Knicks come back from 20 points and lead Eastern Conference semifinals
Mikal Bridges shined with 14 points in the final quarter, culminating with a crucial steal, and the New York Knicks achieved an impressive comeback to defeat the Boston Celtics 91-90, securing a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Jalen Brunson scored 17 points for the Knicks, including two free throws that gave them a 91-90 lead with 12.7 seconds remaining. The Celtics’ Jayson Tatum couldn’t get close to the basket, and Bridges stepped in to steal the ball.
“They made every play,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla commented. “At the end of the third and fourth quarters, I think we generated good opportunities, but we had live-ball turnovers and they capitalized on them. They made the plays they needed to win. We put ourselves in a position to do it, but we didn’t execute the plays.”
Joe Mazzulla
Josh Hart contributed 23 points and Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 21 points and 17 rebounds for the Knicks, who will host Game 3 on Saturday.
Jaylen Brown and Derrick White each scored 20 points for the Celtics, who shot 10 of 40 from 3-point range, after going 15 of 60 in Game 1.
