The New York Knicks disrupt the reigning champion Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference playoff series.
Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby each scored 29 points, with the visiting New York Knicks earning a 108-105 overtime victory with the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semi-final playoff series.
The Knicks overcame a 20-point deficit in the third quarter Monday night, sealing the victory when Mikal Bridge stole the ball from Jalen Brown after Boston inbounded the ball in three seconds.
“This team was playing all year round and it was a pretty good road team,” Knicks manager Tom Thibodeau said. “It’s one game. There are a lot of emotional highs and lows in the playoffs, but you have to keep moving forward no matter what happens.”
In the fourth quarter, Branson tied the game with a 3-pointer at 89, giving the Knicks a second lead after tying two free throws at 91. His three-pointer played up 94-91 at 4:07, and the third triple of that period extended New York’s advantage to six points, while Boston took a 98-97 lead with a 7-0 run.
It was 100-100 when Branson missed a layup with two seconds left. After a timeout, Jason Tatum missed 21 footer on the buzzer. I worked overtime for the game. There, Anunoby’s dunk and foul shot and a three-pointer on Bridge gave the Knicks the cushion they needed to finish their comeback.
“Your defense, your toughness, your teamwork – I think that’s the most important thing in the playoff game,” Thibodeau said.
Karl-Anthony Towns had been in foul trouble for most of the game, but had 14 points and 13 rebounds in 31 minutes. Josh Hart had 14 points and 11 boards, while Bridge had eight points, seven assists, six rebounds and three steels, playing 51 of the 53 minutes.
Brown and Tatum were each pitched with Boston’s team high 23 points. Tatum also had 16 rebounds, while Derrick White had 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Kristaps Porzingis was scoreless in the first 13 minutes and didn’t play in the last two quarters in what the Celtics called “illness.” Boston’s Samhauser also went to the locker room with an ankle injury with 28.5 seconds remaining in the third quarter and did not return to the game.
“Obviously, it affects the game with (Porzingis’) abilities on both ends of the floor. Hopefully he’s ready for Game 2,” Celtics manager Joe Mazzola said.
Boston led 26-25 after a quarter, surpassing New York in the second quarter 15 times, earning a 61-45 halftime lead. The Celtics scored their final eight points in the first half. The Knicks were eight-in-19th from the half’s free throw line.
Town was asked for his fourth foul and went to the bench in the third quarter with 7:07 left, but the Knicks ran strong without him. New York was within six points, but Al Horford scored three pointers in the quarter with 6.2 seconds remaining, giving the Celtics an 84-75 lead in fourth place.
“We kept some of their good shooters open so there were some personnel there and they were able to move after some of our mistakes,” Madsoula said of the Knicks’ comeback. “The details we need to make it better.”
Game 2 of the Top 7 Series will take place in Boston on Wednesday.
“The biggest challenge (IS) of the playoffs is to deal with playoff emotions,” warned Thibodeau. “If you feel too good about yourself, you’re not ready for Game 2.”