Knicks Show Grit in Overtime Win Against Boston

Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals wasn’t just a battle, it was a statement. While the Knicks didn’t walk out of TD Garden with a comfortable win, they walked out with something far more valuable: belief. The belief is that they can hang with and even outplay the top-seeded Celtics. After falling behind by twenty points early, New York clawed back to stun Boston 108–105 in overtime and take a 1–0 lead in the series. Reminding everyone of their toughness in the postseason once again.

Jayson Tatum came out blazing, scoring 13 of Boston’s first 19 points. From deep to mid-range jumpers to fearless drives, it felt like everything he touched turned to gold. However, if you’re a Knicks fan, you’ve seen this movie before. One star player getting hot doesn’t mean the whole team’s going to run away with it. Especially not when New York is involved.

Early on, it was tough sledding offensively. Both teams struggled to find a rhythm, but Boston’s defense was locked in. They cut off passing lanes and made New York work for every look. The Knicks couldn’t even crack fifty points by halftime. A number that felt more like a boxing scorecard than a playoff game.

Still, there were signs of life. Miles McBride gave New York energy off the bench, hitting timely shots and making smart reads. However, the real concern was Jalen Brunson. Through seventeen minutes, he had just two points. A rare sight for the guy who carried the Knicks through the First Round. Karl-Anthony Towns, who looked aggressive early, got tangled up in foul trouble, robbing the Knicks of a huge mismatch against Jaylen Brown. That said, Towns still played disciplined defense when it mattered most and deserves credit for his presence on that end despite the whistles.

Even with Towns on the bench, New York refused to go away. Jaylen Brown, who had just one point in the first quarter, started to heat up late in the second quarter. Scoring over Brunson and Josh Hart on back-to-back possessions. However, Boston never fully pulled away, thanks to the Knicks’ gritty play and defensive poise. Kristaps Porziņģis struggled early inside against New York’s physicality. While Boston’s depth showed flashes, Jrue Holiday and others picked up the slack while Tatum sat. However, the Knicks remained right there. The longer the game stayed close, the more the Celtics' composure started to crack.

Coming out of the locker room, the Knicks looked like a different team. They tightened up defensively, communicated better, and most importantly found their rhythm offensively. Brunson began to heat up, using crafty footwork and hesitation moves to create space. The moment he freed himself from Holiday, one of the league’s top defenders, and buried a stepback three over Al Horford to take a 94–91 lead, it felt like a shift. Then just like that, Brunson did it again. Isolated with Horford, he danced into another three to stretch the lead to 97–91 with under three minutes to go. The Garden was silent. Knicks fans around the world are buzzing at this moment. They’ve proven they have what it takes to compete with the very best the NBA has to offer.

With the score tied at 100 in the final seconds, Brunson had a chance to win it in regulation after shaking off Holiday for an open floater, but it rimmed out. The game went to overtime, but New York didn’t blink. Josh Hart, who’d been relentless all night, racked up eleven rebounds, fighting on the glass against much bigger bodies. Derrick White deserves credit too on Boston’s side, crashing the boards hard. However, Hart’s hustle kept New York alive during critical moments.

Then came the Iron Man, Mikal Bridges. Logging over fifty minutes, Bridges delivered one of the game’s signature sequences. Ripping the ball from Jaylen Brown in the corner before Al Horford could get it, and igniting a fast break that led to a thunderous OG Anunoby dunk. Bridges wasn’t done. Moments later, OG kicked it back to him in the corner, where Bridges buried a cold-blooded three to give the Knicks a 106–100 lead in overtime. It was a full team effort, but when the lights got brighter, Bridges rose higher. With the Celtics pressing, Brown tried to make a late push, only for Bridges to once again impose his will. He flat-out ripped the ball away from Brown on the last possession of the game. Snatching Boston’s hope and sealing the Knicks’ 108–105 victory dramatically.

This wasn’t just a win. It was a gut-check, character-building moment that showcased New York’s resilience, versatility, and belief in each other. Down twenty on the road. Tatum cooking early and brown is heating up late. It was a game that should’ve slipped away from the Knicks, but it didn’t. Game One is in the books, and the Knicks hold a 1–0 series lead. The message is clear: this team is for real. They’re not backing down from anyone, especially the defending champions.