Knicks Overcome 20-Point Deficits to Lead Celtics 2-0 in Eastern Semifinals

The Boston Celtics, entering the 2025 NBA playoffs as defending champions and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, have a storied history with 18 NBA championships, the most of any franchise. In their current Eastern Conference semifinal series against the New York Knicks, the Celtics have suffered unprecedented collapses, blowing multiple 20-point leads in consecutive games—an occurrence never before seen in playoff history. The Knicks, showing remarkable resilience, have mounted back-to-back 20-point comebacks to take a commanding 2-0 series lead, highlighting Boston's struggles with shooting and maintaining composure under pressure. Key Celtics players, including Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, have struggled offensively, shooting below their usual standards, leading to a series of long-range misses and turnovers reminiscent of Boston's past playoff difficulties against teams like Miami and Golden State. The Celtics' inability to adapt their offense in critical moments has drawn criticism, contrasting sharply with their dominance throughout NBA history and their recent championship run in 2024. As the series continues, the Celtics face a significant challenge to reclaim their championship form against a determined Knicks squad.