The Brunson Burner: Knicks Torch Celtics in Game 1 Stunner

🔍In Game 1 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals, the New York Knicks defeated the Boston Celtics 108–105 in overtime .

The Celtics held a 61–45 lead at halftime and extended it to 20 points in the third quarter. However, the Knicks mounted a comeback, led by Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, each scoring 29 points. Brunson was instrumental in the fourth quarter, tying the game and putting the Knicks ahead with key three-pointers. Anunoby’s dunk and Mikal Bridges’ clutch three-pointer in overtime secured the victory .CelticsBlog+1Reuters+1 New York Post+2Reuters+2CelticsBlog+2

Boston struggled with shooting, missing a playoff-record 45 three-pointers and scoring only 16 points in the fourth quarter .CelticsBlog+1talkSPORT+1

I. The Context: Celtics Were 40-1 When Leading by 20+ Points

Coming into this matchup, Boston was nearly invincible when jumping out to a 20-point lead — a dominant 40-1 record. But history bent in Game 1.

Boston started hot, building a sizable cushion off transition buckets and open threes.
But what happened next wasn’t simply “cold shooting.” It was strategic failure, poor adjustments, and a gritty Knicks response.

📉 II. Boston’s Shooting Collapse: Not Just Bad Luck

The Celtics shot 29% on contested threes — but more importantly, they missed 32 open three-pointers.

This wasn’t a cold snap — it was poor shot selection. They continually settled for long-range attempts even when the paint was wide open.
Coaching lapse: With Mitchell Robinson out, the Knicks were vulnerable inside. Yet Boston didn’t capitalize.

🧠 Expert take: The Celtics’ over-reliance on threes despite favorable post matchups suggests overconfidence in their system or lack of in-game flexibility.

🔥 III. The Knicks’ Turnaround: The OG and Brunson Show

The turning point came in the third quarter, when the Knicks went on a 45–19 run, led by:

OG Anunoby: Arguably his best playoff game ever — cutting hard, hitting big shots, making hustle plays.
Jalen Brunson: 16 points during the run, controlling pace, hitting midrange jumpers and floaters — later dubbed the “Brunson Boogie” and “Brunson Burner.”
Mikal Bridges: Clutch defense, timely threes, and a game-sealing strip on Jaylen Brown.

👊 Grit factor: Knicks showed elite mental toughness, staying composed and fighting possession by possession.

🧱 IV. Celtics’ Strategic Failures: Settling for Jumpers

Despite being the bigger, more physical team, Boston kept:

Ignoring mismatches inside.
Shooting from deep on a night when they were ice-cold — most 3-point misses in NBA playoff history.

One possession had a wide-open paint, yet Boston ran a perimeter dribble hand-off and bricked another three. Knicks rebounded and scored in transition — a backbreaker.

📣 Analyst rant: “How y’all feel about George Brett, Boston fans? Y’all out here swinging for the fences on a night when you needed a single.”

⏱️ V. Clutch DNA: Why the Knicks Win Wasn’t a Fluke

While some think the win hinged on Boston’s missed shots, the Knicks have been doing this all season:

Best clutch-time team in the league.
4–0 on the road in the playoffs (including three road wins in the last series).
Brunson is the most composed fourth-quarter guard left in the playoffs.

💡 What’s repeatable?

Knicks’ toughness, rebounding, and halfcourt defense.
Brunson’s poise and playmaking under pressure.
Tactical execution in clutch time.

🧠 VI. Tactical Implications for Game 2

For the Celtics:

Stop bailing out the Knicks with quick threes. Go inside-out, exploit the paint.
Get Brown and Tatum downhill earlier in the shot clock.
Increase pace before the Knicks set their defense.

For the Knicks:

Keep the game in the mud. Limit possessions, force Boston to beat you in the halfcourt.
Stay aggressive on the boards — especially with Robinson still out.
Don’t expect another historically bad shooting night — but keep contesting everything.

📸 Cover Story Vibe

“Goodwill Hunting: How Do You Like Them Apples?” splashed across the New York Daily News. Knicks didn’t just steal Game 1 — they punched the league’s best team in the mouth.

🏁 Final Word: Statement or Stolen?

Was it a statement win or a fluke? A little of both.

The Knicks didn’t play a perfect game — they can play better.
Boston helped them with stubborn shot selection.
But the Knicks’ ability to grind, adjust, and close was elite.