The New York Knicks fought back from a 20-point third-quarter deficit for the second straight game against the Boston Celtics to open up a 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Jalen Brunson made two clutch free throws with 12.7 seconds remaining to give the Knicks a one-point lead, before Mikal Bridges made another game-winning steal, this time on Jayson Tatum, to secure a huge 91-90 win at TD Garden. Teams that win the first two games of a playoff series on the road advance to the next round 85.7% of the time, per the Associated Press. The defending champions are now in real danger of being eliminated with the next two games at a raucous Madison Square Garden. “Two games we’re up 20 points (and) somehow end up not with wins is inexcusable,” Boston star Jaylen Brown, who was the victim of Bridges’ game-winning steal in the series opener, told reporters. “Obviously, being down two, it sucks. “It’s an opportunity to show what we’re made of,” Brown added. “Obviously, we wouldn’t like to be in this position, but we’re here now, so we got to respond.” No team in the history of the NBA has shot more three-pointers than this version of the Celtics, but it has been their undoing so far in this series, going a combined 25-of-100 from deep across Games 1 and 2 – including missing a league playoff-record 45 triples in the opener. The Celtics offense crumbled in the fourth quarter, missing 14 of its final 15 shots that included an incredible run of more than eight minutes without a bucket. It has been a remarkable start to the series for a Knicks team that finished 10 games back from the No. 1 seed Celtics and got swept 4-0 in the teams’ regular season matchups. Josh Hart finished with a game-high 23 points for the Knicks, while Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 17 rebounds. Brunson, the 2024-25 Clutch Player of the Year, had 17 points – including the Knicks’ last six of the game – and seven assists. After shooting 0-for-8 through the first three quarters, Bridges scored all 14 of his points in the fourth before his crucial steal at the end. Bridges said after the game that the team is “just finding ways to win.” For the Celtics, Derrick White and Brown had 20 points, but it was a tough night for Tatum who finished with 13 points on 5-of-19 shooting. Game 3 is at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday. Thunder set playoff record in demolition of Nuggets The Oklahoma City Thunder demolished the Denver Nuggets 149-106 on Wednesday to level the series at 1-1. Oklahoma set a new NBA playoff record for points scored in a half, dropping a staggering 87 in the first half against the Nuggets. Denver, who fired longtime head coach Michael Malone just before the playoffs, snatched a win in Game 1 with a late Aaron Gordon three-pointer, but Game 2 was never even a contest as the Thunder raced out to a 24-point, first-quarter lead. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a game-high 34 points for the Thunder to go with eight assists and four rebounds, while Chet Holmgren posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. All five Thunder starters, plus three players off the bench, hit double figures in the rout. Nikola Jokić, Gilgeous-Alexander’s rival for the MVP award, scored just 17 points and fouled out in the third quarter. The three-time MVP had a historic 42-point, 22-rebound performance in Game 1. Game 3 is in Denver on Saturday.
‘Inexcusable’: Boston Celtics squander another 20-point lead as New York Knicks take commanding 2-0 series lead
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Knicks Rally from 20-Point Deficit to Beat Celtics, Lead Series 2-0"
CNN
7.0
TruthLens AI Summary
In a dramatic turn of events, the New York Knicks overcame a significant 20-point deficit in the third quarter to defeat the Boston Celtics 91-90, thus taking a commanding 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinals series. Jalen Brunson's clutch free throws with just 12.7 seconds left secured the victory for the Knicks, who have now positioned themselves favorably with a strong chance of advancing, as historically, teams winning the first two games of a playoff series on the road have a success rate of 85.7%. The Celtics, who are the defending champions, now face the daunting challenge of overcoming this deficit with the next two games set to take place in the intimidating atmosphere of Madison Square Garden. Jaylen Brown, a standout player for Boston, expressed his frustration with the team's inability to maintain leads, calling it 'inexcusable' and emphasizing the need for the team to respond effectively to their current situation.
The Celtics' performance has been particularly concerning, especially their shooting from beyond the arc. They have set an NBA record for the most three-point attempts in a season, yet have struggled mightily in this series, shooting only 25-of-100 from three-point range across the first two games. In Game 2, the Celtics' offense faltered dramatically in the fourth quarter, managing to make only one basket in over eight minutes, which proved detrimental to their chances of winning. Meanwhile, the Knicks have shown resilience and determination, with Josh Hart leading the scoring with 23 points and Mikal Bridges contributing significantly in the fourth quarter after a slow start. The Celtics' star Jayson Tatum had a particularly tough night, finishing with only 13 points on inefficient shooting. As the series heads to New York for Game 3, the Celtics must regroup quickly to avoid falling deeper into a series that has already taken a challenging turn for them.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the Boston Celtics' struggles in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks, revealing a significant narrative about their performance and the implications for the future of the series. By emphasizing the Celtics' inability to maintain a large lead and the Knicks' comeback, the report seeks to inform readers about the current state of the playoffs while also igniting discussions around team dynamics and expectations.
Public Sentiment and Team Image
The piece aims to foster a sense of disappointment and urgency among Celtics fans and the broader basketball community. By quoting star player Jaylen Brown expressing frustration at the team's performance, it cultivates a sense of accountability and raises questions about the Celtics' resilience. This narrative could lead to increased scrutiny of the team’s strategies and coaching decisions, especially as they face the pressure of being down 2-0 in the series.
Concealment of Broader Issues
While the article focuses primarily on the immediate game results, it may divert attention from larger issues within the Celtics organization, such as potential conflicts among players or coaching inefficiencies. By concentrating on the specifics of the game, the report may obscure deeper systemic problems that could affect the team's long-term success.
Manipulative Elements
The report leans on emotive language, particularly in the quotes from players, which could be seen as a manipulation tactic designed to evoke strong feelings from fans. By framing the Celtics' performance as "inexcusable," it reinforces a negative perception of their capabilities, potentially influencing public opinion and fan morale.
Comparative Context
When juxtaposed with other sports news, this article serves to highlight a trend of underperformance among favored teams in high-stakes scenarios. This context reinforces the idea that the series is not just a battle between two teams but also a narrative about expectations versus reality in the world of sports.
Economic and Social Implications
The Celtics' current predicament may have ripple effects beyond the basketball court. Losses in a playoff series can impact ticket sales, merchandise, and overall franchise value. Additionally, the team's struggles could influence betting markets and fan engagement, which are critical aspects of the sports economy.
Community Reception
The report likely resonates more with passionate sports communities, particularly those who closely follow the Celtics or the NBA. It taps into a collective identity among fans who share in the highs and lows of their teams, fostering a sense of unity or frustration.
Impact on Markets
In terms of financial implications, the Celtics' playoff performance could affect related stocks, particularly for companies involved in sports merchandise and broadcasting rights. A decrease in fan engagement might lead to lower revenues for these businesses, thereby affecting their stock performance.
Global Relevance
While this article focuses on a specific playoff series, it reflects broader themes of competition and resilience that resonate globally. The dynamics within sports teams can serve as analogies for various societal and organizational challenges faced in different contexts.
AI Influence
The writing style and structure suggest that it may have been assisted by AI tools that optimize clarity and engagement. AI could have been used to analyze player statistics, historical data, or even sentiment analysis on social media to craft a more compelling narrative. However, the emotional depth conveyed in player quotes indicates a human touch in reporting, ensuring the story remains relatable to fans.
Trustworthiness of the Report
The article appears reliable in its reporting of the game's events and player statements. However, its focus on emotional responses and the framing of the Celtics' performance may introduce bias. The narrative constructed serves more to build drama around the series than to provide a balanced analysis of both teams' performances.