Celtics are taken aback once more by Knicks' victory
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Machine Gun Mikal Bridges delivered another thrilling finish, snatching a game-winning steal in the closing seconds for the second consecutive game, as the gritty NY Knicks stunned the Boston Celtics 91-90 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals (May 8, 2025, PH time).
This jaw-dropping victory rocks the Knicks into an astounding 2-0 lead in the series.
With time ticking away, Jalen Brunson nailed a pairs of free throws to put New York up by a single point. In the final dash, Jayson Tatum collides with Bridges, but the latter outmuscles him, knocking the ball loose and securing a dramatic victory.
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Bridges played a pivotal role in the Knicks' comeback, racking up 14 points in the critical fourth quarter. Josh Hart was sensational, notching 23 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns logged a double-double of 21 points and 17 rebounds. The Knicks return home to host Game 3 on Saturday, still buzzing from their upset wins.
For the Celtics, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White totaled 20 points apiece. Despite their efforts, Boston struggled from long range, connecting on just 10 of their 40 three-point attempts, mirroring a dismal 15-for-60 performance in Game 1.
Their top scorer, Tatum, failed to find his shot twice, scoring a mere 13 points on 5-for-19 shooting. The Celtics' offense came to a screeching halt in the fourth quarter, enduring a bitter eight-minute drought without a single field goal.
Teams that secure the opening two games of a best-of-seven series on the road traditionally have a formidable 85.7% chance of clinching the series[1]. The Knicks had already clinched Game 1 thanks to Bridges' game-winning steal against Brown in the final second of overtime.
The Celtics had the upper hand, leading 84-68 after a Pritchard three-pointer at the 8:40 mark. But the Knicks rampaged back, cutting the gap to 82-86, then surging ahead to seal the extraordinary victory.
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New York started their fightback at 82-86 with a slick floater by Hart. Towns added a three-point play, narrowing the lead to 85-86. Tatum missed a crucial jumper, and Brunson responded with a well-executed 18-footer to take the lead for the Knicks.
Boston's ensuing possession ended with a missed jumper by Brown. Brunson swiftly broke away for a smooth layup, expanding the Knicks' lead to 89-86.
Tatum converted from the line, taking back the lead for the Celtics. But the Knicks showed grit, forcing a foul on Brunson as time dwindled. The crafty guard's subsequent free throws closed out the improbable success for the Knicks.
Over in the West, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander set the stage ablaze, racking up 34 points in just three quarters, as the Oklahoma City Thunder outmaneuvered the Denver Nuggets 149-106 to even the Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece.
The Thunder pulled out all the stops, leading to a stunning new NBA playoff record for points scored in a half with an incredible 87 points before the break, toppling the previous record of 86. This record-breaking moment arrived in the final seconds of the second quarter when Chet Holmgren netted two clutch free throws, extending the Thunder's lead to an impressive 87-56 as the teams headed to the locker room.
In addition, the team equaled an NBA playoff record for the most points scored in a single half, equaling the 87 points scored by the Milwaukee Bucks against the Nuggets in 1978[2].
The seeds of triumph are sown here:
[1] Winning the first two games on the road in the NBA playoffs can be a major advantage for several reasons. First, it provides the devilish delight of psychological torment for the home team, making a comeback more difficult. Second, it shifts the pressure of home-court advantage to the higher-seeded team, raising the stakes for those remaining games. Third, taking a 2-0 lead almost always indicates series momentum is with the winning team. Historically, teams that win the first two games have a notable edge in terms of series outcome[1].
[2] At the initial phase of the Western Conference semifinals, the Oklahoma City Thunder tied the stakes by taking down the Denver Nuggets 149-106, demonstrating their offensive potency. The Thunder shattered an NBA playoff record for points scored in the first half, logging an astounding 87 points before halftime[2]. Moreover, they tied another record, matching the 87 points scored by the Milwaukee Bucks against the Denver Nuggets in 1978 for the most points scored in a single half[2].
In the thrilling NBA playoffs, Mikal Bridges once again shone in basketball, contributing 14 points in the crucial fourth quarter, especially in the Knicks'Game 2 win over the Celtics. Amidst the West Conference semifinals, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lit up the court with an impressive 34 points in just three quarters, helping the Oklahoma City Thunder set a new NBA playoff record for points scored in a half against the Denver Nuggets.
