzulla’s players to their knees.
Derrick White and Jaylen Brown played crucial roles in the Celtics’ strong start, helping them build a comfortable double-digit lead. By the end of the first quarter, the Knicks struggled to find a way out of their tough situation, and the Celtics surged ahead by 11 points.
KNICKS' COMEBACKS VS. CELTICS THIS SERIES HAVE BEEN UNREAL 😱
IT'S NOT OVER TILL IT'S OVER 🍿 pic.twitter.com/1hqITPNuhX
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 8, 2025
A spark from Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart helped the Knicks regain some composure in the second quarter. However, their hopes were repeatedly dashed by White and Brown, allowing the reigning champions to head into the locker room with a 50-41 lead.
Boston showed no signs of slowing down in the second half, extending their lead to the coveted 20-point mark with contributions from Jayson Tatum, White, and Brown. At that point, Hart was the only consistent offensive option for New York, and the Celtics maintained a 12-point advantage heading into the final period.
Nothing suggested another memorable comeback at the start of the fourth quarter. Gradually, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Hart, and Towns led the Knicks on a final surge, taking a three-point lead with 57 seconds remaining. Tatum responded, and with 19 seconds left, Boston reclaimed the lead by one point. On the ensuing possession, Brunson calmly made his free throws, and moments later, Bridges stole the ball from Tatum at the buzzer, sealing the win.
Josh Hart led New York with 23 points and six rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 21 points and 17 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson finished with 17 points and seven assists. Mikal Bridges contributed 14 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
Jaylen Brown (six rebounds) and Derrick White (nine rebounds and five assists) responded with 20 points each for Boston. Jayson Tatum posted 13 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists, while Jrue Holiday finished with 10 points and five assists.