The New York Knicks made NBA playoff history on Wednesday with an unlikely comeback win against the Boston Celtics in Game 2. During an epic clash at the TD Garden, the Knicks shocked fans and critics alike with their second straight victory in the series, resulting in a raw reaction from Jalen Brunson after hitting a pair of game-winning free throws.
“I’m happy we found a way to win, that’s some wild stuff right there,” said Brunson. “I got up there, heard the noise, and tried to block everything out, and then made two. We’re just gonna keep fighting, focus on each other, focus on us, focus on one thing at a time, and get ready for Game 3.”
The 91-90 win marks the first time in NBA history that a team has blown back-to-back 20-point leads in the same series, and it’s completely turned the trajectory of the series. With the Knicks headed back to MSG, head coach Tom Thibodeau says his team will need to maintain its mental toughness to close out the series.
“You get to the playoffs, and it’s about your mental toughness, your defense, and your teamwork,” said Thibs. “And always having the belief that you can do something better and you can find a way to win.”
The Celtics are in full panic mode after falling into a 2-0 hole on their home court. Unless they can find a way to rally on the road, this series is over, and they will face a long and bitter offseason. For now, Joe Mazzulla will do everything he can to prepare his team to make one last stand in Madison Square Garden, where they went 2-0 in the regular season.
With a lead down the stretch and support from their home crowd, the Celtics had everything they needed to close the game and tie the series at 1-1. Instead, costly mistakes down the stretch left an opening for the Knicks, which Brunson exposed to the fullest extent.
During the regular season, Brunson was huge in the Knicks’ success, with averages of 26.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game on 48.8% shooting. His leadership and shot-making took the Knicks to the third-best record in the East with a total of 51 wins. In Game 1, Brunson was off by his standards, but he stepped up when needed with 17 points, three rebounds, and seven assists on 31.6% shooting in 37 minutes.
Heading back to New York City, the Knicks have an opportunity to end this series with a win on Saturday, which would put them up 3-0 in the series. If not, the Knicks still feel good about their chances to win, given that they’ve taken two straight wins in hostile territory.
As always, the key to success for New York rests on Brunson’s shoulders, and if he can carry his team to two more wins, it will set the Knicks on a path they haven’t seen in 20 years. Fortunately, in what has been a wild post-season, Brunson is feeling confident in his team, and he’s learned how to tune out the outside noise to focus solely on the mission at hand.
