"BREAKING: Jalen Brunson’s 29 Points, Mikal Bridges’ Last-Second Theft Give New York Knicks Stunning OT Win Over Boston Celtics 108-105; Knicks Overcome 20-Point Deficit in Game 1 of Eastern Conference Semi-finals"
Knicks-Rockets Rivalry Renewed as NYK Stuns Celtics in OT thriller
The New York Knicks, with Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby each dropping 29 points, pulled off a shocking 108-105 overtime victory against the defending champion Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals series.
From 20 Points Down to Upset Victory
The Knicks, who lost all four regular-season games to their longtime rivals, found themselves trailing by 20 in the second half on Monday. But Brunson and Anunoby led a comeback that saw New York chipping away at Boston’s lead, eventually forcing overtime. “We told each other just keep believing. Just keep fighting and sticking together, and keep chipping away. There wasn’t going to be a 20-point shot,” Brunson said.
Celtics’ Three-Point Woes
Meanwhile, the Celtics missed a playoff-record 45 three-point attempts, squandering a game they seemed to have under control. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown scored 23 points each, but Boston couldn’t find their stroke from deep, finishing just 15 for 60 from beyond the arc.
Tip: From the arc
The Celtics’ 15-for-60 three-point shooting, including 1-for-10 from Brown, was uncharacteristic. But don’t write off their perimeter game just yet. In the regular season, Boston ranked 8th in three-point percentage (36.8%) and 5th in three-pointers made per game (13.5).
Injury Bug Bites Celtics
Krisitaps Porzingis played only 13 minutes for the Celtics due to illness, and coach Joe Mazzulla admitted his absence was felt. “Obviously it impacts the game with [Porzingis’s] ability at both ends of the floor. Hopefully he’s ready for Game 2,” Mazzulla said.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What does this surprised win mean for the Knicks?
- A: It provides a much-needed psychological boost for the Knicks, who struggled against the Celtics during the regular season. It also gives them a 1-0 lead in the series.
- Q: Can the Celtics bounce back from this loss?
- A: Absolutely. They’ve shown they can play at a high level. They just need to find their shooting touch and iron out their defensive lapses.
Looking Ahead
Game 2 is set for Wednesday in Boston. Can the Knicks capitalize on their upset win, or will the Celtics bounce back? Stay tuned.
Did you know? Since 2010, 80% of series that start with a Game 1 upset end up with the higher-seeded team winning the series.