The Boston Celtics’ reliance on three-point shooting suffered a major malfunction as they slumped to a 108-105 overtime loss to the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals.
The defending champion Celtics built their win last year around their ability from behind the arc but it caused their downfall here after making just 15 of a playoff record 60 attempts.
The tactic was particularly evident in the second half as easier opportunities to drive to the basket were spurned in favour of playing the ball wide for a more difficult shot.
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Celtics suffer second-half meltdown
The Celtics led by 20 points after halftime but a run of 10 successive missed shots – all from three-point range – turned the game in the Knicks’ favour.
“Some of ’em felt good, some of ’em felt like we maybe forced the issue,” said the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown, who was successful on just one of 10 three-pointers.
“Definitely our rhythm and our timing was a little bit off. We got a lot of great looks, but it may be some truth [to shooting too many] today.”
CAPTAIN CLUTCH. pic.twitter.com/lRhBoFq3Fw
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 6, 2025
Knicks take advantage
While the Celtics were toiling, the Knicks quietly went about their business with OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson scoring or assisting on 55 of 63 points in the second half.
“In those moments when the other team got momentum you can’t just fire up 3s to break up momentum,” Brown said. “You got to get to the free throw line, get to the paint, get to the basket, maybe get an easy two. You hit some free throws and then maybe the next 3-pointer feels a little bit better.”
Despite the setback, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla stood by the tactic and put it down to a cold shooting night.
“I look at the process and the shot quality, [and] our shot quality was high,” he said.
“There were probably eight to 10 shots that could be better for sure.”
For all the Celtics’ problems, it was a stunning win for the Knicks, who had lost 10 of the previous 11 meetings between the teams, not that coach Tom Thibodeau was getting carried away.
“The important thing for us is to understand what it is,” Thibodeau said. “It’s one win and then [we have to] understand that we have to reset and get ready for Game 2.”
