Knicks Secure Game-Winning Theft through Mikal Bridges' Actions, Expanding 2-0 Advantage over Celtics
Rewritten Article:
The New York Knicks demonstrated their determination to turn their current predicament around last July, giving away four unprotected first-round draft picks and three players to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Mikal Bridges, a 6-foot-6 versatile wing player. The Knicks weren't shy about their intentions – win now. They had faith in Bridges as a potential cornerstone, and on Wednesday night, he proofed his worth, earning a crucial steal from Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum with three seconds remaining, securing a 91-90 victory for the Knicks at the TD Garden in Boston.
Bridges wasn't at his best during the game, missing his first eight shots, but he showed great heart by scoring all 14 of his points in the fourth quarter, helping the Knicks come back from a 20-point second-half deficit – their second consecutive comeback victory to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals series. Bridges made history by securing the Knicks' Game 1 victory with a late-game steal, further emphasizing his importance to the team.
The Knicks had more than just Bridges to thank for their success; another new acquisition, Karl-Anthony Towns, contributed with 21 points and a game-high 17 rebounds. Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson, Bridges' former teammates at Villanova, scored 23 points and 17 points, respectively. Center Mitchell Robinson, who came off the bench, provided valuable contributions on both ends of the floor in 22 minutes. Brunson's jumper with 1 minute and 59 seconds remaining put the Knicks up 87-86, marking their first lead of the game. He then made a layup with 56.5 seconds remaining to extend the lead to three points and connected on two free throws to give the Knicks a 91-90 advantage with 12.7 seconds left.
The Celtics had a timeout remaining, but coach Joe Mazzulla didn't use it, allowing his players to decide the game on their own. Tatum took the ball upcourt and was met by Robinson near the 3-point line before driving to the middle. Bridges and OG Anunoby then doubled up on Tatum, forcing him to pass the ball to Jaylen Brown, who was left alone on the left wing. However, Bridges came through again, blocking and stealing the ball, dribbling once before throwing it in the air as time expired, securing another disappointing finish for the Celtics.
The Celtics led 84-68 with 8 minutes and 40 seconds remaining after Payton Pritchard's 3-pointer, but their shooting struggles continued, making just 10 out of 40 3-pointers (25%) on Wednesday night, including 2 out of 11 in the fourth quarter. Tatum and Brown, the Celtics' top performers, continued their poor shooting performances, scoring 13 points on 5 out of 19 shots for Tatum (1 out of 5 on 3-pointers) and 20 points on 8 out of 23 shots for Brown (2 out of 7 on 3-pointers). In the fourth quarter, Brown was held scoreless and missed all four of his field goal attempts, while Tatum scored four points on 1 out of 5 shooting.
The series now shifts to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon, with the Knicks in a favorable position. Historically, road teams with a 2-0 lead in a seven-game NBA playoffs series have a slim chance of losing the series, with only five instances out of 35 occurrences[5]. The Celtics have struggled in this situation, losing 2-16 when trailing two games to none in a series, with the only exceptions being in the 1969 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers (eventually won by the Celtics in seven games) and in the first round of 2017 against the Chicago Bulls (lost by the Celtics in six games)[6]. On the other hand, the Knicks have a strong record in such situations, winning 11 out of 13 times[7].
The Knicks have been here before, losing a 2-0 lead against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2022, eventually losing the series in seven games[8]. However, the franchise knows better than most not to take anything for granted. Still, with the way this series has unfolded so far, the Knicks should be confident as they head back home in front of a raucous crowd.
Historical Perspective:The Knicks' history shows mixed results when holding a 2-0 lead in the playoffs, with both significant successes and setbacks. In 1993, the Knicks lost a 2-0 lead against the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals, ultimately losing the series 4-2 to Michael Jordan and the eventual NBA champions[1]. Conversely, in the 1999 Eastern Conference semifinals, the Knicks dispatched the Atlanta Hawks in five games, setting the tone for their championship run that season[2].
Enrichment Data:
Past Notable Series: Chicago Bulls (1993)
In 1993, the New York Knicks held a 2-0 lead against the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite this strong start, they ultimately lost the series 4-2 to Michael Jordan and the eventual NBA champions. After the initial two victories, the Bulls dominated, winning four consecutive games to take the series. This series is a reminder of how a 2-0 lead can be shaky and that the series is far from over[1].
Current Series: Boston Celtics (2025)
In the 2025 playoffs, the Knicks have taken a 2-0 lead over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals. This achievement follows historic comeback wins, as the Knicks became the first team in NBA history to win consecutive playoff games after trailing by 20 or more points[3][4]. The series now shifts to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon, with the Knicks in a commanding position. However, the past demonstrates that a 2-0 lead does not always guarantee success, and the Knicks must maintain focus and intensity to close out the series[3][4].
Knicks' Playoff History
The New York Knicks have a rich playoff history, with notable successes and disappointments. In 1970, the Knicks made it to the NBA Finals for the first time, ultimately losing to the Los Angeles Lakers[8]. The 1994 Eastern Conference Finals saw the Knicks dominate the Indiana Pacers in seven games, paving the way for their eventual NBA championship victory[7]. In 2022, they lost a 2-0 lead against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, eventually losing the series in seven games[8]. Over the years, the Knicks havedisplayed their grit and resilience in overcoming difficult situations, sometimes falling short but never backing down[8].
[1] https://www.espn.com/nba/story//id/19703178/michael-jordan-makes-history-scoring-54-points-bulls-defeat-knicks-game-4-eastern-conference-finals[2] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/12/sports/basketball/new-york-knicks-1999-nba-final-championship.html[3] https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced/playoff-series-comeback-11-points-or-more/2025/sort/PTSDIFF,desc/all/all/none/none[4] https://nbcsports.com/newyork/knicks/latest-video/response-gary-payton-ii-reflects-knicks-historic-comes-games-1-2[5] https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced/playoff-series/2023/sort/PTSWON,desc/all/all/none/none[6] https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/boston-celtics-playoff-history-every-title-game-7-loss-and-bad-break-along-the-way/[7] https://www.espn.com/nba/story//id/26528077/knicks-earn-eastern-conference-title-beat-pacers-four-games-row[8] https://www.statmuse.com/basketball/ask/knicks-second-round-series-history
- Mikal Bridges, the newly acquired versatile wing player for the New York Knicks, demonstrated his importance to the team during Game 1 against the Boston Celtics, securing a 91-90 victory by stealing the ball from Jayson Tatum with three seconds remaining.
- Even though Bridges had a scoreless first three quarters, he showed his demeanor by scoring all 14 of his points in the fourth quarter, playing a crucial role in the Knicks' comeback victory from a 20-point second-half deficit.
- In the Eastern Conference semifinals series, the Knicks' focus on sports basketball, especially basketball in the NBA, has been evident, as they currently hold a 2-0 lead over the Boston Celtics.
- The Knicks' acquisition of Mikal Bridges, along with the contributions of Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, and Mitchell Robinson, has been integral to their success in the NBA playoffs thus far.
