©David Butler II - Imagn Images
They won the series, but the New York Knicks did not play up to their potential against a feisty Detroit Pistons team in their Eastern Conference First Round win, 4-2. They found a way to win the series, but everyone agreed that if they played like that against the powerhouse Boston Celtics, it would be a quick series and their season would be over.
But, the New York Knicks silenced the haters, at least for a game, on Monday, polishing off a 20-point second-half comeback with an overtime 108-105 win. After the game, Knicks fans back in New York were going completely nuts outside of Madison Square Garden, home of the New York Knicks.
It looked like it would be a blowout win for the heavily-favored and defending champion Boston Celtics. It was close through the first eighteen minutes or so, with a ton of lead changes. But, Boston took control and went into halftime up sixteen, 61-45. They extended that lead into the early parts of the third quarter, but the Knicks went on a ferocious run and took the lead late in the game. They had a great look to win the game in regulation, but Jalen Brunson missed an open layup at the buzzer.
The Knicks significantly outplayed the Celtics in overtime, though, and got a huge Game 1 road win. The Celtics were just 15-60 for three, the second-most missed threes in NBA Playoffs history.
Even with the Game 1 win, the Knicks are still underdogs in the series. but, that didn’t stop Knicks fans from going nuts.
The view inside MSG when the Knicks won in OT 🎉
Via @nyknicks | #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/x8hjOgxEQL
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) May 6, 2025
LIVE look outside MSG. Bonkers!
If this Knicks team ever won a championship, I can’t imagine what outside MSG would look like. pic.twitter.com/eYhbYIJU7o
— Jake Asman (@JakeAsman) May 6, 2025
Electric Scenes outside of Madison Square Garden #MSG #Knicks pic.twitter.com/PAfpOuXB8I
— Anthony Tornatore™ (@a_tornatore) May 6, 2025
The Knicks now have home court advantage in the series, meaning they just need to win their three home games to win the series. But, against Boston, the best road team in basketball this year, that’s easier said than done.