In a heart-wrenching turn of events at TD Garden on May 7, 2025, the Boston Celtics suffered a devastating 91-90 defeat to the New York Knicks, falling 0-2 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The game, marked by a stunning collapse, saw the Celtics squander a commanding 20-point lead in the third quarter, echoing a similar meltdown in Game 1.
With just over three minutes left in the third, Boston’s offense faltered, managing only one field goal—a dramatic coast-to-coast dunk by Jayson Tatum—in the final eight minutes.
The Knicks seized the moment, with Jalen Brunson’s clutch free throws and Mikal Bridges’ game-sealing block on Tatum’s last-second shot sealing Boston’s fate.
This loss, steeped in frustration, has raised questions about the Celtics’ resilience as they face an uphill battle in a series where history offers little hope: of the 18 best-of-seven series where Boston dropped the first two games, they lost 16.
The game began with promise, as the Celtics adjusted their strategy following criticism of their three-point-heavy approach in Game 1, where they set NBA playoff records for attempts (60) and misses (45).
Early on, Boston emphasized drives to the basket, with Jrue Holiday scoring on layups and Al Horford capitalizing on a putback. Jaylen Brown, aggressive from the start, took five of his seven first-quarter shots within eight feet, though a bold attempt to dunk over Brunson resulted in an offensive foul.
Despite their 3-point struggles—shooting just 23.8% from deep in the first half—Boston’s defense shone, stifling the Knicks’ offense and limiting Brunson to seven points before halftime.
Brown’s 17 points and Tatum’s nine rebounds powered the Celtics to a 50-41 lead at the break, setting the stage for what seemed like a commanding performance.
The third quarter saw Boston’s momentum peak, sparked by Derrick White’s defensive hustle, including a charge that negated an OG Anunoby dunk.
This ignited an 11-2 run, with White and Luke Kornet attacking the rim and Brown draining a three, pushing the lead to 68-50. Coach Joe Mazzulla’s decision to reinsert Kristaps Porzingis, despite his earlier fatigue from an illness, paid dividends.
Porzingis, playing limited minutes off the bench, delivered a three-pointer and an and-one dunk, energizing the crowd. Payton Pritchard’s back-to-back threes extended the lead to 84-68 with 8:40 left, and victory seemed within reach. But then, inexplicably, Boston’s offense vanished, unable to find rhythm or answers as the Knicks mounted their comeback, exposing vulnerabilities that have haunted the Celtics in this series.
Individual performances painted a mixed picture. Brown and White led with 20 points each, but Brown’s impact faded after halftime, with only three points in the second half. Tatum, struggling mightily, shot 5-for-19 and 1-for-5 from three, finishing with 13 points in a performance that underscored Boston’s offensive woes.
Porzingis, limited to 14 minutes, contributed eight points and four rebounds but was a team-worst minus-9. The Celtics’ overall shooting was dismal at 36.2%, with a 10-for-40 mark from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, the Knicks capitalized on Boston’s collapse, with Brunson’s late-game heroics proving decisive.
This loss, following a similar 20-point blown lead in Game 1, has placed the Celtics in a precarious position, with their postseason aspirations hanging in the balance.The broader implications of this defeat loom large.
The Celtics’ inability to close out games, coupled with their reliance on a faltering three-point strategy, has drawn scrutiny. Mazzulla’s adjustments showed early promise, but the team’s late-game execution faltered under pressure. As Boston prepares for Game 3, the weight of history—16 series losses after dropping the first two games—adds urgency to their response. Fans and analysts alike are left wondering if this talented roster can rediscover the poise that made them champions in 2024.
For now, the TD Garden faithful are left to process a second straight collapse, hoping their team can channel this setback into a defiant comeback on the road, where the stakes could not be higher.