Knicks Rally Past Celtics for 3-1 Series Lead as Tatum Exits with Injury

Summary:

• The New York Knicks rallied from a 14-point deficit to win (121-113) against the Boston Celtics.
• Jalen Brunson was in the lead with 39 points; four Knicks scored 20+ points.
• Jayson Tatum exited late with an ankle injury.

The New York Knicks pulled off a thrilling 121-113 win over the Boston Celtics on Monday night at Madison Square Garden, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in their 2025 NBA playoff series.

After trailing by 14 points during the third quarter, the Knicks came back to life with an impressive 12-2 run at the end the period, flipping the game in their favor and entering the final frame up 88-85.

The momentum shift was palpable, and New York never looked back.

With the score locked at 102 apiece and under six minutes to go, OG Anunoby calmly drilled a clutch three-pointer to give the Knicks a 105-102 advantage, a lead they protected the rest of the way.

Jalen Brunson once again led the charge with a huge night, tallying 39 points, 12 assists, and five rebounds. He had plenty of help, as Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns both poured in 23 points, and Anunoby added 20.

It means a lot. It’s a big game for us, just the way we responded, is what I’m most proud of, sticking together and making sure we are not quitting. That’s a tough team over there. Obviously, we want to get off to better starts but they got experience. They’re the defending champs for a reason.

Tatum Went Out With a Leg Injury

The win was also clouded by a concerning moment for Boston. Late in the fourth quarter, Jayson Tatum went down clutching his right ankle in visible pain while chasing a loose ball.

It was a non-contact injury, and the Celtics star had to be helped off the floor, unable to put any weight on his leg. He was eventually taken to the locker room in a wheelchair with speculation it could be an Achilles Tear.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said,

You are always worried about someone’s health. He’s the type of guy that gets right up. He didn’t and we’ll know tomorrow exactly what it is. It’s tough to watch a guy like him getting carried off like that.

Tatum had been spectacular, scoring 42 points and matching Celtics greats Larry Bird and John Havlicek for the largest number of 40-point playoff games in the history of the franchise.

“That’s our brother0,” said Derrick White. “Hate to see him go down.”

Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, who tallied 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds, admitted it was difficult to watch Tatum suffer the injury.

Tonight is tough. I think everybody is kind of at a loss of words just because, one losing a game, but obviously, the concern with JT. But we pick our heads back up tomorrow and go from there

Up next, Tom Thibodeau’s side will try to eliminate the NBA defending champion Celtics on Wednesday’s Game 5 in Boston. Discover the best US sportsbooks with excellent odds ahead of all the games in the NBA playoffs.