The NBA playoffs continue to flow as teams shoot hoops for the championship title. The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, battling it out on the courts, conclude in a dramatic ending in Game 3. The playoff series had the Celtics enter with 0-2, with the only option to dominate the performance to continue the season. Bringing a heavy comeback, the Celtics won the game and the Knicks, although winning Game 1 and Game 2, lost the momentum. While a joyous moment for the Celtics, there is uproar from Knicks fans who feel the referees took a side.
Knicks-Celtics first half of Game 3
Not wanting to leave the playoffs from a 0-3 performance, the Celtics came back to Game 3 with the motivation to win. The Celtics led with 71-46 in the first half of the game, setting the energy for the game, showing a great offensive performance. Ensuring the team stays on top, Jaylen Brown started with 17 points, five rebounds and three assists, and Jayson Tatum scored 14 points, had three assists and two rebounds before half time.
Introducing a new strategy to the team, the Celtics improved their three-point shooting skills and went 20-of-40 shot selection after their shaky Game 1 and Game 2. Naming them the winners of the game, Payton Pritchard’s 23 point off the bench contribution added to the win along with Tatum end of game 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
The performance of the New York Knicks demonstrated inferiority compared to the Boston Celtics; however, star players, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson looked past the strength of the Celtics and brought a combination of 25 points in the first half. Initially leading 2-0, the Knicks lacked the energy they had against the Celtics.
The accusation faced by the Knick-Celtics game refs
The Boston Celtics made a great comeback in their Game 3 of the playoffs against the New York Knicks, however that couldn’t surpass the controversial talks. On the sidelines, cheering for the Knicks, there was much opposition about the way the refs handled the game and their supposed favour for the Boston Celtics. Trending social media comments included “Refs got the Celtics” and “Will the refs let Boston do anything they want all day”.
Alluding that the referees wanted the Celtics to stay in the game, the tension of the game just picked up a notch. The Knicks coach, Tom Thibodeau, chose to not follow the controversial voices, saying that the Knicks’ defence was slacking. They were unable to block opposing shoots and keep the ball on their game and while the referees are assumed to favour the Celtics, acknowledging the Knicks shorthand is important.
The Knicks’ historic comebacks and Playoff series update
The New York Knicks played the first two games of the series with so much power and entering Game 3, the same momentum was expected from fans. Coming home with 108-105 from Game 1 and 91-90 in Game 2, player Mikal Bridges showed strength in both making sure he gains points for the crucial last moments of the games. The Knicks left game 3 upstaged by the Celtics and fans aren’t happy.
With the Celtics their all to continue to Game 4, the Celtics changed their strategy, and it seems the Knicks will have to follow suit. Creating a 31-point game at some point of the game, the Celtics made sure the Knicks would not catch up. Shortfalls from the Knicks occurred from multiple players with previously strong players such as OG Anunoby only scoring two points.
The same can’t be said for Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson who played their utmost best in the beginning, however failing to keep the momentum as the game progressed. While the Knicks lost Game 3, Josh Hart encourages the team to piece the puzzles and work on their plan for Game 4. Will the Celtics continue as they played in Game 3 or are the Knicks going to ensure no-return for the Celtics?
One of the best comebacks in the 2024-25 Playoffs occurred in Game 3 from the Boston Celtics against the New York Knicks. With many shocked, some feel there was an advantage from referee favouritism and others simply applauded the Celtics. Entering the game with 2-0, it was only natural for the Celtics to feel the pressure to win the game. Starting off their game with a lead, the Celtics continued to do so with the improvement of their defence and shooting. As the games continue, many wonder if the Knicks will return to their series leading wins or will the Celtics aim for another moment.
