Knicks' Game 3 Meltdown: A Blowout Loss to Celtics and a Late Altercation
Heated exchange between Jalen Brunson and Al Horford during the fourth quarter of Game 3
In the heated Eastern Conference Semifinals, the New York Knicks were riding high after snatching two victories on the road, giving them a 2-0 series lead against the Boston Celtics. But things took a drastic turn in Game 3, as the Celtics dealt the Knicks a crushing 115-93 defeat, shifting the momentum in their favor.
As the clock wound down and it became clear that Game 3 was slipping away from them, things got heated between Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and Celtics big man Al Horford. Emotions ran high, and Brunson engaged in a verbal spat with Horford, who retorted as he trudged back to the Celtics bench. The specifics of their exchange remain a mystery, but it's no secret that passions flare when stakes are high.
The Knicks had aimed to extend their lead to 3-0 in the series, but the Celtics stepped up to the plate, seizing control from the outset and never looking back. In NBA history, no team has ever clawed its way back from a 0-3 deficit to win the series. The Celtics themselves have faced this challenge before, losing to the Miami Heat in 2023 despite managing to force a Game 7.
Mikal Bridge's Honest Revelation About Game 3 Defeat
Throughout the first two games of the series, Brunson had been the Knicks' go-to guy for clutch moments. In Game 1, Brunson scored 11 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter as the Knicks mounted a comeback from a 20+ point deficit to secure the win. In Game 2, Brunson notched nine points in the final quarter, helping the Knicks overcome another big deficit to take the game.
The NBA recognized Brunson's clutch performances by naming him the Clutch Player of the Year. Despite the heartbreaking defeat in Game 3, Brunson still managed a solid performance, finishing the game with 27 points, four rebounds, seven assists, and a steal, playing more than 39 minutes. He shot 9-of-21 from the field, 3-of-8 from three-point range, and 6-of-7 from the free-throw line.
With the loss, the Knicks are guaranteed a return trip to Boston for Game 5. They'll have another opportunity to reclaim the series when they face off against the Celtics in Game 4, scheduled for Monday.
The Knicks' stride towards a potential 3-0 series lead against the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals was halted by a boiling 115-93 defeat in Game 3, essentially shifting the deficit back to them. In this intense NBA playoffs match, the Celtics essentially seized control from the commencement, providing them an upper hand.
Jalen Brunson, the Knicks' go-to guy in stark situations, put up a commendable 27 points, four rebounds, seven assists, and a steal despite the loss, an evident beacon of resilience amidst the smile-ravaged faces of the Knicks.
As the series moves on from Game 3, the Knicks will have to confront the looming deficit in Game 4 on Monday, deducted from their initial ambition of a 3-0 lead, with a return to Boston for Game 5 guaranteed following their defeat.
In NBA history, a team has yet to emerge victorious after facing a 0-3 deficit, a daunting reality the Knicks now face. The Celtics themselves previously encountered this predicament in 2023, narrowly losing to the Miami Heat despite managing a Game 7.
