On May 6, the 2024-25 NBA playoffs continued, and the Eastern Conference semifinals ushered in a focus battle. The Boston Celtics played against their rival New York Knicks at the TD Garden Arena to start the first game of the series. In a fierce battle, the Knicks stubbornly dragged the game into overtime in regular time, and finally reversed the Celtics 108-105, taking the lead in this round of the series.

At the beginning of the game, both sides spared no effort on the defensive end. The first quarter was extremely intense and the score was stalemate. The Knicks ended the first quarter with a 26-25 lead. Entering the second quarter, the Celtics, who were playing at home, recovered and scored from multiple points, suppressing the Knicks' offensive for a time. With an efficient performance of 35 points in a single quarter, the Celtics took a 14-point lead at the end of the half and seemed to be in control of the game.

In the second half, the Knicks made adjustments in the midfield, increasing their defensive intensity and improving their offensive efficiency. Brunson and Anunoby scored in turn, while the Celtics stagnated on the offensive end, with cold outside shots and failed to effectively expand their advantage. At the end of the third quarter, the score difference was reduced to single digits.

In the final stage of the final quarter, the Knicks continued to chase, and Towns, Hart and others contributed key rebounds and points at the critical moment. The Knicks finally tied the score tenaciously and dragged the game into overtime. In overtime, the Knicks continued their hot state, Brunson took over the game, and finally stabilized the output at the critical moment, helping the team complete the reversal with 108-105.

Celtics player statistics

Tatum 23 points, 16 rebounds , 6 assists , 2 steals, Jaylen Brown 23 points , 7 rebounds , 5 assists, White 19 points, 11 rebounds , 2 assists , 2 blocks, Holiday 16 points , 6 rebounds , 3 assists, Pritchard 13 points, 3 rebounds , 1 assist, Horford 7 points , 7 rebounds, Kornet 4 points , 5 rebounds, Porzingis 4 rebounds , 1 assist

Knicks player statistics

Brunson 29 points, 4 rebounds , 5 assists , 2 steals, Anunoby 29 points , 4 rebounds , 3 assists, Towns 14 points , 13 rebounds , Hart 14 points , 11 rebounds, 3 assists , 2 steals , McBride 11 points , 2 rebounds, 1 assist, Bridges 8 points, 6 rebounds , 7 assists , 3 steals , 2 blocks, Robinson 3 points , 7 rebounds, Achiuwa 2 rebounds

The defeat was undoubtedly a blow to the Celtics, especially since they failed to seize the home-court advantage and the series situation was already passive. The Knicks, on the other hand, took the psychological and tactical advantage with a key away victory.