Knicks Eliminate Celtics in Six-Game Eastern Conference Semifinal

The Boston Celtics were eliminated from the NBA playoffs after a decisive 119-81 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, ending their bid for back-to-back championships. Star player Jayson Tatum's season-ending Achilles injury in Game 4 significantly weakened the Celtics, leaving Jaylen Brown to lead the team, though he fouled out in the third quarter of the final game. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged the team's defeat but praised their effort and mindset throughout the season, noting they ran into a superior Knicks squad. Jaylen Brown expressed deep disappointment, describing the loss as feeling like "death," but also conveyed hope and resilience, assuring fans that the team will be ready for the future despite the challenges ahead. The Celtics face an uncertain offseason with salary cap constraints and questions about how to rebuild, but both Brown and Mazzulla encourage optimism about the team's potential moving forward. The Knicks' strong defensive performance and ability to overcome early deficits were key factors in their victory and Boston's early exit.