Knicks Stun the Celtics Again, Take 2-0 Lead Back to
Knicks Stun the Celtics Again, Take 2-0 Lead Back to MSG: Is New York’s Cinderella Run Turning Into a Championship Reality?
By SportHubs
Boston, MA — May 8, 2025
The echoes of disbelief were still bouncing off the walls of TD Garden as the New York Knicks walked off the floor Wednesday night — a team once dismissed, once doubted, now 48 minutes away from flipping the Eastern Conference upside down.
With a dramatic 112-107 win over the Boston Celtics, the Knicks didn’t just take Game 2 — they took control of the series. They’ve seized homecourt advantage. They’ve seized the Celtics’ swagger. And most shockingly of all, they’ve seized the attention of an NBA world that didn’t see this coming.
Jalen Brunson: The Undeniable Star of New York
Once again, it was Jalen Brunson who lit the match. The Knicks’ unshakable floor general poured in 35 points, added 7 assists, and made every clutch play down the stretch. But this wasn’t just about scoring. Brunson dictated the game’s tempo, neutralized Boston’s pressure, and delivered with poise when the crowd was begging for a Celtics run.
“You can’t measure heart,” said Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau postgame. “Jalen has it in spades. So does this whole group.”
This performance marks Brunson’s fourth straight playoff game with 30 or more points — a feat only legends like Patrick Ewing, Bernard King, and Walt Frazier have achieved in Knicks playoff history. But unlike those names from the past, Brunson isn’t just carrying New York — he’s doing it in an era where the league is loaded with superteams, analytics, and hype. He’s doing it with grit.
Boston, Suddenly on the Brink of Crisis
For the Celtics, this was supposed to be the coronation. The No. 1 seed in the East. The deepest roster. The hunger from last year’s Conference Finals loss. All the ingredients were there. But somehow, in their own house, they’ve been outworked, outhustled, and outcoached.
Jayson Tatum had 27 points, but shot just 8-of-22 and looked rushed all night. Jaylen Brown scored 24 but committed 4 turnovers and failed to make an impact in the final five minutes. Kristaps Porziņģis missed his second straight game with a calf injury — a loss the Celtics are now feeling deeply.
Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla tried to stay composed postgame but couldn’t ignore the tension.
“They’re playing with urgency. We’re not. We have to change that fast, or we’ll be going home a lot earlier than expected,” he said.
No Randle? No Problem. Knicks Are Playing With Something Bigger
The Knicks are doing this without Julius Randle. Without their second All-Star. Without a fully healthy bench. And yet, they look like the hungrier team — the better team. Josh Hart finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and played the entire second half without sitting. Donte DiVincenzo hit five threes and constantly pressured the Celtics’ backcourt. Mitchell Robinson controlled the paint. Isaiah Hartenstein battled on every possession.
It’s not flashy. It’s not highlight-reel basketball. But it is pure New York basketball — tough, blue-collar, and relentless.
From “Just Happy to Be Here” to Legitimate Threat
Let’s not forget: this team was doubted all year. They were called a second-round ceiling team. Their playoff chances were questioned when Randle went down. National media barely mentioned them when projecting the East Finals. But they’ve embraced the disrespect — and turned it into fuel.
Now they’re up 2-0 on the heavily favored Celtics. Not by accident. Not by luck. But by effort. Execution. And belief.
The Garden Awaits — and It’s Going to Be a Warzone
Game 3 will be played at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, and you can bet your life it’ll be an all-out frenzy. The Knicks haven’t led a playoff series 2-0 since 1999 — the year they shocked the world as an 8-seed and reached the NBA Finals.
This time, the crowd won’t be dreaming. They’ll be expecting.
Ticket prices are soaring. Celebrities are already posting about it. Knicks legends are on their way. And the players? They’re locked in.
“We’re not satisfied,” said Brunson. “We’re not just trying to win games. We’re trying to build something here.”
The Bigger Picture: Could This Be the Year?
It’s a question few dared to ask when the playoffs began. But now, it’s unavoidable: Could the Knicks actually win the East? Could they actually go all the way?
If they finish off Boston, they’ll be favored in a potential matchup against Cleveland or Indiana. The path is wide open. The belief is real. And most importantly, the Knicks look like a team with an identity — and a purpose.
The Bottom Line
The Celtics are on the ropes. The Knicks are swinging harder than ever. And the NBA has a new headline act — not because they talk the loudest, but because they fight the hardest.
It’s not just a 2-0 lead.
It’s a statement.
And it’s shaking the foundation of everything we thought we knew about the 2025 playoffs.
