Introduction to the Game
The New York Knicks have once again proven their resilience, coming back from a significant deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics 121-113 in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. This victory gives the Knicks a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.
The Turning Point
With the odds stacked against them, the Knicks showed remarkable toughness and discipline, especially in the second half. "They hit us early, but I love the way we fought back," Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said. "Showed a lot of toughness and more discipline in the second half." New York erased a 14-point deficit in the third quarter, fueled by a 9-0 run in the frame. Jalen Brunson and Jayson Tatum traded haymaker after haymaker, as the two All-Stars lit up the Garden.
Outstanding Performances
Brunson took over the third quarter by scoring 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting. The Clutch Player of the Year finished with 39 points, 12 assists, and multiple clutch buckets down the stretch. Tatum’s huge 42-point night ended on a catastrophic note, as he suffered a non-contact leg injury late in the game and was forced to leave in a wheelchair, casting serious doubt not just for Game 5 but well beyond this postseason.
May 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) dunks the ball in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs in front of Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Team Effort
The Knicks received clutch buckets from multiple players, including Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby. Towns finished with a 23-point, 11-rebound double-double while shooting at a 71% clip. Bridges added 23 points, three steals, and a block. Anunoby knocked down four of his eight three-point attempts and was a force defensively. "I thought OG gave us a huge game, and I thought Jalen, of course, [made] timely shot after timely shot," Thibodeau said.
Celtics’ Performance
Derrick White and Jaylen Brown played their part, complementing Tatum’s 42-point masterclass. White finished with 23 points and played elite defense on just about every player he guarded. Brown went 4-of-6 from behind the arc in his 18-point outing.
The Final Stretch
The Knicks took their largest lead of the series with a fadeaway jumper by Bridges as the shot clock expired. They led 111-104 with 3:21 to go in the fourth quarter. "We always say we’ve got the best fans in the world," Thibodeau said. "We’ve got to make sure we give them stuff to cheer for."
Conclusion
New York hasn’t seen a team win like this in quite some time, and this is the team the Knicks envisioned they could be when they traded for Towns and Bridges this past summer. With this win, the Knicks are on the brink of advancing to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000. Game 5 will take place back in Boston on Wednesday night, with tip-off set for 7 p.m. ET.
FAQs
- Q: What is the current series lead?
- A: The New York Knicks lead the series 3-1.
- Q: What happened to Jayson Tatum in Game 4?
- A: Jayson Tatum suffered a non-contact leg injury and was forced to leave the game in a wheelchair.
- Q: When is Game 5?
- A: Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday night in Boston, with a tip-off time of 7 p.m. ET.
- Q: What is at stake in Game 5 for the Knicks?
- A: A win in Game 5 would send the Knicks to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000.
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- A: A win in Game 5 would send the Knicks to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000.
