NEW YORK — As the final horn echoed through Madison Square Garden on Monday night, the New York Knicks relished their 3-1 lead over the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals. But team captain Jalen Brunson was quick to rein in the excitement.
Despite a 121-113 Game 4 win that put New York within one victory of its first conference finals appearance in a quarter-century, Brunson reminded his teammates the series wasn’t over yet, with Game 5 looming in Boston on Wednesday night.
“I was actually telling everyone to clear the court. There’s nothing to celebrate,” said Brunson, who led the team with 39 points and 12 assists on 25 shots.
Still, Brunson acknowledged the importance of the win, especially after a disappointing Game 3 performance where he felt the team had grown “subconsciously satisfied” with its 2-0 series lead.
In contrast to that lackluster outing, the Knicks fought back hard in Game 4. Even though Boston jumped out to a double-digit advantage — something that’s become a trend in their meetings — New York responded with tougher defense and rallied from a 14-point hole in the third quarter.
Brunson spearheaded the charge with 18 points in that period, helping the Knicks grab an 88-85 lead going into the fourth, igniting the Madison Square Garden crowd.
“What I’m proud of is how we responded. We stayed united and never gave up,” said Brunson. He was one of four Knicks to score 20 or more, joined by Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges with 23 each, and OG Anunoby with 20.
The Knicks didn’t start smoothly, often defending Boston’s initial sets well but repeatedly leaving Derrick White free at the arc. White hit all four of his 3-point attempts in the first quarter, and Jayson Tatum added three more as the Celtics lit it up from deep, going 9-of-14 for 39 first-quarter points.
“There was a lot of miscommunication early,” said Bridges. “We cleaned that up later, and though they hit some tough shots, we can live with that. But those early breakdowns can’t happen.”
By the fourth, those errors had been largely addressed.
While Tatum was still tough to stop — finishing with 42 points on 28 shots — the Knicks disrupted Jaylen Brown’s rhythm, forcing several turnovers. One such mistake became a turning point in the game — and perhaps the series.
Brown mishandled a pass from Tatum above the left wing three-point line. As Tatum moved to recover the ball, his right leg gave out and he collapsed in pain. Anunoby seized the moment, grabbing the ball and scoring on a breakaway dunk, putting the Knicks up by nine with just over three minutes to go.
With Brunson and Bridges combining for 18 fourth-quarter points, New York had likely taken control even before Tatum’s injury. But his exit cast a cloud over Boston’s outlook as he was helped off the floor, unable to put weight on his leg.
Brunson began his postgame comments by offering prayers for Tatum, yet emphasized the need for continued focus.
“This was about urgency and desperation. We knew we had a major chance against a great team,” Brunson said. “I don’t even think we’ve hit our stride yet. We’re still growing as a team. There’s more to learn, and we’re not satisfied. That’s our mindset.”
