By Matija Šerić
On May 16th, in Game 6 of the series, the New York Knicks delivered a brutal 119-81 defeat to the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden, securing their place in the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs. The final series score of 4-2 was unexpected by most, except for the most die-hard Knicks fans. The Celtics entered the series as defending NBA champions and strong favorites to repeat their triumph. They had an excellent regular season (61-21 record), a well-rounded offense and defense (3rd in offense, 2nd in defense), and had convincingly beaten the Orlando Magic 4-1 in the first round. Then came the clash with the Knicks—and a painful exit.
Celtics Blow Won Games
Though underdogs, the Knicks pulled off a major upset. But it likely wouldn’t have happened if the Celtics had played at their peak. Boston blew 20-point leads in both of the first two home games. In Game 1, the inspired Knicks were led by Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, who scored 29 points each, while Mikal Bridges made crucial steals and assists. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown scored 23 points apiece for the Celtics, who missed a record-breaking 45 three-pointers in an NBA playoff game (15-for-60) and lost a game they had under control. Their complacency cost them in overtime, and they fell 108-105. Kristaps Porzingis, despite starting, failed to score a single point due to a lack of physical readiness.
A similar scenario unfolded in Game 2. The Celtics led most of the game, with a 12-point advantage by the end of the third quarter. Derrick White and Brown each scored 20 points. Tatum had an off night with only 13 points and a 26% shooting percentage. The Knicks’ comeback was driven by Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, and Jalen Brunson. The final score was 91-90 for New York, giving them a 2-0 lead in the series.
Knicks Take 3-1 Lead
Statistics show that NBA teams winning the first two games on the road win the series 85.7% of the time. It was clear the Celtics had little chance. However, in Game 3, they dominated the Knicks on their home court with a 115-93 win. It was a true road performance masterclass. Brown and White scored 29 points each, and Tatum added 23. Game 4 turned out to be pivotal. The Celtics led by 11 at halftime and looked poised to tie the series. Tatum had a brilliant 42-point performance. However, three minutes before the end, he suffered a serious injury—sealing Boston’s fate.
As it turned out, misfortune never comes alone. The Knicks played a perfect team game and likely would have won even with Tatum still on the floor. Brunson stood out with 39 points and 12 assists. New York took the game 121-113 and pushed the series to 3-1.
Jaylen Brown Couldn’t Save the Celtics
After Jayson Tatum’s devastating injury (ruptured right Achilles tendon), Boston’s chances dropped drastically. Jaylen Brown, a versatile player capable of playing both shooting guard and small forward, became the team’s main offensive weapon. In Game 5 at TD Garden, Brown delivered with 26 points, 12 assists, and 8 rebounds. The Celtics won 127-102. But in Game 6, he was fouled out in the third quarter. He finished with 20 points, six assists, and six rebounds—but it wasn’t nearly enough.
The Knicks machine steamrolled the defending champions: Bridges, Anunoby, Towns, and Brunson each scored over 20 points, while Josh Hart added 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. The Knicks reached their first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years. They triumphed thanks to excellent defense (especially Mitchell Robinson’s effort), efficient scoring from multiple players, dynamic play, and standout moments from Towns and Brunson.
Crippling Injuries
After the series, it was revealed that Jaylen Brown had been playing with a partially torn right meniscus and had been receiving painkiller injections. The injury dated back to March. Despite this, he averaged 22.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Surgery might be required. Adding Tatum’s and Porzingis’s injuries, it’s easy to see why the Celtics collapsed. Tatum has undergone surgery and is expected to miss most of next season. A return in February or March 2026 is possible, but far from guaranteed.
The Latvian center Porzingis was available throughout the playoffs but struggled with breathing and fatigue, and was a shadow of his usual self. He never fully recovered from a virus contracted in late February. In 11 playoff games, he averaged just 7.7 points on 31.6% shooting from the field, including a mere 15.4% from three. During the regular season, he averaged 19.5 points and 48.3% shooting. Sam Hauser, who helped lead the Celtics to the title last year, missed three games in the series due to a sprained right ankle.
The NBA Title – A Tough Prize
It’s been proven that defending an NBA title is no easy feat—in fact, it’s likely the hardest challenge. The last team to do it were the Golden State Warriors in 2018. Since then, reigning champions haven’t made it past the conference semifinals. This points to the unpredictability of playoff basketball—marked by injuries, fatigue, player inspiration, and tactical decisions by coaches.
The day after the game, Jaylen Brown didn’t offer excuses, saying:
“This year, things didn’t go our way, and that’s a shame, but we still hold our heads high. Losing to the Knicks feels like death, but I was always taught there’s life after death. So we’ll prepare for whatever lies ahead.”
Uncertain Future for the Celtics
There’s no doubt the Celtics are a more talented team than the Knicks and would likely win eight out of ten series—but that means nothing now. Boston’s management, led by owner Wyc Grousbeck, is likely to pursue a roster restructure and look to bring in cheaper players. The big question is what version of Tatum they’ll get next season—if he plays at all. As a result, veteran and expensive players like Jrue Holiday and Porzingis might be traded. Luke Kornet and Al Horford are free agents, and it’s unclear whether they’ll re-sign. It’s unlikely ownership will continue paying $500 million in salaries and luxury tax if Tatum isn’t at full strength. This might mark the end of a championship dynasty—and the start of a new chapter.
