After stealing homecourt in Game 1, the Knicks knew the Celtics would come out swinging Wednesday night. And they did. Boston built a massive 20-point lead, but somehow managed to blow it again and lose the game.
The series now stands at a shocking 2-0 in New York’s favor.
Players credited their team’s ability to seize momentum in the second half, finding creative ways to take down the reigning NBA champions. With just 14 minutes left to play, the Manhattan club rallied once again to win by a single point.
“Just finding ways to win,” said Mikal Bridges, who went completely scoreless through the first three quarters before coming alive when it mattered most.
Bridges caught fire in the fourth quarter, hitting 6 of 10 shots and scoring all 14 of his points when his team desperately needed him.
Josh Hart led the Knicks with 23 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns dominated with 21 points and 17 rebounds.
Jalen Brunson, who added 17 points of his own, knows the challenge ahead as the series shifts to New York. “Going home, we realize the opportunity we have. We just have to stay locked in,” he said after the win in Boston.
Here’s what’s crazy – the Knicks didn’t take their first lead until just four minutes remained in the game.
In fact, across both games in Boston, they’ve only led for a total of 12 minutes. Yet somehow, they’re heading home with a 2-0 series advantage.
“They made every play,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla admitted about the Knicks. “I thought we generated some good looks and then I thought we had some live-ball turnovers and they took advantage of it, so they made the necessary plays to win.”
Jaylen Brown knows he disappeared when Boston needed him most. Despite scoring 20 points, he shot a miserable 1-for-7 in the second half.
“(It’s) a bunch of stuff that we can control,” Brown said after the game. “I feel like we played a little bit fast and sped up a little antsy. Just it’s a rough night.”
