KEYPOINTS SUMMARY:
- Knicks lead series 2-1 but were embarrassed in Game 3 by Celtics
- Warriors trail 2-1 vs. Wolves and will again be without Steph Curry
- Both teams play crucial Game 4s at home Monday night
- Pressure mounting in MSG and Chase Center with season momentum on the line
- Celtics and Timberwolves gaining confidence and control
- Can Brunson and Butler carry their teams to Game 4 redemption?
Knicks and Warriors Under Pressure as Game 4 Becomes Must-Win Drama
It’s do-or-die Monday night in the NBA playoffs.
Two of the league’s biggest brands—the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors—are reeling under the weight of playoff pressure. Both teams will hit their home floors in what could be the most important games of their seasons.
For the Knicks, it’s a chance to go up 3-1 against the mighty Celtics.
For the Warriors, it’s a desperate attempt to avoid a 3-1 hole—and they’ll do it without Steph Curry.
The stakes? Everything.
Knicks Looking to Bounce Back After Brutal Game 3 Beating
After stealing two dramatic wins in Boston, the Knicks returned home to get blown out 115-93 in Game 3. The crowd at Madison Square Garden was stunned as the Celtics rained threes and dominated start to finish.
Now, New York is still up 2-1—but that lead feels fragile.
Coach Thibodeau knows it. The fans feel it. And the Celtics are licking their chops.
“It’s not about the last game. It’s about how we respond now,” said a Knicks player. “This is our moment.”
Brunson Must Break Loose
Knicks star Jalen Brunson has been solid—but not spectacular—in this series. He hasn’t yet cracked 30 points, and Monday night has to be his night.
If Brunson doesn’t go off? Boston will come in and steal homecourt back.
The Knicks need:
- Aggressive drives
- Midrange confidence
- Deep threes
- And most of all—leadership
Can Brunson answer the call?
Trouble in the Knicks Starting Five
One major issue? New York’s starters are getting outscored badly.
After a strong Game 1 showing, the starters have struggled to match Boston’s energy and pace. OG Anunoby has just 7 total points in the last two games.
Karl-Anthony Towns has been the lone bright spot, crashing the glass and anchoring the paint.
But without help from Brunson, Anunoby, and the bench, Game 4 could slip away early.
Celtics Regain Their Rhythm
Boston came into Game 3 on a mission—and boy, did they deliver.
- 20-for-40 from three
- Jayson Tatum finally found his rhythm
- Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis looked revitalized
- Celtics looked like… the Celtics
They’ve led by 20+ points in all three games—but only just won their first.
If they fix the late-game meltdowns? This series is theirs to lose.
MSG on Fire: Can Knicks Ride the Crowd?
The Garden will be electric Monday night.
Ticket prices have soared. Fans are desperate. The last time the Knicks made a Conference Finals was 2000.
“This crowd will carry us,” a team source said. “We just have to show up.”
And if the Knicks do? They’ll be one win away from history.
Warriors in Deep Trouble Without Curry
Across the country, in San Francisco, things are even more dire.
The Warriors are down 2-1 to the red-hot Timberwolves.
And once again, Stephen Curry is OUT.
He hasn’t played since tweaking his hamstring early in Game 1. He won’t be evaluated again until Wednesday—meaning the soonest he could return is Game 6.
If Golden State doesn’t win Game 4?
There might not be a Game 6.
Warriors’ Offense Is Lost Without Steph
Golden State hasn’t looked the same without Curry.
- They went 0-for-5 from three in the first half of Game 3
- They miss his spacing, playmaking, and gravity
- Turnovers are piling up
- Nobody is stepping into that “go-to” role
Sure, Jonathan Kuminga dropped 30 off the bench, but that can’t happen every night.
Defense Fails Late vs. Wolves
Warriors coach Steve Kerr keeps preaching defense—but it broke down at the worst moments in Game 3.
- Rudy Gobert slammed home a dunk and-one
- Anthony Edwards splashed a dagger three
- Julius Randle recorded a triple-double and couldn’t be stopped
- Draymond Green fouled out early and left a giant hole in the paint
It was a total collapse. And now they’ve got one more shot to fix it.
Wolves Are Calm, Confident, and Dangerous
The Timberwolves are surging with confidence.
Anthony Edwards is blossoming into a superstar, scoring 36 in Game 3.
Julius Randle has been Mr. Consistent.
Mike Conley is controlling the tempo like a 10-year vet.
They’re deep. They’re physical. And They’re not afraid of Golden State.
And they smell blood.
Buddy Hield Says It Best: “Give the Ball to Jimmy”
Without Curry, the Warriors are leaning on Jimmy Butler.
He scored:
- 33 points
- 7 assists
- 7 rebounds in Game 3
He’s Playoff Jimmy. He’s done this before. But can he do it again?
“We’ve just got to ride Jimmy,” Hield said. “He’ll figure it out.”
It might be their only hope.
Game 4 Schedules and Betting Lines
Boston Celtics at New York Knicks
- 7:30 PM ET
- ESPN
- Celtics favored by 6.5
- Madison Square Garden
Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden State Warriors
- 10:00 PM ET
- ESPN
- Timberwolves favored by 5.5
- Chase Center
Knicks and Warriors Under Pressure in Game 4 Battles
This is it.
The Knicks and Warriors are under pressure like never before.
The Knicks need to bounce back at home—or risk blowing their early lead.
The Warriors need to win without Curry—or watch their season end fast.
Two cities.
Two proud teams.
Two must-win games.
It’s Monday night basketball drama at its finest.
