New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets secure victories
New York Knicks Stun Celtics in Thrilling Comeback Victory
In an electrifying turn of events, the NY Knicks pulled off a jaw-dropping comeback against their rivals, the Boston Celtics, bagging a 108-105 triumph in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series on May 6, 2025 (PH time).
Mikal Bridges snatched a crucial steal from Jaylen Brown in the final seconds of overtime, sealing the victory for the Knicks.
The heroes of the night were Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, scoring a phenomenal 29 points each. Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in with 14 points and 13 rebounds, while the Knicks, who had lost all four regular-season games against the Celtics, demonstrated a strong determination this time around.
The Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown with 23 points each, faced a tough challenge on the court, particularly in their long-distance shooting, breaking a playoff record by missing a staggering 45 three-pointers. Derrick White added 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Jrue Holiday made a comeback to the Celtics' starting lineup after missing the last three games due to a hamstring injury, scoring 16 points in 39 minutes. However, Kristaps Porzingis was limited to 13 minutes due to illness and did not return after halftime.
The OT saw Anunoby's three-point play and Bridges' three-pointer, extending New York's lead to 106-100. Brown's three-pointer minuted later brought the game to 108-105, but it was Boston's final score.
Other noteworthy moments during the game included a thrilling end to regulation. The Knicks managed to eliminate a 16-point halftime deficit, entering the fourth quarter down by 11 points. The Knicks then started the fourth quarter with a run, tying the game at 86.
After several lead changes, New York led 97-95, as White scored a corner three-pointer with 2:15 remaining. Anunoby responded with a three-pointer to retake the lead, but Holiday's layup tied the game. Anunoby missed a fadeaway jumper, and White grabbed the rebound, leading to a Boston timeout with 28 seconds left.
Tatum missed a three-pointer, and the Knicks rebounded with 5.5 seconds left. Brunson's give-and-go with Towns resulted in a missed layup, which Boston rebounded. Tatum's last-second jumper at the buzzer missed, sending the game into overtime.
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets staged a similarly incredible comeback to trounce the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder 121-119 in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series. The winning basket was placed by Aaron Gordon in the closing seconds, capping an amazing performance by Nikola Jokic, who delivered 42 points and 22 rebounds for Denver.
In the electrifying OT, OG Anunoby's three-point play and a three-pointer from Mikal Bridges extended the Knicks' lead, ending at 108-105, despite Boston's Jaylen Brown's late three-pointer. Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, with impressive 29 points each, were the Knicks' top performers in their comeback victory over the Celtics. NBA sports enthusiasts eagerly anticipate how the Knicks will continue to apply these pointers in their upcoming games, especially considering their added determination in their matchups against the Celtics.
