KEYPOINTS SUMMARY –
Celtics Thunder Playoff Bounce Back
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Celtics and Thunder in danger of falling behind 2-0 after Game 1 upsets
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Knicks stunned Boston with OT win after historic Celtics shooting collapse
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Nuggets rallied late behind Jokic’s 42 to beat Thunder by 2 points
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Game 2: Celtics vs. Knicks (7 PM ET), Thunder vs. Nuggets (9:30 PM ET)
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Knicks fans going wild in NYC—MSG already sold out for Game 3
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Celtics still favored by oddsmakers despite momentum shift
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Jokic vs. Gilgeous-Alexander showdown continues in Game 2
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Will Boston and OKC survive—or fall into playoff disaster mode?
Today is NBA Playoff Drama Day! Celtics, Thunder Face Danger
It’s all on the line tonight.
What looked like a routine round for the NBA’s top two powerhouses has suddenly turned into a full-blown crisis.
The Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder, both dominant in the regular season and first-round playoff sweeps, are in big trouble after losing Game 1s at home.
And now, as they head into must-win Game 2s, all eyes are on whether these titans can bounce back—or if we’re about to witness two of the biggest playoff collapses of the decade.
Celtics Collapse in Game 1: From 20-Point Lead to Total Meltdown
Boston’s Game 1 against the Knicks was supposed to be a statement. And it was… just not the one they wanted.
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Celtics missed an NBA playoff-record 45 threes (15-for-60)
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Blew a 20-point second-half lead
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Went 1-for-8 in clutch-time 3s
The Knicks? They pounced. Jalen Brunson dropped 29, Josh Hart was everywhere, and the Knicks stole a 108-105 overtime win in TD Garden.
“You have to make open shots,” Coach Joe Mazzulla said bluntly. “If they go in, we’re not having this conversation.”
Problem is, they didn’t.
Tonight’s Must-Watch: Game 2 – Knicks at Celtics
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Location: TD Garden, Boston
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Time: 7:00 PM ET (TNT)
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Vegas Says: Celtics -10.5, O/U 210.5
Despite the Game 1 meltdown, oddsmakers still favor Boston heavily. But fans aren’t convinced.
Kristaps Porzingis is questionable after playing just 13 minutes due to illness. Sam Hauser is also day-to-day with an ankle sprain.
Meanwhile, New York is hungry. They know they didn’t even play their best and still walked away with a win.
“Was it bad shooting by Boston or good defense from us?” Josh Hart asked. “We’ll find out tonight.”
Knicks Fever Takes Over NYC: Game 3 Already Sold Out
Back in New York, the energy is off the charts.
After stealing Game 1, the city exploded with playoff fever.
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Saturday’s Game 3 at Madison Square Garden is sold out
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Cheapest resale tickets? $1,200 and climbing
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Viewing parties across the boroughs are set for tonight’s Game 2
Whether they win or lose tonight, MSG will be a madhouse on Saturday.
Thunder Shaken by Nuggets: Jokic Too Much to Handle
In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder had their own nightmare ending to Game 1.
Despite a late lead, they couldn’t stop the Nikola Jokic takeover.
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Jokic: 42 points, 22 rebounds
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Nuggets out-rebounded OKC 63-43
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Scored 27 second-chance points
Oh, and the game-winning play? A corner 3 by Aaron Gordon with seconds left.
The final score: Denver 121, OKC 119.
Tonight’s Must-Watch: Game 2 – Nuggets at Thunder
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Location: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
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Time: 9:30 PM ET (TNT)
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Vegas Says: Thunder -11.5
Vegas still believes in OKC—but they’ll need more than faith tonight.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was brilliant in Game 1: 33 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists. But help was scarce.
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Jalen Williams shot just 5-for-20
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Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein both battled foul trouble
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Jokic drew a flagrant-1 foul, but kept pushing with brutal physicality
“This isn’t the first time we’ve handled adversity,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “We’ll do it again.”
What’s at Stake: Win or Start Packing Bags?
Let’s be clear: teams that go down 0-2 in a playoff series lose 92% of the time.
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For Boston, losing both games at home would be a humiliation
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For OKC, it would be a dream season unraveling before their eyes
Both teams need Game 2 like oxygen. And both fanbases know it.
Stat Watch: Can They Bounce Back?
Celtics vs. Knicks – By the Numbers
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Celtics Home Record: 28-8
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Celtics Post-Loss Record: 19-2 last two seasons
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Knicks vs. Teams Over .500: 19-23
Thunder vs. Nuggets – By the Numbers
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Jokic Last 10 Games vs. OKC: 30+ PPG average
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Thunder Rebound Margin in Game 1: -20
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Second-Chance Points Allowed: 27
Boston shoots better, they win.
OKC boxes out, they win.
Simple math—but not easy fixes.
X-Factors to Watch Tonight
For Boston:
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Can Porzingis play?
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Will Tatum stop settling for 3s?
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Can Derrick White shake off a cold shooting night?
For OKC:
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Will Jalen Williams bounce back?
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Can Chet Holmgren stay out of foul trouble?
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Will anyone slow down Nikola Jokic?
Bold Prediction Time: Who Wins Tonight?
Celtics vs. Knicks Game 2 Prediction:
Boston bounces back. Barely.
Celtics 113, Knicks 109
Thunder vs. Nuggets Game 2 Prediction:
Thunder go off. Shai scores 40.
OKC 121, Denver 112
Celtics Thunder Playoff Bounce Back—Or Total Collapse?
Tonight is a defining moment in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Celtics Thunder Playoff Bounce Back
Do the Celtics and Thunder bounce back and restore order to the chaos?
Or do the Knicks and Nuggets deliver knockout punches that could change the playoff landscape for good?
This is must-watch madness.
So buckle up, grab the popcorn, and prepare for the drama—because this NBA Playoff day might just change everything.
