NEW YORK — In a dominant performance at Madison Square Garden, the Boston Celtics reignited their 3-point shooting prowess in Game 3, propelling them to a resounding triumph over the New York Knicks, 115-93, in the Eastern Conference semifinals on Saturday.
Leading the charge was Jayson Tatum, who contributed 22 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, while teammate Payton Pritchard delivered an impressive 23 points. This victory marked the Celtics’ first win in the series, following two narrow losses in Boston where they let substantial leads slip away.
The Celtics showcased an impressive 20 for 40 shooting from beyond the arc, a stark contrast to their earlier struggles where they made only 25 out of 100 attempts in the previous two games. Despite their earlier setbacks, the defending champions maintained their composure, building a commanding 31-point lead that the Knicks could not overcome.
Celtics forward Jaylen Brown emphasized the ongoing battle, stating, “You’ve got to beat us four times. That’s what it comes down to. Not twice, not once, not three. You’ve got to win four games, so there’s a lot of basketball to be played.” Tatum’s and Pritchard’s combined efforts included five successful 3-point shots each, further underlining Boston’s resurgence.
Further contributions came from Jaylen Brown himself, who added 19 points to the scoreboard, and Derrick White, who pitched in 17 points. With momentum on their side, the Celtics aim to level the series in Game 4 on Monday before heading back to Boston for Game 5 on Wednesday.
The Knicks’ Jalen Brunson, who scored 27 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns, who notched a double-double with 21 points and 15 rebounds, fought hard but couldn’t prevent a shift in the series dynamics. Reflecting on their performance, Brunson remarked, “I don’t think we came with the mindset of being satisfied, but I think it was just subconsciously satisfied being up 2-0. Just not the way we need to approach the game.”
Boston’s regular-season record established them as the most prolific 3-point shooting team NBA history, having swept all previous matchups against the Knicks. However, the series commenced on a rocky note for the Celtics, with a historical low point of 45 missed 3-pointers in Game 1.
The turnaround came swiftly in Game 3, as the Celtics nailed their first four attempts from downtown for a fiery start, ultimately finishing 6 for 7 in a quarter that gave them a 36-20 lead. This explosive opening not only marked their highest-scoring quarter of the postseason but also dampened the spirits of a spirited crowd that had paid a premium to witness this pivotal game.
Tatum, confident in his team’s capabilities, reflected, “Just a matter of time.” The Celtics continued their assault with back-to-back 3s from Tatum and Pritchard, extending their advantage to 55-33 in the second quarter, and they entered halftime with a commanding 71-46 lead.
The Knicks struggled from 3-point land, converting only 5 of 25 attempts, and their free throw shooting woes persisted at 68.6%, exacerbated by Mitchell Robinson’s challenges at the line. Boston strategically fouled him, taking advantage of his difficulties and securing an overwhelming victory on enemy turf.