NBA Playoff Thrills: Knicks Stun Celtics, Thunder Crush Nuggets in Game 2 Showdowns

 NBA Playoff Thrills: Knicks Stun Celtics, Thunder Crush Nuggets in Game 2 Showdowns

The New York Knicks staged another incredible comeback, overcoming a 20-point deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics 91-90 in Game 2 of their NBA Conference playoff semifinal. Jalen Brunson’s two free throws with 12.7 seconds left secured the lead, and Mikal Bridges’ defensive stop denied Boston a final shot. Josh Hart led with 23 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 points and 17 rebounds. Brunson contributed 17 points and seven assists, and Bridges scored all 14 of his points in the fourth. The Knicks, who trailed by 16 in the final quarter, took the lead in the last two minutes. They now hold a 2-0 advantage in the best-of-seven series against the reigning champions, despite finishing 10 wins behind Boston in the regular season. Coach Tom Thibodeau praised the team’s resilience. Boston’s Derrick White and Jaylen Brown each scored 20 points, but coach Joe Mazzulla admitted the Knicks made the crucial plays. Game 3 is set for Saturday in New York. In another semifinal, the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Denver Nuggets 149-106 to level their series at 1-1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led with 34 points, and OKC tied an NBA playoff record with 87 first-half points. The Thunder’s 45-point first quarter set the tone. Nikola Jokic, after a 42-point Game 1, was limited to 17 points and fouled out in the third. Coach Mark Daigneault emphasized the team’s identity, while Denver’s interim coach David Adelman called the loss a wake-up call.

See also: Top seeds who've been knocked out in round one of the NBA playoffs