Paul Pierce Blames Celtics Collapse, Not Knicks Talent, in Playoff Exit

Paul Pierce, Celtics legend, believes the Boston Celtics themselves were responsible for their upset playoff loss to the New York Knicks in the 2024-2025 Eastern Conference semifinals, rather than crediting the Knicks' talent. The Celtics blew 20-point leads in both Games 1 and 2 at home, which Pierce cites as critical failures that cost them momentum early in the series. Pierce highlighted Boston's reliance on three-point shooting as a double-edged sword, noting that while it helped them win the 2024 NBA championship, it also contributed to their collapse in this series. The Celtics' struggles were compounded by a season-ending Achilles injury to star Jayson Tatum in Game 4, further weakening the team. Following the loss, the Celtics underwent significant offseason changes, parting ways with key contributors from their championship run, and face uncertainty entering the next season. Overall, Pierce framed the defeat as a self-inflicted collapse rather than a Knicks triumph.