BOSTON — In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday night, the New York Knicks showcased exceptional resilience, overcoming a 20-point deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics 91-90. With this victory, the Knicks extended their lead to 2-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Fourth Quarter Resurgence

Mikal Bridges was the standout performer, contributing all 14 of his points during the crucial fourth quarter. His defensive prowess shone through once again, as he executed a game-clinching steal for the second consecutive game, sealing the win for New York.

Jalen Brunson also played a critical role, scoring 17 points, and hitting two decisive free throws with 12.7 seconds left on the clock to give the Knicks the narrow lead.

Celtics’ Struggles

The Celtics saw strong performances from Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, who each scored 20 points. However, the team’s shooting woes persisted, as they finished just 10-for-40 from beyond the arc, unable to capitalize on their offensive opportunities.

Jayson Tatum had an off night, scoring 13 points on 5-for-19 shooting, and the Celtics went over eight minutes without a field goal in the fourth quarter.

Game Progression

Despite the Celtics holding a significant lead at halftime and extending it to 84-68 with a Payton Pritchard three-pointer, the momentum shifted sharply. Late in the game, the Knicks closed the gap following aggressive plays, particularly from Josh Hart, who contributed 23 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns, who recorded 21 points and 17 rebounds.

The closing minutes were marked by back-and-forth plays. After the Celtics momentarily regained the lead through Tatum’s dunk, Brunson’s clutch performance helped New York emerge victorious.

Looking Ahead

The Knicks will host Game 3 of the series on Saturday, with both teams eager to turn the tide. Historically, teams that secure the first two games in a best-of-seven series on the road have an 85.7% chance of winning the series.

Additionally, Kristaps Porzingis made an appearance off the bench after missing part of Game 1 due to illness, completing the game with eight points and four rebounds.