NEW YORK, NY — As Boston Celtics clash with New York Knicks for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals today, NBA fans eagerly await the outcome at Madison Square Garden. With the Knicks leading the series 2-0 after a thrilling last-minute victory in Game 2, the stakes are high for both teams.
The game kicked off on May 10, 2025, with Boston aiming to recover from back-to-back disappointing losses at home, including a narrow defeat of 91-90 at the hands of the Knicks. Now faced with elimination, the Celtics started strong, building a double-digit lead early in the first half.
Mitchell Robinson, center for the Knicks, found himself at the free-throw line, finally converting after a series of misses, igniting the crowd’s excitement. However, the Celtics held a significant 36-20 lead at the end of the first quarter, powered by a series of three-pointers that saw them score 6-of-7 from beyond the arc. Jaylen Brown led Boston’s charge with 7 points in that quarter.
“We came out on fire,” Brown said in a post-game interview. “Our shooting was clicking, and we need to keep that momentum going if we want to get back in the series.”
As the first quarter progressed, tensions ramped up as Robinson battled to secure rebounds against the powerful Celtics. Despite his efforts, Boston’s strategy to target his fouls paid off, as they effectively minimized his impact on the offensive boards.
Boston’s head coach Joe Mazzulla revealed, “We need to take advantage of our shooting and control the paint. We’ve been working on our spacing to give our shooters room to operate.”
Despite trailing, the Knicks aimed for rebounds and second-chance points, a crucial element for their success in previous games. As the action heated up, Derrick White banked in a point, stretching the Celtics’ lead to 12, showcasing their solid shooting percentage of 53% in the first quarter.
Kristaps Porziņģis struggled to find rhythm, unable to assert influence over the game. His coaching team recognized this need and adjusted strategies to ensure he could effectively play off Robinson. “We have to get him going early, or we’ll risk losing momentum,” one assistant coach noted.
Game 3 is crucial for Boston, as a win would keep their playoff hopes alive, while for New York, a 3-0 lead would be a historic advantage. The Celtics faced internal pressure after falling at home, and fans rallied around their team in hopes of avoiding an early exit from the playoffs.
As tip-off approached, fans were reminded that the Celtics still had strength in their roster, with no players listed on the injury report. The excitement in Madison Square Garden reflected a vibrant energy as supporters cheered for their teams.
Fans nationwide can watch the game on ABC or stream via ESPN and YouTube TV, with highlights and reactions flooding social media ahead of the highly anticipated match.
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