Knicks Stun Celtics—Again—with Jaw-Dropping 20-Point Rally
If you think you've seen wild playoff basketball, think again. The New York Knicks just did what no team in NBA history has managed before—twice in a row. Down by 20 points to the Boston Celtics in the fourth quarter, they roared back for a 91-90 win, sending Knicks fans into a frenzy and leaving TD Garden in disbelief. For anyone keeping count, that's two straight games in this series where New York has come back from at least 20 down. If you wondered whether last game's comeback was a fluke, the Knicks just told you: think again.
The Celtics, leading most of the night, watched their advantage melt away like snow in July. With just under 10 minutes left, Boston seemed in cruise control. Then, Jalen Brunson got hot, Josh Hart hit a critical floater, and Mikal Bridges locked down Jayson Tatum on defense. The energy flipped almost instantly. Suddenly, that 20-point cushion turned into a tightrope walk.
Brunson, who carved up Boston’s defense all series, took over late. With only 1:07 on the clock, he hit a tough go-ahead jumper that put the Knicks on top for good. The Celtics had their chances, but nerves and defensive pressure took their toll. Tatum missed a gimme layup, and Robert Williams III couldn't clean up the rebound. New York’s bench erupted, sensing history in the making. Across two games, Boston's top guns—Tatum and Jaylen Brown—just couldn't find their touch when it mattered, shooting a combined 4-for-17 and 8-for-21 in the game's vital moments.
Staggering Collapses and Bold Knicks Heroes
NBA comebacks happen, but never like this. Until now, zero teams had erased back-to-back 20-point playoff holes. It’s not just about talent; it’s about guts. Both of these Knicks wins started ugly, with their offense ice-cold and defense outfoxed by the Celtics’ early ball movement. Still, New York never stopped pressing. Even when down big, you could see their intent: force Boston into tough shots, push the pace, and let Brunson cook in crunch time.
The Celtics, meanwhile, are staring down a sudden postseason nightmare. Fans watched a pair of massive leads vaporize as role players like Bridges pressured every Boston touch and Hart added just enough offense to keep things alive. Coach Joe Mazzulla burned through timeouts hoping to steady his team, but the mistakes snowballed—a turnover here, a missed open jumper there. For supporters of the Celtics, it felt more like deja vu than déjà thrill.
Looking ahead, the pressure swings to Boston, who must dig deep to avoid a disastrous collapse in the series. But the Knicks? They're rolling with a belief that's hard to shake. Two historic comebacks in a row don't just swing momentum—they redefine what's possible on basketball’s biggest stage. Game 3 now promises even more tension, and maybe, just maybe, a few more history-making moments before this wild ride is over.
