Knicks Stun Celtics Again with Late Comeback to Take Commanding 2-0 Series Lead

Second Knicks comeback shocks Celtics as New York flips the script in Boston again

If anyone thought the New York Knicks’ game one heroics were a fluke, game two put that narrative firmly to bed. In what’s becoming a hallmark of their postseason identity, the Knicks once again clawed their way back from the brink — this time overcoming a 20-point third-quarter deficit and a 16-point hole in the fourth — to snatch a 91-90 win over the Boston Celtics and take a surprising 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

It was a victory built on resilience, grit, and just enough clutch execution when it mattered most. Jalen Brunson, who has become something of a metronome for this Knicks team, knocked down two icy free throws with 12.7 seconds left to give New York the lead. Mikal Bridges followed it up with a key defensive stop, swatting away Boston’s final attempt to prevent a response in the dying seconds.

Now the Knicks — who finished 10 games behind the reigning champion Celtics in the regular season — return to Madison Square Garden with an improbable but very real advantage in this best-of-seven series.

Brunson, Hart and Bridges lead the charge as Knicks rally again

Second Knicks comeback leaves Celtics hanging on

The heart of this Knicks side has never been in doubt, but now the league is seeing their nerve on the biggest stage. After erasing a 20-point lead to steal game one in overtime, they did it again in game two — only this time in regulation, and in even more dramatic fashion.

Josh Hart led the way with 23 points, showcasing his trademark hustle and two-way impact throughout the night. Brunson, though not having his most explosive scoring night, still put up 17 points and led all players with seven assists — including the game-sealing free throws.

“I got up there, heard the noise and then I just tried to block everything out. And then I made two,” Brunson said afterward, describing the moment with the kind of calm poise that’s come to define him.

Karl-Anthony Towns, continuing to evolve into a true playoff performer, chipped in 21 points and 17 rebounds, giving the Knicks consistent interior presence. And Bridges, silent for three quarters, erupted for all 14 of his points in the fourth — including critical buckets that helped flip the game’s momentum.

It was, in every sense, a team win — but also a win that felt like a statement.

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau: “At their best when their best was needed”

There’s a certain satisfaction in watching Tom Thibodeau teams operate in playoff mode. Every possession matters, defense is non-negotiable, and players are expected to dig deep — regardless of the scoreboard.

“We started slowly, got in a big hole, dug our way out and then guys made a lot of tough plays,” Thibodeau said after the game. “They were at their best when their best was needed down the stretch.”

That’s not just coach-speak. The Knicks didn’t take the lead in game two until the final two minutes — but they stayed connected, disciplined, and didn’t let Boston’s early dominance phase them. It’s the kind of composure that defines contenders, not just hopefuls.

The Knicks also showed an impressive ability to adjust defensively. After being torched by Boston’s transition game in the first half, New York tightened the screws, forcing the Celtics into late-clock decisions and capitalizing on mistakes.

Celtics stunned as lead evaporates late — again

For the Celtics, this is now unfamiliar territory. Two straight losses at TD Garden. Two straight games where they held commanding leads only to let them slip away. And now, a series that many assumed would tilt their way is rapidly spiraling into trouble.

Derrick White and Jaylen Brown each scored 20 points, but neither was able to find their rhythm late in the fourth quarter. Jayson Tatum, held to just 16 points on a frustrating shooting night, looked rushed and indecisive down the stretch.

“They made the necessary plays to win,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said. “We put ourselves in position to do that and we just didn’t make the plays.”

Boston now faces the prospect of heading to New York down 2-0, needing to win at least one at Madison Square Garden to avoid the real threat of an early exit. The urgency is real — and so is the pressure.

Thunder strike back with record-setting demolition of Nuggets

While the Eastern Conference saw another nail-biter, out West the Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a completely different type of statement. After a heartbreaking game one loss, the Thunder came out blazing in game two, overwhelming the Denver Nuggets with a 149-106 blowout to tie their Western Conference semi-final at 1-1.

From the opening tip, it was all Thunder. They poured in 45 points in the first quarter and matched an NBA playoff record with 87 in the first half. It was a masterclass in ball movement, pace, and shot-making — the kind of offensive clinic that left Denver shell-shocked.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was at the heart of it all once again. The MVP frontrunner scored 34 points in just three quarters of play before sitting out the fourth. “We knew what was at stake tonight,” he said. “We came out desperate.”

It didn’t feel like desperation, though. It felt like domination. Coach Mark Daigneault praised his team’s focus. “I didn’t really look at tonight as a response as much as I looked at tonight as just us being who we are, and that’s how we’ve been all season.”

Jokic muted as Nuggets unravel

Denver’s Nikola Jokic was the hero in game one, but game two was a completely different story. He finished with just 17 points and eight rebounds before fouling out in the third quarter — a rare off night for the two-time MVP.

“We got punked,” said interim coach David Adelman, pulling no punches. “They came out with the right intensity and we didn’t. We aren’t just going to flush this. We have to play better and we know that.”

The Nuggets will head back to Denver for game three with a lot to fix — not just tactically, but mentally. Oklahoma City’s energy, depth and belief are clear. If Jokic and company don’t respond in kind, this could quickly become one of the more surprising upsets of the postseason.