It’s a recreation that may reside on perpetually in Knicks playoff lore.
Down by 20 factors greater than halfway via the third quarter, the Knicks got here storming again in opposition to the defending champion Boston Celtics to steal Recreation 1, 108-105 in additional time, at TD Backyard.
Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges all delivered clutch heroics to go up 1-0 within the second-round playoff collection, whereas the closely favored Celtics set a doubtful postseason document.
However what does that imply shifting ahead?
Let’s unwrap the Knicks’ instant-classic win by the numbers.
51.6%
With Monday’s win, the third-seeded Knicks considerably elevated their odds of upsetting the second-seeded Celtics.
Because the NBA expanded to a 16-team playoff format in 1984, the groups that received Recreation 1 on the highway in a 2-2-1-1-1 collection went on to advance 51.6% of the time. Certainly, the groups that received Recreation 1 on the highway are 64-60 in these collection all time.
That basically quantities to a decide ‘em, however contemplating the Recreation 1 highway groups are sometimes underdogs within the collection, most would join these odds.
Conversely, the groups that received Recreation 1 at dwelling in a 2-2-1-1-1 format went 271-47 (85.2%) in these collection.
The Knicks’ odds would skyrocket in the event that they received Recreation 2 too. The groups that received Video games 1 and a couple of on the highway received 24 of these 28 collection, or 85.7%.
45
That’s what number of 3-pointers the Celtics missed in Recreation 1, setting an NBA playoff document.
They completed 15-of-60 (25.0%) on 3-point makes an attempt, in comparison with 19-of-37 (51.4%) on photographs contained in the arc.
Boston’s barrage of misses allowed the Knicks to climb again into the sport.
Within the third quarter, the Celtics tried 19 3-pointers, in comparison with just one — one! — 2-pointer. They shot 2-of-15 on 3-pointers, and 2-of-6 on 2-pointers, throughout a fourth quarter during which the Knicks outscored them, 25-16.
Jaylen Brown began 0-for-9 from 3-point vary earlier than he lastly made his last try in additional time.
Jayson Tatum went 4-of-15 and missed three 3-pointers within the last 1:39 of the fourth quarter, together with a contested stepback with 9.1 seconds left with the rating tied.
One fewer 3-point miss from the Celtics in regulation would have received them the sport.
“Probably some times where we settled,” Tatum stated, including, “I could’ve put more pressure on the rim, but a lot of times we felt like we got some really, really good looks and just couldn’t convert.”
The Knicks, in the meantime, shot 17-of-37 (45.9%) on 3-pointers.
1.7%
The Knicks had a 1.7% win chance with 5:47 left within the third quarter, in line with ESPN Analytics.
That was the second Derrick White made a 3-pointer to place Boston up 75-55.
From there, the Knicks unleashed a livid 31-11 run, tying the sport at 86-86 on the 7:26 mark of the fourth quarter.
Anunoby scored 15 factors throughout that run, together with three 3-pointers and the transition dunk off of his personal steal that tied the sport.
+8
Karl-Anthony Cities has taken some warmth for a number of quiet performances this postseason, however his +8 in Monday’s win was the very best level differential amongst Knicks starters.
Cities navigated foul hassle all through Monday’s recreation, limiting him to 31 minutes, however he completed with 14 factors on 6-of-13 taking pictures and led the Knicks with 13 rebounds.
His tip-in lay-up after a Brunson miss with 1:47 left in additional time was one of many larger photographs within the recreation, placing the Knicks up by six.
Even with stretches of restricted involvement, Cities made essentially the most of his possibilities.
19
That’s what number of occasions the Knicks set a ball-screen for Brunson that left Al Horford as his defender, in line with NBA.com, which cited Second Spectrum monitoring.
That mismatch led to 2 clutch baskets by Brunson down the stretch.
With Horford switched onto him, Brunson drilled a stepback 3-pointer with 4:07 left within the fourth quarter, giving the Knicks a 94-91 lead.
On the Knicks’ subsequent possession, Brunson made one other stepback 3-pointer over Horford, growing the result in 97-91.
The Knicks scored solely 0.75 factors per possession when screens put Horford on Brunson, however these huge 3-pointers accounted for six of Brunson’s 11 fourth-quarter factors.
Horford, 38, performed the ultimate 8:47 of the fourth quarter and all of additional time after Kristaps Porzingis left the sport with an sickness.
Porzingis didn’t play effectively throughout a scoreless first half, lacking all 4 of his photographs, however the 7-3 middle has commonly induced points for the Knicks, and his absence meant fewer alternatives to maintain Horford contemporary.
Initially Revealed: Could 6, 2025 at 12:14 PM EDT
