Celtics Dominate Knicks: Series Heads Back to New York for Exciting Showdown!

BOSTON — Derrick White put on an impressive show, scoring 34 points with seven 3-pointers to lead the Boston Celtics to a 127-102 victory against the New York Knicks in Game 5. This win was crucial for keeping the Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Celtics made 22 3-pointers, matching their playoff record, and celebrated their first win at home in this series. This win came after losing star player Jayson Tatum to an Achilles injury. Now, the Knicks will have another shot to clinch the series in New York on Friday. If the Celtics win, they’ll force a Game 7 back in Boston on Monday.

Jaylen Brown also shone, contributing 26 points and 12 assists. He became the first Celtics player in 30 postseason years to score over 25 points while assisting 30 others in a playoff game. Brown stepped up as a leader, filling the void left by Tatum.

“I think his leadership came on the defensive end,” said Boston coach Joe Mazzulla. He highlighted a pivotal moment when Brown dove for a loose ball, which energized the team. Brown not only made significant plays on offense but also took on the challenge of guarding Knicks’ player Jalen Brunson.

Luke Kornet had a breakout game with 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 blocks. This came as Kristaps Porzingis struggled due to an illness. Mazzulla noted that Porzingis was having trouble breathing but still wanted to play.

The Celtics aim to make history, trying to join the 14 teams that have come back from a 3-1 series deficit in the NBA’s 294 attempts.

On the Knicks side, Josh Hart led with 24 points, and Jalen Brunson scored 22 but fouled out late. Despite a strong start, the Knicks couldn’t hold onto their lead. The Celtics rallied from being down by nine points, closing the third quarter with a 23-9 run.

This game wasn’t just physical; it also saw moments of tension, including a brief clash between Hart and Brown. The intense energy translated into aggressive offensive play as Boston hit five 3-pointers from White alone in the early part of the game.

Statistics demonstrated the competitive edge. The Celtics and Knicks both shot well from beyond the arc, but the Celtics eventually took control. As the match progressed, they stretched their lead to as much as 28 points.

The outcome of this game could ripple through the history books, marking a pivotal moment in the Celtics’ playoff journey. In recent years, teams that have fought hard for a comeback have often surprised everyone, and the Celtics are eager to prove that they can do just that.

Information from ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Source link