Jalen Brunson led the New York Knicks to a crucial 121-113 victory over the Boston Celtics on Monday night in Game 4 of their NBA playoff series, moving the Knicks one win away from their first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 25 years. With the win, New York took a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, leaving the defending champion Celtics on the brink of elimination.
Brunson was outstanding, contributing 39 points and 12 assists. His performance, combined with key contributions from Mikal Bridges (23 points), Karl-Anthony Towns (23 points), and OG Anunoby (20 points), helped the Knicks erase a double-digit deficit. New York was behind 62-51 at halftime but came out in the second half with renewed energy, outscoring Boston 37-23 in the third quarter to set up a thrilling final period.
The Celtics, despite leading by 20 points early, couldn’t hold off the Knicks’ second-half surge. In the fourth quarter, the Knicks went on an 11-0 run to take control of the game and eventually seal the victory. The game was tied at 102 when Anunoby hit a three-pointer, and the Knicks’ defensive intensity and scoring burst left Boston with little chance to recover.
The Celtics have now been placed in a difficult position, needing to win three consecutive games to avoid elimination, a feat that has only been achieved 13 times in NBA history. If they are to have any hope of a comeback, they may have to do so without their All-Star forward Jayson Tatum. The Celtics star, who had been playing at an exceptional level, scoring 42 points, limped off the court with an injury in the final minutes of the game. Tatum appeared to twist or strain his leg as he lunged for a loose ball, immediately grabbing his leg in pain. He was treated by medical staff on the court and was later seen being wheeled off to the locker room with his hands covering his face, a sight that surely worried Celtics fans.
Tatum’s injury added to the mounting challenges for Boston, who had already squandered a commanding lead in the series after initially being up 2-0. The Celtics had been in control of the series in the early stages, with dominant performances in the first two games, but they couldn’t hold on in the subsequent matchups. Now, with Tatum’s health uncertain, Boston will need a remarkable effort from their remaining players if they are to mount a comeback.
The Knicks, for their part, are showing resilience and determination. Despite falling behind in the first half, they remained focused and executed their game plan to perfection in the second half. Brunson’s leadership, alongside strong performances from his teammates, has put New York in an enviable position. The Knicks’ defense was key, especially during the third-quarter rally, and they have shown that they can handle the pressure of closing out a series.
As the series shifts back to Boston for Game 5, the Knicks are confident but cautious. Brunson knows the Celtics are still a formidable opponent, despite their struggles in this series. “We’ve got to focus, that’s a great team over there,” he said. While the Knicks are on the verge of a historic achievement, they understand the challenge ahead. A win in Boston would send them to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000, but they must maintain their composure and avoid underestimating the Celtics, who are still a championship-caliber team despite their current predicament.
