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The National Basketball Association will not have a repeat champion for the seventh straight year. The New York Knicks dismantled the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics 118-91 in game six of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-final to put an inglorious end to what was hoped to be a history-making season for the league’s crown jewel franchise.
The thought of NBA title number 19 evaporated during the first two games of this best of seven series. After blowing a 20-point lead in a 108-105 game one loss, the Celtics duplicated the feat by giving up another 20-point lead in game two on their way to a 91-90 setback. The game two loss was the killer as it put the Celtics in the dubious position of having to win four of the remaining five games of the best of seven series — a rarity of historical proportion.
The glaring statistic of the game one loss was the Celtics’ abysmal three-point shooting. This team shot an NBA record 15-for-60 from three-point range, the worst in league playoff history. Game two produced a 10-for-40 performance from behind the three-point arc, making the Celtics 25-for-100 on their home court for the first two games of this series.
A glimmer of hope emerged in game three, as the Celtics came out gunning and hitting shots from both three- and two-point range. They blasted the home team, the Knicks, 115-93, before a stunned sellout crowd at Madison Square Garden. This win set the stage for the all-important game four. A Celtics win would even the series at 2-2 and return the home court advantage to the men in green.
The Celtics gained an 11-point advantage in the second quarter behind the red-hot shooting of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and company.
The Knicks responded in the third quarter to take a three-point advantage in the final stanza. Sparking the New York run was a pressure defense and hot shooting by small forward Mikal Bridges and guard Jalen Brunson.
Luke Kornet and Jrue Holiday try to stop the Knicks’ Mikal Bridges. PHOTO: BRAD PENNER
The nip and tuck battle came down to the final five minutes of play. Tatum’s 42-point shooting kept the Celtics close before the Knicks forged ahead.
Tatum’s season and the future of the Boston franchise took a significant hit when he ruptured his right Achilles tendon diving for a loose ball at the 3:07 mark of the fourth quarter. The Knicks won the game 121-113 and took a 3-1 lead in the series.
The Celts exhibited a momentary glimpse of championship mettle by winning game five, 127-102, at the TD Garden, setting the stage for the drama of game six at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks used a second-quarter explosion to take complete command of the contest and never looked back. They continued to pour on the pressure, both defensively and offensively, and never allowed the Celtics a moment to think that they had any chance of winning this game. With the sellout crowd calling for blood, the home team kept running the score up.
By the time it was over, the final score did not indicate the true level of embarrassment that the Knicks put on the Celtics in handing this team its worst playoff setback in franchise history, while elevating themselves to their first appearance in an NBA conference championship series in 25 years. Four Knicks, Jalen Brunson, Karl Anthony-Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby scored 20 points for the winners.
The Celtics’ management needs to address several major questions in the offseason.
The top concern is Jayson Tatum’s status. He had surgery to repair his damaged Achilles tendon in New York just hours after the devastating blow and will need between six months and a year to recover. The man, considered the Franchise,” is facing a difficult rehab from the injury.
Two other superstars, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, suffered similar injuries. During game five of the 2019 NBA Finals, Durant was sidelined by a ruptured Achilles tendon. He recovered in 18 months and returned to the court. Thompson took two years to regain his form and return to the NBA.
Tatum’s plight is just one of several issues that need work; the team might have to shave its payroll.
Injury-plagued Krystaps Porzingis, who suffered a debilitating virus that limited his availability during the later stages of the regular season and the playoffs, may need to be jettisoned. The status of 34-year-old Jrue Holiday, who came to the Celtics along with Porzingis via trade and played a key role in the team’s march to NBA title number 18, could be let go as well — a move that would be frowned upon by many Celtics followers. Holiday’s age and salary are obstacles, but he must be given major kudos for playing with a badly damaged shoulder that will likely require surgery.
Another key factor to consider is Jaylen Brown’s knee injury. Depending on the seriousness of his injury and the rest, it requires, the Celtics management faces major questions and concerns for the future of this franchise.
It is going to be an interesting off-season for the team. The 2025 campaign started with high expectations and dreams of NBA title flag number 19 but ended with an ignominious end against the underdog N.Y. Knicks. This defeat was especially tough because New York was a team the Celtics beat four times during the regular season. With the prospect of a major rebuilding project, the team’s fans have much to be concerned about. Stay tuned.
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