Knicks pull off shocking overtime win against Celtics in Game 1

On May 5, 2025, the New York Knicks faced the Boston Celtics in the first game of their Eastern Conference semifinals series in Boston. The Knicks started the game poorly, trailing by as much as 20 points during the second half. Despite this significant deficit, they rallied back, showcasing resilience and teamwork, especially in the last quarters. Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby both emerged as key players, each scoring 29 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 14 points and 13 rebounds. The Celtics, coming off a strong regular season, struggled significantly, particularly with their three-point shooting, missing a playoff record of 45 attempts. As the game entered overtime, the momentum shifted in favor of the Knicks, who outscored the Celtics and sealed the victory with a critical steal by Mikal Bridges in the final seconds. This upset was especially notable as the Knicks had lost all four previous matchups against the Celtics in the regular season, making their Game 1 victory all the more surprising. The outcome shifts the series advantage to the Knicks as they look to build on their success in Game 2, scheduled for the following Wednesday.