NBA Playoffs: Knicks surprise Celtics, overcome 20-point deficit to take Game 1

Knicks Stun Celtics in Overtime Thriller

The New York Knicks pulled off a surprising win against the Boston Celtics in their playoff opener on Monday night in what turned out to be quite a dramatic game.

Despite being down by 20 points, the Knicks fought back to force overtime and ultimately triumphed 108-105. Boston struggled significantly, missing an astonishing 45 shots throughout the game.

Jalen Brunson had already made headlines in the previous round, and he stepped up again in this game. With just seconds left on the clock, a perfectly timed pass led him to score, setting the stage for an exciting finish.

However, not every shot went the way the Knicks hoped—Brunson’s attempts to seal the victory in regulation hit the rim and didn’t go in, pushing the game into extra time.

During the fourth quarter, the Knicks capitalized on their growing momentum, outscoring the Celtics 25-18. OG Anunoby was instrumental, making crucial free throws and a three-pointer to help New York secure the chance for overtime.

After an intense back and forth, Brunson finished the game with 29 points, shooting 10 for 20, while also nailing 6 of 11 from beyond the arc. The Knicks extended their lead after Mikal Bridges sank a long three, creating a stirring atmosphere at TD Garden. Even as Jason Tatum managed to get the Celtics on the board in overtime, the Knicks maintained control, leading by six points with less than two minutes remaining.

Boston made a slight comeback after Jalen Brown finally hit a three-pointer, but they couldn’t muster enough to extend the game further. The Knicks defense, led by Bridges who played an impressive 51 minutes, included crucial blocks that kept Boston from capitalizing.

It’s worth noting that Boston, known for their shooting prowess from beyond the arc, struggled significantly, wrapping up the night with a mere 35.1% field goal rate. Tatum, usually reliable, only managed to hit 7 of 23 attempts, while Brown had a more efficient outing but faced challenges in this crucial matchup.