Knicks Rally from 20 Down, Steal Game 1 from Celtics/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby scored 29 each, and Mikal Bridges’ last-second steal sealed the Knicks’ shocking 108-105 overtime win over the Celtics after erasing a 20-point deficit in Game 1 of the East semifinals.
BOSTON — In a game that looked all but over midway through the third quarter, the New York Knicks stormed back from a 20-point deficit and stunned the Boston Celtics 108-105 in overtime Monday night to take Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Jalen Brunson and And Anunoby each dropped 29 pointswhile Mikal Bridges made the game’s defining play — stealing an inbound pass from Jaylen Brown with one second left in OT to preserve the Knicks’ dramatic win at TD Garden.
Brunson, who helped fuel the comeback, credited his team’s resilience.
The Knicks, swept by Boston in four regular-season matchups, flipped the script when it mattered most.
The Celtics, who led 75-55 in the third quarter, shot a playoff-record 60 three-pointersmissing 45 of them. Their second-half shot selection heavily favored the arc — 37 of 49 shots after halftime were threes, of which only 10 fell.
Jaylen Brownwho finished with 23 pointshit just 1 of 10 from deep.
Jayson Tatum also had 23 points but missed a potential game-winner at the end of regulation.
Kristaps Porzingis left the game at halftime with an illness and didn’t return — a loss that Coach Joe Mace acknowledged had a big impact.
The Knicks began their rally with a 20-9 run to close the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 84-75. They then opened the fourth with eight straight points, tying it at 86 on an Anunoby steal and dunk.
The final minutes of regulation featured five lead changescapped by a missed Brunson bank shot that could have won it. Derrick White briefly gave Boston the lead with a corner 3, but Anunoby answered, and Holiday’s layup tied it again.
Tatum had a final look in regulation with 0.6 seconds leftbut his off-balance shot clanged off the rim, sending the game to overtime.
The Knicks took control early in overtime with a three-point play by Anunobyfollowed by a Bridges 3-pointerpushing their lead to 106-100. Brown cut it to three with a rare made 3-pointer, but the Celtics missed key opportunities down the stretch.
With three seconds left, Boston had a chance to force a second OT or win it outright. But Bridges read the inbound play perfectly, swiping the ball from Brown to seal the win.
Coach Tom Thibodeau praised his team’s poise:
Game 2 is set for Wednesday night in Boston, with the Knicks looking to take a commanding 2-0 series lead on the road — something few expected coming into this matchup.
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