Knicks Stun Celtics in Game 4 Thriller, Defending Champs Now on the Ropes
In what might be the biggest shock of this year's NBA playoffs, the New York Knicks just pushed the defending champion Boston Celtics to the brink. Sunday's electrifying 121-113 victory at Madison Square Garden has New York sitting pretty with a 3-1 series lead that nobody saw coming. Jalen Brunson – who's quickly becoming a Knicks legend – was simply unstoppable, dropping 39 points and dishing 12 assists in a performance that had the Garden absolutely rocking. One more win and the Knicks will reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000. Let that sink in for a moment.
From Down Big to Comeback Kings
If you turned this game off early, boy did you miss out. The Celtics looked every bit the defending champs early on, with Jayson Tatum cooking and Payton Pritchard providing an unexpected spark off the bench. When Derrick White drained a three early in the third to push Boston's lead to 14 points (72-58), the air temporarily left the Garden.
But these aren't your older brother's Knicks.
Instead of folding, something clicked for New York. Suddenly they were everywhere – grabbing rebounds, diving for loose balls, and slowly chipping away at the Boston lead. The Knicks flat-out dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Celtics 43-31, and turning 13 offensive boards into 15 second-chance points that ultimately made the difference. Mitchell Robinson was a menace inside while Karl-Anthony Towns seemed to snag every important rebound down the stretch.
Brunson's Brilliance Leads Knicks' Total Team Effort
What more can you say about Jalen Brunson? The guy who many thought wasn't worth his contract is now looking like the biggest bargain in basketball. His 39 points came in every way imaginable – step-back jumpers, crafty finishes at the rim, and timely threes when the Knicks needed them most. The most impressive part? He did it against one of the league's best defensive teams.
But this wasn't a one-man show. KAT came through with 23 points and 11 rebounds, looking completely at home in this pressure-cooker of a series. Mikal Bridges matched Towns with 23 points of his own, while OG Anunoby added 20 and played lockdown defense when it mattered most. The Knicks' second-half defensive intensity was something to behold – you could literally see the frustration building on the Celtics' faces as their clean looks disappeared.
Tatum's Heartbreaking Exit Changes Everything
The game took a devastating turn in the final minutes when Jayson Tatum – who'd been brilliant with 42 points – went down clutching his leg after Anunoby's steal. The sight of Boston's superstar being wheeled off the court cast an immediate pall over what had been an incredible game. You never want to see that, especially from a player who was leaving everything on the floor trying to save his team's season.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed Tatum will get an MRI, but the uncertainty hangs heavy over Boston's chances. Can the Celtics really mount a comeback without their best player? It's the question now looming over this series.
Game 5: Championship Mettle vs. Historic Opportunity
Wednesday's Game 5 at TD Garden has all the makings of an instant classic. For the Knicks, it's a chance to complete what would be one of the most unexpected series victories in recent memory. You can bet Tom Thibodeau is already hammering home that this series is far from over – complacency is the only enemy that could stop New York now.
For Boston, it's about pride, desperation, and championship DNA. Even potentially without Tatum, would anyone be shocked if the Celtics summoned something special to extend this series? Jaylen Brown will need to have the game of his life, and role players must step up in ways they haven't yet this series.
A Series for the Ages
What we're witnessing is the kind of playoff drama that makes the NBA so special. The Knicks have transformed from perpetual disappointments to potential Eastern Conference finalists behind Brunson's star turn and a supporting cast that's peaking at the perfect time. Meanwhile, Boston's championship defense hangs by a thread, with injury concerns adding another layer to an already compelling story.
Whether you're a die-hard Knicks fan who's waited decades for this moment or just a basketball lover enjoying the drama unfold, Wednesday's Game 5 is appointment viewing. Will the Knicks complete their shocking upset? Or do the Celtics have one more championship response in them?
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Reference: https://www.nba.com/news/celtics-knicks-takeaways-game-4-2025-nba-playoffs
