Knicks Stun Boston Again: Mikal Bridges Steals the Show… Literally
The Knicks did it again! On a night when nothing seemed to fall, when Jalen Brunson couldn’t buy a bucket, when Mikal Bridges looked lost for three quarters, when all hope seemed lost for New York basketball, the Knicks walked into TD Garden and walked out with a 91–90 win. This wasn't just another playoff victory, it was a statement. A statement that this team, doubted and dismissed all year, has heart, grit, and one of the most fearless defenses in the league. Game Two wasn’t just about taking a 2–0 lead, it was about proving that the Game One overtime win wasn’t a fluke. It was about showing they belong.
Let’s set the scene. New York came into Game Two with a golden opportunity to steal both games on the road and put all the pressure on the top-seeded Celtics. For most of the night, it didn’t feel golden. It felt like iron. Heavy, unrelenting, and cold. The Knicks were ice-cold from the floor, struggling to string together any rhythm. Boston’s defense was physical and relentless. New York’s turnovers piled up, and second-chance points by the Celtics only made matters worse. Even Jalen Brunson, the hero of Game One, had only seven points by halftime and looked visibly frustrated.
Boston’s defense was focused, their energy high, and their strategy seemed sound. Meanwhile, New York’s shots weren’t falling, and the offense looked out of sync. The Celtics built a 13-point lead early in the fourth quarter and had the Knicks on the ropes. TD Garden was rocking. Fans were sensing a comfortable split heading back to New York, and it looked like the Celtics were finally settling in. Jaylen Brown looked far more confident, and even with their three-point shooting woes, Boston found ways to attack the interior.
Then something clicked for the Knicks. The Celtics went seven full minutes without a single field goal, missing thirteen straight shots. The door opened ever so slightly, and New York kicked it down. A 21–2 run flipped the entire feel of the game. Karl-Anthony Towns once again showed why his presence has been a massive key for New York this postseason, recording his fourth straight double-double and staying solid on defense against Jayson Tatum. Josh Hart, once again the unsung hero, led the team with 23 points and countless hustle plays that energized the Knicks during the comeback.
Brunson slowly found his groove, hitting timely buckets and running the offense with more poise. Mikal Bridges, who had missed his first eight shots, woke up at the perfect time. Bridges has been identified as a key contributor for New York if they want to go far this postseason. In the most important moments of the game, he did just that. He knocked down three straight jumpers to start the fourth and added a total of 14 points, all coming in that final quarter. Every possession felt like a war, every rebound a battle. Boston looked stunned, and suddenly, the Knicks found themselves with the lead.
With under ten seconds left and the Knicks clinging to a one-point edge, Boston had one final possession. The ball was in Tatum’s hands, and TD Garden braced for the star to deliver. Instead, he met Mikal Bridges. Just like he had done to Jaylen Brown at the end of Game One, Bridges made the defining defensive play of the night. He anticipated Tatum’s move from behind, timed the swipe perfectly, and ripped the ball clean to seal the win. It was a repeat of Game One’s ending, only this time with a new victim and even more pressure.
This win wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t smooth or efficient. It was gritty, physical, and raw. Exactly what playoff basketball demands. New York didn’t play their best game, yet they walked off the court victorious. Now up 2–0 and heading back to Madison Square Garden, the Knicks have flipped this series on its head. Confidence is sky-high, and New York basketball is alive and thriving.
