New York Stuns Boston 91-90 in Recreation 2 Thriller Behind Hart, Cities, and Brunson
The New York Knicks pulled off one other gorgeous 20-point comeback to defeat the Boston Celtics 91-90 in Recreation 2 of their second-round NBA Playoff matchup on Might 7, 2025. The sport, held at TD Backyard in Boston, noticed the Knicks surge late to grab victory and take a commanding 2-0 lead within the Japanese Convention Semifinals.
Down However By no means Out: Knicks Rally Once more
For the second recreation in a row, the Knicks discovered themselves trailing by 20 factors, solely to storm again and silence the Boston crowd. New York outscored the Celtics 30-17 within the fourth quarter. They had been fueled by a 23-6 run that flipped the script and left TD Backyard shocked. Now, the Knicks head residence up 2-0.
The win was sealed by Jalen Brunson. He calmly knocked down two clutch free throws with 12.7 seconds remaining. Moments later, Mikal Bridges made a essential steal that prevented Boston from getting off a possible game-winning shot.
In consequence, the Knicks have a repute for comebacks and clutch wins in 2025.
Key Performances Energy the Knicks
Josh Hart led all scorers with 23 factors, whereas Karl-Anthony Cities dominated inside with 21 factors and 17 rebounds. Jalen Brunson added 17 factors and seven assists, showcasing poise within the clutch. However it was Mikal Bridges’ 14-point explosion within the fourth quarter that actually swung the momentum, together with the game-sealing defensive play.
“It’s about coronary heart,” Hart stated postgame. “We by no means stopped believing. We’ve received canines on this staff.” That is the second straight recreation, following Recreation 1, the place the Knicks did this.
If the Knicks hold this stage of play going, they’re headed to the Japanese Convention Finals. It’s been twenty-five years because the Knicks made it that far. In 2000, they met the Indiana Pacers there and misplaced to them. The irony is that if the present Pacers hold their sturdy play up, they too are going to the Convention Finals.
So, if the Knicks, together with the Pacers, stay scrappy underdogs, a historic rivalry is renewed.
Tatum Struggles as Celtics Collapse Late
The Celtics had been in management early, constructing a lead that ballooned to twenty factors because of stable first-half contributions from Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, who completed with 20 factors every. Nevertheless, Jayson Tatum endured a chilly capturing evening, scoring simply 13 factors on 5-of-19 capturing and lacking 13 straight pictures within the fourth quarter.
Regardless of out-rebounding the Knicks 51-46 and holding a 17-15 edge in assists, Boston shot simply 36.2% from the sphere and a woeful 25% from three-point vary (10-of-40). Their fourth-quarter woes proved expensive as New York surged late.
That is the second straight recreation, on this sequence, the place the Celtics blew a 20-point lead.
Recreation Stats Snapshot:
| Staff | FG% | 3P% | FT% | AST | STL | BLK | TO | REB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NYK | 43.0 | 29.0 | 80.0 | 19 | 11 | 5 | 15 | 46 |
| BOS | 36.2 | 25.0 | 80.0 | 17 | 9 | 5 | 16 | 51 |
Quarter Breakdown:
| Quarter | NYK | BOS |
| 1st | 13 | 24 |
| 2nd | 28 | 26 |
| third | 20 | 23 |
| 4th | 30 | 17 |
| Closing | 91 | 90 |
Collection Outlook: Knicks in Command
With the win, the Knicks are actually up 2-0 within the best-of-seven sequence, with the subsequent two video games scheduled at Madison Sq. Backyard. Historic information suggests groups that win the primary two video games on the street go on to win the sequence 85.7% of the time. Recreation 3 ideas off on Might 10, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. ET and might be broadcast on ABC.
It’s typically stated that an NBA Playoff sequence doesn’t start till a staff loses at residence. However having a look on the second spherical of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the house groups are having bother successful. Whereas Oklahoma Metropolis put an emphatic win down at residence over the Nuggets, Tyrese Haliburton broke Cleveland’s coronary heart. Then, within the different West matchup, the Warriors took a commanding Recreation 1 win, vs. Minnesota, however misplaced Steph Curry.
Media and Fan Reactions
Social media exploded after the sport. @BleacherReport posted the “Closing Sequence” video with the caption “Again-to-back 20-point comeback Ws for the Knicks!” whereas @barstoolsports famous the Knicks’ 23-6 closing run. @awfulannouncing shared the Celtics’ radio name because the staff fell aside in crunch time.
Former NBA stars additionally weighed in. Paul Pierce, who earlier claimed he’d stroll 15 miles barefoot if the Celtics misplaced, grew to become a viral meme postgame. JR Smith tweeted “Mikal is HIM” after the guard’s heroic remaining minutes.
What Went Mistaken for Boston?
Whereas Boston dominated the common season sequence, sweeping the Knicks 4-0, the playoffs have advised a unique story. Within the common season, the Celtics averaged 130.2 factors per 100 possessions in opposition to New York, however they’ve failed to succeed in the 100-point mark in both playoff recreation.
The Celtics’ incapability to shut out video games and lack of execution below stress have shifted the momentum firmly in New York’s favor. Head coach Joe Mazzulla will face mounting stress to regulate because the sequence heads to Manhattan.
Knicks Making Historical past
This marks simply the second time in NBA historical past {that a} staff has come again from 20 factors down in back-to-back playoff video games. The Knicks’ defensive depth, fourth-quarter poise, and depth have been difference-makers.
“It’s about resilience,” head coach Tom Thibodeau stated. “This group doesn’t stop. They defend, they hustle, they play for one another.”
Trying Forward
Recreation 3 might be a must-win for Boston to maintain the sequence aggressive. However with the Knicks now using excessive off two inconceivable wins, Madison Sq. Backyard is bound to be electrical. It has been a very long time because the Knicks performed with a possibility to succeed in the Convention Finals. Moreover, the Knicks wish to avenge themselves from final season. If momentum carries, the Knicks have the Pacers within the Convention Finals. After all, so much can occur between then and now, because the sequence shifts.
So, the Knicks are solely centered on Recreation 3. In the event that they get that win, they’re one win away from dethroning the defending NBA champions.
Count on extra fireworks, extra grit, and maybe one other chapter in what’s shortly turning into a playoff sequence for the ages.
