NBA World Reacts As Celtics Blow Another Lead, Knicks Come Back to Win Game 2

The Celtics blew 20-point leads in back-to-back games at home.

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts after defeating the Boston Celtics in game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. / David Butler II-Imagn Images

It's déjà vu in Boston.

Just two days after the New York Knicks came back on the road to defeat the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, they've done it again, defeating the Celtics 91-90 on Wednesday. The Knicks trailed the Celtics 73-53 with under four minutes to go in the third quarter, the second game in a row in which they've trailed by 20 points in the third. Like on Monday, a 20-point lead didn't deter the Knicks, who pulled off a fourth comeback to earn the win and take the 2-0 lead in the series.

The Knicks finally took the lead late in the fourth quarter as the Celtics went eight minutes without making a field goal. Jayson Tatum responded with a dunk, but Jalen Brunson was fouled and made both of his free throws to take the 91-90 lead. Tatum tried driving back down the court for the game-winning basket, but Mikal Bridges came up with another clutch defensive stop to win the game for the Knicks.

Mikal Bridges’ first three quarters:
0 PTS

Bridges’ fourth quarter:
14 PTS

Another game-winning defensive play, another 20-point comeback.pic.twitter.com/rEewVB2Dpb

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) May 8, 2025

As the Knicks pulled off a second-straight 20-point comeback against the defending NBA champions, there was no shortage of reactions across the league.

We're up 2-0 against the Celtics and going back to MSG

IS THIS REAL LIFE???? pic.twitter.com/wZ7vqHvnsq

— Knicks Union 🗽 (@knicks_union) May 8, 2025

Cavs and Celtics 0-2 at home! WILD

Knicks end the game on a 38-17 run 🤯 https://t.co/Kp8MYoTXnO

— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) May 8, 2025

The fact that the Celtics blew two 20 point third quarter leads in their own building in back to back playoff games is mind blowing

— John Avino (@_JohnAvino) May 8, 2025

Celtics blowing 20-point leads at home pic.twitter.com/y5Tq7oJBfG

— PrizePicks (@PrizePicks) May 8, 2025

Two 20 point comebacks for the Knicks on the road IS CRAZZZZYYY

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 8, 2025

Crazy how the exact same thing happened two games in a row https://t.co/pD5EiTGlZy

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) May 8, 2025

How the Celtics lost this game to the Knicks will be studied for centuries 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/S45hNComJM

— FlightMike (Mikerophone) (@TheFlightMike) May 8, 2025

the Knicks gameplan pic.twitter.com/U3qk0UFhHj

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) May 8, 2025

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