Celtics Struggle Against Knicks: A 2-0 Series Deficit
In a stunning playoff performance, the Boston Celtics fell to the New York Knicks for the second consecutive game, blowing a 20-point lead in a narrow 91-90 loss on Wednesday. This defeat places the Celtics in a troubling 2-0 series hole as they head to New York for Game 3.
Star forward Jayson Tatum continues to struggle, finishing the game with a disappointing 5-for-19 shooting. His efforts included a crucial turnover on the final possession, sealing the Celtics’ fate. Jaylen Brown fared little better, shooting 8-for-23 and contributing six turnovers, underscoring the team’s struggles on offense. While Kristaps Porzingis displayed some effectiveness in his limited 14 minutes, his contributions were not enough to lift the team when it mattered most.
The pivotal moment came in the waning minutes when the Celtics failed to score for over eight minutes, allowing the Knicks to mount their comeback. Despite dominating early, the Celtics’ inability to capitalize on their momentum and a frustrating 3-point shooting slump—hitting only 10 of 40 attempts—has left fans and analysts questioning their playoff strategy.
Coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in managing fouls that benefited Knicks center Mitchell Robinson. Porzingis’ cryptic remarks about struggling with an unnamed ailment only added to the Celtics’ woes.
Defensively, Boston showed signs of improvement, limiting the Knicks to just 20 points in the third quarter. However, this was overshadowed by their offensive failures. With Game 3 set for Saturday, the Celtics must overcome their shooting slump and revisit their approach if they hope to turn this series around. As Brown stated, it’s time to move forward with "short-term memory."
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