The Knicks displayed impressive dominance on the boards during their game on Monday night.
In Game 4, they really showcased their rebounding strength, finishing with a significant edge against the defending champion Celtics.
With a final score of 121-113, the Knicks out-rebounded Boston by 12, limiting them to just seven offensive rebounds.
They managed to turn 13 offensive rebounds into 15 second-chance points, with Mitchell Robinson playing a pivotal role, grabbing five of those offensive boards in just 25 minutes.
“When you face him, you get a sense of his value to the team,” noted Karl Anthony Towns. “And when you play alongside him, you truly see the size and impact he has on the game. He delivered what we needed tonight and was exceptional.”
Towns also contributed significantly on the boards, leading the team with 11 rebounds, eight of which were on the defensive end. Other Knicks made solid contributions, too—Josh Hart recorded seven defensive rebounds, while Mikal Bridges added six.
“They’re the defending champions and have some of the best talent in the league,” Towns remarked. “We focused on ensuring they only got one attempt at each shot and limited their second-chance opportunities.”
The Celtics managed just nine second-chance points, marking their lowest total of the series.
OG Anunoby was forced to leave the game in the first quarter, heading to the locker room due to hamstring issues, although he still managed to score 20 points in 40 minutes. He later noted that his hamstring felt “strange,” but he was otherwise fine.
Jalen Brunson stepped up, scoring 30 points in what is now his 17th playoff game. He’s also become the ninth Knick to hit the milestone of 1,000 playoff points.
For the Celtics, things were tough: after making 32 three-pointers on 64 tries over the last six quarters, they ended up going 24-6 in the second half. Meanwhile, Celtics forward Sam Hauser remained sidelined due to a sprained right ankle, missing his third consecutive game.
