Jalen Brunson Ignites as Knicks Battle Celtics: Inside the Shooting Showdown!

Highlights from the New York Knicks’ thrilling 108–105 comeback victory in overtime against the Boston Celtics in the first game of the Eastern Conference semifinals…

Is Jalen Brunson the ultimate game finisher?

Absolutely. Following his dazzling performance against Ausar Thompson that concluded the Detroit Pistons’ hopes in Game 6 of the first-round series, Brunson showcased his exceptional skills in the latter half of Monday’s game. He netted 20 points on 10 shots in the second half and tallied 11 in the fourth quarter from just five attempts. Brunson orchestrated a remarkable 20-point rally with 18 minutes remaining against one of the top defensive teams in the NBA (Boston was fourth in defensive rating), even while being guarded by one of the league’s best defenders, Jrue Holiday.

In Game 1, Brunson lived up to his title as the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year.

“He thrives in these moments,” said Mikal Bridges. “He relishes the role of being the man, especially in away games, quieting the crowd and leading us to victory. It’s just in his nature.”

At a listed height of 6′ 2″ and predominantly playing below the rim, Brunson’s ability to dominate late in the game is extraordinary. It wasn’t only Holiday who struggled against him; elite defenders like Derrick White and Payton Pritchard also fell victim. Even against big men like Al Horford, known for their perimeter defense, Brunson was unstoppable, burning past whoever stood in his way.

“He’s a master of the basics,” remarked Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. “He’s faced bigger players and quicker, smaller opponents. He’s handled double teams well, knows how to create space, and makes the right moves without fighting the pressure. He knows how to find openings.”

“We kept telling each other to keep the faith,” Brunson stated. “We had to keep battling, stay united, and chip away at their lead. We knew there wasn’t going to be a quick, easy solution; we needed to take it one possession at a time and continue securing stops.”

Boston’s three-point strategy backfires

The statistics are well-known: a record number of three-pointers made and attempted during the regular season, with averages of 17.8 makes and 48.2 attempts per game, surpassing previous records. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla often mentions his comfort with the volume of threes his team takes, and Boston’s gameplay reflects that.

However, this approach resulted in a new record for most missed three-pointers (45) in a playoff game. The Celtics attempted 60 threes in Game 1, making only 15. In the third quarter alone, 19 of their 20 shots were from beyond the arc. Jaylen Brown made just 1 of 10, Jayson Tatum 4 of 15, while White hit 5 of 16. In the final quarter, their three-point success rate was a mere 13.3%.

“I look at the process and the quality of shots,” Mazzulla explained. “The shot quality was there. The points in the paint were even… it’s about the process and what we’re trying to achieve, and for the most part, we accomplished that.”

Boston is undeniably skilled at shooting threes, having seven players who are above-average from that range. However, a little more balance might be necessary. In Game 1, it seemed as though three-pointers were the only shots Boston wanted to take. White passed up a clear four-foot shot in the last quarter, opting instead to pass for a three. Shortly after, Horford declined a layup. Later, Brown acknowledged that some of the threes felt forced.

Despite the analytics supporting Boston’s high volume of three-point attempts—they had a 28–5 record in the regular season when attempting between 50 and 59 threes—a slight reduction might have prevented their current 0–1 series deficit.

OG Anunoby outshines Jayson Tatum

New York received significant contributions from its role players, with Anunoby’s performance being a standout. Tatum, who had excelled against the Knicks during the regular season with an average of 33.5 points per game, was limited to 23 points on 7-for-23 shooting in Game 1. Anunoby not only contained Tatum defensively but also contributed 29 points offensively. If Anunoby continues to outperform Tatum, it could spell trouble for Boston.

Mazzulla’s Missteps

Mazzulla should have encouraged his team to drive more towards the rim, acknowledging post-game that there were about “five to 10” shots that could have been better executed. However, there’s more to it. In the first half, Mazzulla used the Hack-a-Mitch strategy on Knicks center Mitchell Robinson, which proved effective: Robinson went 2-of-8 from the line, helping Boston to a 16-point lead at halftime. Yet, this tactic was abandoned in the second half, allowing the Knicks to gradually erase the deficit. They made 56% of their three-point attempts in the third quarter, closing the gap to single digits and setting the stage for a potential win.

Additionally, the play-calling was lackluster. Boston’s offense in the closing minutes consisted mostly of stepback jumpers and contested threes. Mazzulla failed to call a timeout early in Boston’s last possession in overtime, allowing the Knicks to use their final foul with just three seconds remaining. After taking two timeouts, the best Boston could muster was a crosscourt pass to a heavily guarded Brown, which was intercepted by Bridges, sealing the Knicks’ victory.

Is this an anomaly or a harbinger?

Historically, teams that win the first game of a playoff series go on to win the series 75.6% of the time. However, during the regular season, the Celtics dominated the Knicks, sweeping them 4–0, including two victories by more than 23 points and three by double digits. On paper, Boston should still be optimistic about their chances.

Yet, there are concerns. Kristaps Porzingis was not effective in the first half and missed the second due to illness. It remains to be seen if this illness is related to the upper respiratory condition that sidelined him for eight games in the latter half of the season. Additionally, Brown, playing through a knee injury, seemed a step slower. While a fully healthy Boston is still the superior team, their current health raises doubts about their ability to compete at full strength.