Knicks Champion as Brunson’s Free Throws Seal Game 2 Victory

BOSTON, MA — Jalen Brunson made critical free throws with 12.7 seconds left, helping the New York Knicks beat the Boston Celtics 91-90 on Wednesday night. This win gives New York a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The game was competitive, with the Knicks overcoming a 20-point deficit in the third quarter to secure the victory. Josh Hart led New York with 23 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 21 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. Bridges, who scored all of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, played a significant role in the comeback.

Brunson, who finished the game with 17 points and seven assists, described the situation during the foul shots: “I got up there, heard the noise and then I just tried to block everything out. And then I made two.”

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau praised his team’s effort, saying, “We started slowly, got in a big hole, dug our way out, and then guys made a lot of tough plays. (Our players) were at their best when their best was needed down the stretch.”

For Boston, Derrick White and Jaylen Brown both scored 20 points. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged the Knicks’ performance, stating, “They made the necessary plays to win. We put ourselves in position to do that, and we just didn’t make the plays down the stretch.”

The Celtics had previously led 24-13 after the first quarter and maintained a 50-41 advantage at halftime. However, they struggled late, allowing the Knicks to rally back. Tatum, who averaged nearly 27 points per game in the regular season, was limited to just 13 points but managed to grab 14 rebounds.

After Boston briefly reclaimed the lead 90-89 on Tatum’s dunk in the final seconds, Brunson’s free throws ultimately sealed the game for New York. Game 3 of the series is scheduled for Saturday in New York.