The New York Knicks stormed back from a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to defeat the Boston Celtics 121-113, putting themselves on the cusp of eliminating the reigning NBA champions from the playoffs. Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks, scoring 39 points, as they took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-final.
The Celtics started strong, with Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard leading the charge. Tatum, a six-time All-Star, scored 42 points before being carried off the court in the fourth quarter with a lower body injury. Coach Joe Mazzulla described the injury as "lower body" and said that Tatum will undergo an MRI on Tuesday to determine the extent of the damage. The injury was a significant blow to the Celtics, who are now on the brink of elimination.
The Knicks, meanwhile, found their rhythm in the third quarter, taking an 88-85 lead into the final period. Brunson controlled matters, and when OG Anunoby grabbed a steal off Tatum in the incident that left the Celtics star writhing in pain, the Knicks were able to pull away, taking a 118-106 lead. Brunson downplayed his performance, saying "I wasn't really trying to take over. It was just 'whatever we've gotta do'."
The Knicks can clinch the series with a win in Boston on Thursday, and will be looking to take advantage of the Celtics' injury woes. For the Celtics, the loss was a tough blow, and coach Mazzulla acknowledged that his team will need to regroup and refocus for game five. "We're concerned about his health and where's he's at," Mazzulla said of Tatum. "And then we're concerned what we've got to do better in game five."
