There’s some frustration this Thursday morning as the reigning NBA champions, the Celtics, have fallen to the New York Knicks with a 0-2 record. Not only have they struggled in these games, but they’ve also set an unfortunate precedent in the process.
In Game 1, the Celtics had a strong hold on the game, leading 75-55 with 5:47 remaining in the third quarter. It looked like they were on their way to victory, propelled by their star players, Jason Tatum and Jalen Brown. However, Jalen Brunson surged back in the second half, scoring 16 points, while OG Anunoby also stepped up, eventually pushing the game into overtime where they secured the win.
This had to be an anomaly, right? But then it happened again. On Wednesday, the Celtics led 70-50 with 4:05 left in the third quarter—a strikingly similar collapse as in Game 1. This time, Mikal Bridges scored 14 points in the fourth, helping the Knicks snag a 91-90 win.
If the Celtics hope to reclaim their championship title, they need to address these issues. Losing consecutive games at home is particularly disheartening. Now they must head to Madison Square Garden, where things won’t be easy. If they struggle to motivate their crowd while facing a deficit, it’s hard to see how they’ll manage in a challenging atmosphere like New York’s.
