The Boston Celtics are facing elimination after what many expected to be a straightforward series for them.
They squandered two significant leads of 20 points and another of 14, now trailing the New York Knicks 3-1 in their playoff series.
Adding to their woes, Jason Tatum suffered an Achilles injury during the final minutes of Game 4.
It’s a tough spot for Boston, but Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, who had predicted a Celtics victory after Game 3, is clutching onto his fandom in hopes of a turnaround.
Portnoy mentioned he spotted Knicks player Mikal Bridges at a hotel in Boston before Game 5 and had a light-hearted exchange.
“I saw Mikal at the hotel this morning and gave him a friendly warning, ‘Hey, don’t break your wrist,’” he recounted. “It was just a joke,” Portnoy added, noting their casual encounter.
Bridges, along with teammates like Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, form part of the so-called “Nova Knicks,” all of whom share a championship history at Villanova.
In their first two games, the Knicks managed to rally from 20-point deficits, with Bridges playing a crucial role by securing a game-winning steal in Game 1 and blocking a potential buzzer-beater in Game 2.
However, the Celtics held onto their lead in Game 3, causing some to wonder if the Knicks’ series momentum was fleeting. In Game 4, the Knicks once again appeared to struggle, trailing by double digits before rallying back with a strong third quarter.
They ended the game with impressive runs to seal their lead after Tatum’s injury added to the Celtics’ challenges.
If the Knicks manage to eliminate the reigning champions, it will mark their first appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals since 2000.
