In a game that began as a nightmare and ended as a statement, the New York Knicks clawed back from a 20-point second-half deficit to shock the defending champion Boston Celtics, 108-105 in overtime, in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Monday night.
Led by Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, who each scored 29 points, the Knicks overcame a sluggish start and a raucous TD Garden crowd, erasing a 75-55 deficit midway through the third quarter. The win marked their first over the Celtics this season after being swept in all four regular season meetings.
The Celtics, who appeared in full control for most of the night, unraveled under a barrage of missed 3-pointers — setting an NBA playoff record with 45 missed attempts from beyond the arc (15-of-60 overall). Boston took 49 shots in the second half and overtime; 37 of them were 3-pointers. They made only 10.
Despite that inefficiency, the game still came down to the final possession. After Josh Hart missed a 3 that could’ve sealed it, Boston got the ball back with 3 seconds left following a timeout. But as Jaylen Brown went to receive the inbounds pass, Knicks forward Mikal Bridges ripped it away with one second left, preserving New York’s comeback victory and sending the Knicks’ bench into jubilation.
Mikal Bridges, who had been relatively quiet offensively, delivered the decisive steal and also hit a crucial 3-pointer in overtime after Anunoby opened the extra frame with a three-point play to give New York a 106-100 lead.
Boston’s stars were solid but not spectacular. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each finished with 23 points, while Derrick White added 19 points and 11 rebounds. Jrue Holiday, back in the starting lineup after missing three games with a hamstring injury, tallied 16 points in 39 minutes. Brown struggled from deep, hitting just 1-of-10 from long range — his only make coming in the final minute of overtime to cut the deficit to 108-105.
The Celtics were dealt an early blow when center Kristaps Porzingis, facing his former team, played just 13 minutes and didn’t return after halftime due to illness. Head coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged after the game that Porzingis’ absence changed Boston’s defensive and offensive approach.
New York, meanwhile, got a complete effort from its stars. In addition to Brunson and Anunoby’s 29 apiece, Karl-Anthony Towns posted a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. The Knicks used a 20-9 run to close the third quarter and then opened the fourth with an 8-0 burst to tie the game at 84.
A steal and dunk by Anunoby knotted the game at 86, and from there it was a back-and-forth battle. After multiple lead changes, New York led 97-95 late before Derrick White hit a go-ahead corner 3 with 2:15 left. Anunoby answered with a three of his own, only to see Holiday tie it again with a layup.
The Knicks had a chance to win in regulation after Brunson missed a short bank shot off a give-and-go from Towns. Boston had one last play with 0.6 seconds left, but Tatum’s contested baseline jumper missed at the buzzer, sending the game to overtime.
The win is a massive momentum swing for the Knicks, who not only beat the Celtics for the first time this year but did so in stunning fashion in their building. Game 2 is Wednesday night in Boston.
Game 1 Summary:
- Knicks: Brunson – 29 pts, Anunoby – 29 pts, Towns – 14 pts, 13 reb
- Celtics: Tatum – 23 pts, Brown – 23 pts (1-10 3PT), White – 19 pts, 11 reb, Holiday – 16 pts
- Key Stat: Boston shot 15-of-60 from 3-point range (25%)
- Final Play: Mikal Bridges steals inbounds pass from Jaylen Brown with 1 second left in OT
Can the Celtics bounce back in Game 2, or has New York cracked the code?
