NEW YORK – Madison Square Garden echoed with the sounds of history Monday night as the New York Knicks erased a 14-point deficit to defeat the defending champion Boston Celtics 121-113, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
The victory marks the third time in this series the Knicks have overcome substantial second-half deficits against Boston, putting them just one win away from their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years.
“It’s the way we responded that I’m the most proud of,” said Jalen Brunson, who finished with 39 points and 12 assists in another masterful performance.
Second-Half Surge
Trailing by 11 at halftime after Boston connected on 12 three-pointers in the first half, the Knicks saw their deficit grow to 14 early in the third quarter. The atmosphere in Madison Square Garden had grown tense until Brunson ignited a remarkable turnaround.
Following a timeout, Brunson hit a three-pointer and scored on a drive, sparking what would become a decisive 21-8 run to close the quarter. The Knicks entered the fourth with both momentum and the lead.
“Honestly, do we all expect anything less?” Karl-Anthony Towns said of Brunson’s performance.
Villanova Connection Seals Victory
Tied at 102-102 midway through the final quarter, the Knicks pulled away with a decisive 14-2 run. Former Villanova teammates Brunson and Mikal Bridges combined for nine points during the crucial stretch.
Bridges, who contributed 23 points including 10 in the fourth quarter, along with seven rebounds and four steals, proved essential in the closing minutes. Towns added 23 points and 11 rebounds, while OG Anunoby broke out of his scoring slump with 20 points.
“It takes a whole team to beat them,” Towns emphasized.
Injury Concerns for Boston
The night took a concerning turn for Boston when superstar Jayson Tatum suffered what appeared to be a non-contact lower leg injury late in the fourth quarter. Tatum, who had scored 42 points with seven three-pointers, was helped off the court and later seen in a wheelchair in the tunnel.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed Tatum will undergo an MRI on Tuesday, though the injury appeared to involve his Achilles tendon.
“We’ll know tomorrow exactly what it is, but it’s tough to watch a guy like him get carried off,” Mazzulla said.
UPDATE: Jayson Tatum today underwent successful surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon. No timetable is currently available for his return, but he is expected to make a full recovery. Further updates will be provided by the Boston Celtics when appropriate.
Looking Ahead
As chants of “Knicks in five” filled Madison Square Garden in the closing seconds, the team remained focused on the challenge ahead. They can close out the series Wednesday night at TD Garden in Boston.
“The toughest game is the game to end someone’s season,” Towns cautioned. “To close out the series, you have to execute at the highest level possible, and that’s what’s going to be needed if we expect ourselves to be moving to the next round.”
For a franchise that hasn’t reached the NBA Finals since 1999, the Garden faithful are allowing themselves to dream big again, as Tom Thibodeau’s resilient squad continues to defy expectations against the defending champions.