New York was on the road in Boston on Monday night for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals. During the 2024-25 regular season, the Knicks were 0-4 with the Celtics.
The Knicks fell 20 points midway through the third quarter on Monday. A timeout was called from Tom Thibodeau and New York flipped the switch. Boston was getting colder and the Knicks began to revive. Eventually, New York tied the game and forced the OT. With 3 seconds left in the OT, Boston had the opportunity to tie the game into three. However, the Celtics involved the ball in Jalen Brown and were then stolen by Knicks’ Mikal Bridge. His defensive efforts sealed the Knicks’ victory in Game 1.
The Knicks stole Game 1, 108-105 on OT on Monday night
Mikal Bridge steals to seal Game 1 for the Knicks!!
Complete 20-point comeback ✅ pic.twitter.com/us3nq0dykx
-NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2025
In the third and fourth quarters, the Knicks outperformed the Celtics 55-39. That’s how New York was able to complete a 20-point comeback. The Knicks never gave up on Monday evening and remained focused on their goals. New York did what it takes for a comeback and they got some special help from the Celtics. Boston was 15-60 over the arc. Their 60-tried three are the new NBA playoff records.
Plus, Boston missed a postseason record 45 threes in one game. The credit comes from the Knicks who didn’t give up when they fell 20 points in the second half. The Knicks began to claw as the Celtics got colder in the second half. They had just 9 points down by the fourth start. Jalen Brunson was the clutch in New York’s fourth quarter. Branson has slammed a pair of three-pointers to give the Knicks their first lead since the second quarter.
New York gathered in the second half and sent the game to OT. The Knicks rose 108-105 with three seconds left. Boston had plenty of time to suck the ball and get off the clean look. The Celtics managed to get the ball to Jalen Brown. However, the Knicks’ Mikal Bridge teared the ball from Brown’s hand and didn’t let Boston shoot the shot. New York stole Game 1 in Boston thanks to Bridges’ outstanding defense on final ownership. Game 2 is Wednesday at 7pm EST.