Boston, MA — The Knicks have grown used to falling behind early against the Celtics this season — but in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, they finally flipped the script.
Despite trailing by 20 points in the second half, New York stormed back and stunned the defending NBA champions with a dramatic 108-105 overtime victory on Monday night.
Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby led the way with 29 points apiece. Karl-Anthony Towns added a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. But it was Mikal Bridges who sealed the win, stealing the ball from Jaylen Brown in the final second of overtime.
“We told each other just keep believing, keep fighting, and stick together,” Brunson said. “There’s no such thing as a 20-point shot.”
The Celtics were led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who each scored 23 points. Derrick White contributed 19 points and 11 rebounds. However, Boston’s cold shooting from deep — a playoff-record 45 missed 3-pointers — ultimately cost them. They finished just 15-for-60 from beyond the arc, including a staggering 10-for-37 in the second half and overtime.
Brown acknowledged the team’s poor shot selection during New York’s comeback: “In those spots where they have momentum, we can’t just fire up 3s. I felt like we just settled.”
Jrue Holiday returned to Boston’s starting lineup after missing three games with a hamstring injury and scored 16 points in 39 minutes. But center Kristaps Porzingis played only 13 minutes due to illness and did not return after halftime.
“Of course it impacts the game,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said of Porzingis’ absence. “But it’s no excuse. We had plenty of opportunities… Hopefully he’s ready for Game 2.”
The Knicks surged ahead in overtime with a three-point play by Anunoby and a 3-pointer from Bridges to take a 106-100 lead. Brown hit a 3 — his only make in 10 attempts — to cut it to 108-105. After both teams missed opportunities, the Celtics had a chance to tie with three seconds left, but Bridges stripped the inbounds pass from Brown to end it.
Boston’s collapse was dramatic. After leading 75-55 midway through the third, the Knicks went on a 20-9 run to close the gap. They opened the fourth quarter with eight straight points, tying the game at 86 after Anunoby’s steal and dunk.
The final minutes of regulation were a back-and-forth affair. A 3-pointer by White put Boston up 98-97 before Anunoby responded from deep. Holiday tied it again with a layup, and Brunson had a chance to win it late but missed a short bank shot. Tatum’s contested buzzer-beater also came up short, sending the game to overtime.
While the win was impressive, Brunson said the Knicks aren’t getting ahead of themselves.
“There’s no blueprint,” he said. “But as long as we stick together, anything is possible.”
Game 2 is Wednesday night in Boston.
