Celtics Dominate Game 3, Take 2-1 Series Lead Over Knicks
Celtics Dominate Game 3, Take 2-1 Series Lead Over Knicks...
The Boston Celtics secured a crucial 112-94 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Tuesday night. Jayson Tatum led the charge with 32 points, while Jaylen Brown added 25 as the Celtics regained home-court advantage at Madison Square Garden.
This matchup is trending nationally as one of the NBA’s most heated rivalries reignites in the postseason. The Celtics' dominant performance comes after a Game 2 loss that had raised questions about their playoff readiness. ESPN reports ticket prices for Game 4 have surged 40% following tonight’s result.
New York struggled offensively, with Jalen Brunson limited to 18 points on 6-of-17 shooting. The Knicks now face mounting pressure heading into Saturday’s Game 4, where another loss would put them on the brink of elimination. MSG Network analysts noted the Celtics’ defensive adjustments effectively neutralized New York’s pick-and-roll game.
Social media erupted with reactions to Derrick White’s career playoff-high 7 assists and Al Horford’s clutch fourth-quarter three-pointers. The Celtics shot 48% from beyond the arc, their best postseason performance since 2022. NBA Twitter debates whether Boston can maintain this level of play when the series returns to TD Garden for Game 5.
With viewership peaking at 8.3 million during the third quarter (per Nielsen), this game marked the most-watched first-round playoff broadcast this year. The intensity spilled over in the final minutes when Marcus Smart and Julius Randle received double technicals after a heated exchange. League officials are reviewing the incident but don’t expect suspensions.
Coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters postgame: “We played Celtics basketball tonight – aggressive, disciplined, and together.” The team’s 22 assists and only 9 turnovers demonstrated improved ball movement after criticism of their isolation-heavy Game 2 approach. Sportsbooks now list Boston as -180 series favorites.
Knicks fans voiced frustration on WFAN radio calls, particularly about the team’s 12-of-42 three-point shooting. Coach Tom Thibodeau acknowledged the offensive struggles but emphasized defensive breakdowns: “We gave up too many easy baskets in transition.” The series continues to draw attention as one of only two Eastern Conference matchups not projected to end in a sweep.
ABC will broadcast Game 4 on Saturday at 3:30 PM ET, with ESPN reporting both teams expect key reserves (Robert Williams for Boston, Quentin Grimes for New York) to return from injuries. The winner of this series will face either the Cavaliers or Magic in the second round.
