Knicks Stun Celtics with 20-Point Comeback Win in Game 1

The Knicks' stunning comeback win over the Celtics marks a turning point in their playoff series, with Brunson and Anunoby leading the charge.

Jalen Brunson scored 29 points, including five three-pointers, to lead the New York Knicks to a stunning 108-105 overtime victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series. Brunson's impressive performance capped a remarkable second-half comeback, where the Knicks overcame a 20-point deficit.

OG Anunoby also had a standout game with 29 points, including six three-pointers, helping the Knicks silence the Boston crowd at TD Garden. The Celtics, despite holding a significant lead midway through the third quarter, struggled with poor shooting, missing 45 three-pointers and scoring just 16 points in the fourth quarter.

The game's final minutes were intense, with both teams making crucial plays. Brunson's late-game heroics, including two straight three-pointers, gave the Knicks a brief lead, but the Celtics responded with a 7-0 run. In overtime, New York took control, with Anunoby and Bridges making key plays to secure the win. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum both scored 23 points for the Celtics, but it wasn't enough to overcome their poor shooting.

Jalen Brunson scored 29 points, and OG Anunoby added 29 points with six three-pointers as the New York Knicks came back from a 20-point deficit to beat the Boston Celtics 108-105 in overtime. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum both scored 23 points to lead Boston's scoring efforts.

GAME 1 ✅ pic.twitter.com/RlA98Gz254

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 6, 2025

After the game, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau praised his team's resilience, saying, “It was a great team win. We started well, then we fell into a hole and then we fought our way out and then we made tough plays down the stretch.” The Celtics had control early in the third quarter with a 72-52 lead, but the Knicks staged an impressive comeback.

The Boston Celtics' double-digit lead was significantly reduced in the third quarter as OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson combined for 21 points, while Boston's offense stalled. Al Horford steadied the Celtics with a three-pointer, maintaining a nine-point lead at 84-75.

CAPTAIN CLUTCH. pic.twitter.com/lRhBoFq3Fw

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 6, 2025

The Knicks surged ahead in the fourth quarter, with Miles McBride and Anunoby hitting consecutive three-pointers around Karl-Anthony Towns' layup, cutting the deficit to one point. New York tied the game 86-86 with under eight minutes remaining. A decisive 11-point run from Brunson then propelled the Knicks to a 97-91 lead.

Jalen Brunson had a chance to win the game in regulation but missed a layup with three seconds left, forcing overtime. The Knicks ultimately prevailed, with OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns leading the team to victory.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla attributed the loss to defensive lapses in the second half, saying, “We left some of their good shooters open. There's detail stuff that we have to be better at.” Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Wednesday in Boston.