Knicks Move Closer to Eastern Conference Finals with 121-113 Win over Celtics
In a thrilling Game 4 matchup, the New York Knicks edged closer to their first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 25 years with a 121-113 victory over the defending champion Boston Celtics. The win puts the Knicks up 3-1 in the series, with the Celtics facing a daunting task to mount a comeback.
According to The Guardian, Jalen Brunson led the Knicks to victory with 39 points and 12 assists. The team’s impressive performance was crucial in pushing the Celtics to the brink of elimination. As The Guardian reports, the Celtics will have to achieve a remarkable feat to extend their title reign, making just the 14th comeback from a 3-1 deficit in NBA history.
The Celtics’ task may be even more challenging without All-Star Jayson Tatum, who suffered a leg injury in the final minutes of the game. Tatum was carried off the court and later seen being pushed to the locker room in a wheelchair, sparking concerns about his availability for the remainder of the series. As quoted in The Guardian, Brunson praised his teammates’ resilience, saying, "They played phenomenal, didn’t quit, they kept fighting, that’s what’s most important whenever we get in a hole – you can’t quit and we showed that."
The game itself was a nail-biter, with the Celtics leading by at least 20 points in the first three games but blowing the first two in Boston. In this game, they had a double-digit lead less than five minutes into the contest, but the Knicks staged a remarkable comeback. As The Guardian notes, the Knicks played their starters throughout the entire third quarter, outscoring the Celtics 37-23 to set up a thrilling final period.
Tatum’s three-point play tied the game for the final time at 102-all, but the Knicks responded with a crucial 11-0 burst to seal the win. Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns added 23 points each, while OG Anunoby bounced back from two poor performances with 20 points. As reported by The Guardian, Brunson remained focused on the task at hand, saying, "We’ve got to focus, that’s a great team over there."
The Knicks can now close out the series with a win on Wednesday night at Boston, or return to Madison Square Garden for a potential Game 6 on Friday night. As The Guardian highlights, no team has come from 3-1 down since Denver achieved the feat twice in 2020, and it hasn’t happened when a team had to win a true road game since Cleveland rallied past Golden State in the 2016 NBA finals.
The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the series, with the Knicks seeking to end their 25-year drought without an Eastern Conference finals appearance. As The Guardian notes, the team’s chances of advancing will likely depend on their ability to maintain their momentum and overcome the Celtics’ determination to extend their title reign.
The Celtics’ chances of a comeback will likely be boosted if they can get Tatum back on the court, but the Knicks will be looking to capitalize on their momentum and secure a spot in the Eastern Conference finals. As reported by The Guardian, Brunson’s determination and focus will be crucial in the Knicks’ bid to close out the series, saying, "I don’t know… Just find a way to make plays and get us going… I was just in the flow."
The series has been marked by impressive performances from both teams, with the Knicks seeking to make history and end their long drought without an Eastern Conference finals appearance. As The Guardian highlights, the Celtics’ title reign is under threat, and they will need to produce a remarkable comeback to extend their championship hopes.
This article is based on reporting by The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/may/12/nba-playoffs-knicks-celtics-tatum-injury.
