Knicks Push Celtics to Brink with Game 4 Victory

NEW YORK — The New York Knicks defeated the Boston Celtics 121-113 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on May 12, 2025, putting them one win away from reaching the conference finals for the first time in 25 years. Star player Jalen Brunson led the charge with 39 points and 12 assists.

With 2:58 left in the game, Celtics’ Jayson Tatum fell to the court, suffering a potential right leg injury. The extent of Tatum’s injury remains uncertain, casting doubt on his availability for the remainder of the series.

The Knicks now lead the series 3-1 and can close it out in Game 5 on Wednesday night in Boston. Following a disappointing Game 3 where the Knicks were blown out, they showed a sense of urgency and rallied in the second half. Brunson scored 18 points in the third quarter alone, helping the Knicks outscore the Celtics 37-23 during that period.

“I think it was a sense of urgency, desperation, just knowing that we have a great opportunity,” Brunson said after the game.

Meanwhile, the Celtics will need to make history by becoming only the 14th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit. They previously led by 20 or more points in the first two games but lost both in Boston. The Celtics were up 62-51 at halftime of Game 4 but could not maintain the advantage.

In this pivotal game, Brunson received solid support from teammates Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, who each added 23 points. The Knicks turned a tense late-game situation into a decisive victory, taking control with an 11-0 run that put them up 116-104.

As the Celtics prepare for the return to Boston, veteran player Al Horford remarked on the challenge ahead: “We have to turn that page quickly and do our first job, which is win on Wednesday. That’s the mindset.”

Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday at TD Garden in Boston, where the Celtics will take the court without knowing Tatum’s status.