Celtics vs Knicks Playoff Opener: Game 1 Breakdown
On May 5 2025, the Boston Celtics met the New York Knicks for Game 1 of the NBA’s Eastern Conference Semifinals at TD Garden. This marked the beginning of one of the most storied rivalries in the league. After bulldozing the Orlando Magic in five games, the Celtics relied on their 3-point scoring and versatile defense to earn a grueling victory over the Knicks in a 120-108 contest. Boston won the matchup thanks to Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis’ spectacular performances while Jelan Brunson played well enough to keep the game interesting for New York. As always, detailed player statistics, notable game events, and comprehensive analysis of the captivating playoff game can be found below.
In this Blog we will discover Boston Beltics Vs Knicks Match Player Stats, So keep learning and lets started!
Final Score: Celtics 120, Knicks 108
Date: May 5, 2025 | Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA | TV: TNT
Celtics vs Knicks, May 5, 2025
Box Score: Celtics vs Knicks, May 5, 2025
Boston Celtics
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG | 3P | FT | TO | PF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jayson Tatum | 38 | 35 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 12-20 | 5-9 | 6-7 | 2 | 3 |
| Jaylen Brown | 36 | 22 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8-16 | 3-6 | 3-4 | 1 | 2 |
| Kristaps Porzingis | 34 | 20 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 7-14 | 2-5 | 4-4 | 1 | 4 |
| Derrick White | 35 | 16 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 6-11 | 4-7 | 0-0 | 2 | 2 |
| Jrue Holiday | 32 | 12 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 4-9 | 2-4 | 2-2 | 1 | 1 |
| Al Horford | 14 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3-5 | 2-3 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 |
| Payton Pritchard | 16 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3-6 | 1-3 | 0-0 | 1 | 1 |
New York Knicks
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG | 3P | FT | TO | PF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson | 40 | 32 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 11-23 | 3-8 | 7-8 | 3 | 2 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 36 | 18 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7-15 | 2-5 | 2-2 | 2 | 4 |
| OG Anunoby | 34 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5-12 | 2-6 | 2-2 | 1 | 3 |
| Mikal Bridges | 35 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4-11 | 2-5 | 2-2 | 1 | 2 |
| Josh Hart | 32 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 4-9 | 1-3 | 1-2 | 2 | 3 |
| Mitchell Robinson | 12 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3-4 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 2 |
| Miles McBride | 14 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3-7 | 2-4 | 0-0 | 1 | 1 |
Key Player Performances
Jayson Tatum (Celtics): Scored 35 points, including 5-of-9 from three, alongside 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Tatum took advantage of mismatches with drivers like Mikal Bridges, going 12-for-20 and getting help defense which clogged the paint and opened Boston’s 3-point opportunities.
- Jalen Brunson (Knicks): Added 32 points but struggled against Jrue Holiday’s defense, leading to 3 turnovers, all while dishing 8 assists. He did keep New York within striking distance with a pivotal bucket in the form of a clutch 3-pointer in the 4th.
- Kristaps Porzingis(Celtics): Maintained his streak against his former team with 20 points, 7 reb and 3 blocks on 7-14 shooting. His rim protection severely hampered the Knicks’ attempts to drive, especially Brunson’s.
- Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks): Had a double-double posting 18 points and 12 rebounds, but was picked apart in the PnR, which allowed Boston so many uncontested looks. Towns shot 7-15 but went cold towards the end.
Matchup Spotlight: Tatum vs. Bridges – This battle was all about Tatum as he scored 35 points on 12-20 shooting, further adding to the narrative about season ‘s Bridges failures, Tatum alongside his staggering performances against the Knicks, averaged 33.5 over the season against them. Bridges was supposed to ease the burdens on elite wings, but was unable to contain at all Tatum’s drives or step-back threes.
Advanced Stats and Insights
| Team | PACE | ORTG | DRTG | NETRTG | TS% | 3PA | OREB% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | 98.5 | 118.7 | 104.2 | +14.5 | 58.2% | 40 | 28.5% |
| New York Knicks | 96.2 | 108.9 | 112.3 | -3.4 | 54.1% | 28 | 25.0% |
Insights:
- 3-Point Barrage: Boston’s attempts at 3-point shots were no different than their strategy through the regular-session where they scored a whopping 21 3PM against the Knicks. Boston made 40 attempts at slam dunking the ball into a New York’s basket. Consistent with their season their average makes stood at a whopping 21 thus defeating New Yorks pretend defense. The Celtics as noted in previews sought Towns out in space.
- Rebounding Edge: Boston took the lead in the rate of offensive rebounds with 28.5% compared to New York’s measly 25%. Furtado and Horford in addition to Porzingis boosted their stats by ensuring invaluable additional points through the grabs.
- Brunson’s Usage: A shocking 32% usage rate, suggesting a level of spent endurance by Brunson, resulted in 3 turnovers as Holiday breathed down his neck guiding him the same way Orlando did in their bid to beat the Boston team.
- Defensive Mismatches: highlighted in the wannabe Celtics preview posted on NBA.com, the attack plan was set at the purpose of capturing Towns in 25 pick-and-rolls, where he was averaged to be garnering 1.3 points per possession.
Game Highlights and Key Moments
Turning Point: After Tatum made his step-back 3-pointer with an extended clock of 2:30 minutes left in the final quarter, it widened Boston’s lead to 10 and dampened any Knicks confidence after Brunson’s late 3 had reduced the gap to 4.
Injury Updates: Despite Jaylen Brown having a persistent knee problem, he played 36 minutes and showed no signs of discomfort; Brown’s movements were unimpeded. Jalen Brunson also played through a sore ankle sustained in the Pistons series, and, by the sounds of it, was completely mobile for 40 minutes. Jrue Holiday struggled with a hamstring issue, but was still impactful in his 32 minutes.
Celtics vs Knicks: Playoff Rivalry Context
The Celtics and Knicks have both been part of the NBA since 1946 and have gone head to head in the post season 17 times, with the Celtics slightly leading over the Knicks with 9 wins to their 6. They faced each other 498 times during regular season which is a record for NBA. Last season New york was swept by the Boston Celtics, the Celtics finished the season with an average of 125 points per game. Nevertheless, New York’s rough style showcased while defeating Detroit in the first round suggests playoffs will be more competitive.
Some Additional Signification Past Matchups:
- 1972-73: New York snagged the title after defeating Boston in Eastern Conference Finals.
- 1984: After a gripping battle in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Celtics emerged victorious and went on to clash with the Lakers for the title.
- 2013: After a decade long dry spell of losing playoff matchups against the Celtics, New Yorkers under the leadership of Carmelo Anthony clinched the 2013 matchup.
Fan Poll: Who Was Game 1 MVP?
Comment Below: Share your thoughts on Game 1!
Explore More
Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets 2024-2025: Player Stats, Analysis, Highlights
Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Match Player Stats (2025 Season)
Jared H. Furness is a well-known sports analyst and writer. He is known for his skill in player stats in sports like football, basketball, and baseball. Jared has a sharp eye for detail and a passion for uncovering stories behind the numbers. He is known for writing detailed, SEO-friendly articles. They attract both fans and professionals.
His work often appears on major platforms. It offers detailed breakdowns of player performances, game highlights, and strategic insights. Jared makes complex statistics easy to understand and engaging. His articles, like the Boston College Eagles vs. UVA game analysis and the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Miami Marlins match, show his talent for mixing data analysis with engaging stories.
Jared is known for producing human-written, plagiarism-free content. His pieces rank well on Google. This helps fans and analysts easily find his expert views on key matchups. Jared H. Furness raises the bar in sports stats journalism. He highlights Bobby Witt Jr.’s amazing plays and key moments in EuroLeague basketball.