The Boston Celtics find themselves on the edge of collapse, trailing 3-1 in their second-round series after a 121-113 loss to the New York Knicks on Monday night and now facing the possibility of finishing the fight without their All-NBA star. Jayson Tatum poured in a playoff-high 42 points to keep the Celtics in the hunt, but their title defense took a potentially fatal blow when he went down with a right leg injury in the final minutes, needing to be carried off the court after collapsing while chasing a loose ball.
That moment symbolized Boston’s unraveling: a team built for the long haul, suddenly fragile. Despite Tatum’s brilliance, the Celtics couldn’t stop Jalen Brunson’s relentless shotmaking, as the Knicks star carved them up for 39 points and 12 assists.
New York’s depth overwhelmed Boston, with Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, and OG Anunoby all delivering timely scoring, while the Celtics struggled to string together stops or consistent offense outside of Tatum. Jaylen Brown and Derrick White had moments but couldn’t shift momentum when it mattered most.
Boston’s defense, a calling card all season, lacked its usual bite, and the team failed to match the desperation New York played with in front of a raucous Madison Square Garden crowd.
Now, Boston is in historically precarious territory. Only 13 teams in NBA history have come back from a 3-1 deficit, none since the 2020 bubble Nuggets and none in a non-bubble setting since the Cavaliers’ iconic 2016 Finals comeback. Making matters worse, they must now win two games on the road, potentially without their best player.
1. Celtics Couldn’t Get Stops In The Second Half
Boston’s defense, which had been elite throughout the regular season, simply unraveled after halftime. The Knicks shot a blistering 54.3% from the field for the game, but much of that damage came in the second half, where New York’s ball movement and interior presence consistently generated high-quality looks.
The Celtics allowed 64 points in the paint, double their own output, a glaring sign that rim protection and help rotations were non-existent when it mattered most. Even with New York shooting just 35.3% from deep, they had no trouble generating offense inside the arc.
Boston’s perimeter defense failed to keep Jalen Brunson out of the lane, and once he penetrated, the Knicks found open cutters, mismatches, or second-chance opportunities thanks to their 13 offensive rebounds. The Celtics’ inability to finish defensive possessions also cost them, with New York grabbing a +12 advantage on the glass overall.
Effort and communication, staples of Boston’s success in recent years, looked suspect. Whether it was late closeouts, missed assignments on switches, or just a lack of urgency, the Celtics failed to play with the desperation needed in a swing playoff game. The 25 assists by the Knicks compared to Boston’s 15 further illustrated how one team was executing with rhythm and purpose, while the other was stuck in the mud.
2. Jayson Tatum’s Injury Casts Long Shadow Over Celtics’ Hopes
While Jayson Tatum dropped a playoff-high 42 points in an inspired effort, his late-game injury could prove to be the defining moment of Boston’s postseason. With under three minutes left, Tatum crumpled to the court clutching his leg, and the air left the Celtics’ bench. His exit not only ended any chance at a late rally but also leaves Boston with a massive question heading into Game 5: Can they even compete without him?
Tatum’s value to the Celtics can’t be overstated. He was efficient (shooting 48.1% as a team), dynamic from three (Boston went 18-for-48), and a steadying force while others around him struggled to create. Without him on the floor, Boston’s offensive options become far more limited, especially given Jaylen Brown’s inconsistencies and the lack of playmaking depth behind Derrick White and Jrue Holiday.
The emotional toll may be just as damaging as the strategic one. Losing their best player in a must-win situation would challenge any team’s psyche. And with the Knicks now carrying all the momentum and the Celtics possibly facing elimination without their franchise cornerstone, the hill just became Everest-sized.
3. Knicks Dominated the Paint and the Boards
For all of Boston’s talent and shooting depth, this game was lost where playoff games are often decided: the paint. The Celtics were hammered inside, giving up 64 points in the paint to their own 32, a staggering disparity that reflects both schematic flaws and physical shortcomings. New York repeatedly drove the ball, crashed the boards, and finished through contact while the Celtics offered little resistance.
The rebounding numbers tell the same story. Boston was outrebounded 43-31, including a brutal 13-7 margin on the offensive glass. That differential gave the Knicks multiple extra possessions, which they often turned into points or fouls that kept Boston on their heels. With Mitchell Robinson injured and out, the Celtics still couldn’t win the interior battle, a concern that reflects poor box-out discipline and a lack of frontcourt presence.
In a playoff series, physicality and control of the paint can often outweigh perimeter shooting, and that’s exactly what unfolded in Game 4. The Knicks bullied the Celtics inside, set the tone from the opening tip, and exploited every soft spot in Boston’s defense. If the Celtics can’t match that toughness, their postseason could be over far sooner than expected.
