The Boston Celtics emerged victorious over the New York Knicks, 123-117, in a thrilling rematch of last season's Eastern Conference semifinal. Jaylen Brown led the charge with a season-high 42 points, including a breathtaking breakaway dunk in the final seconds. The Celtics' resilience was on full display as they overcame a 15-point deficit, with Derrick White contributing seven of his 22 points in the crucial last four minutes. Jordan Walsh also stepped up, scoring six points and grabbing five rebounds in the fourth quarter. The Knicks' Mikal Bridges scored 17 of his 35 points in the fourth, showcasing his shooting prowess from beyond the arc. Karl-Anthony Towns added 29 points for New York, who had been on a four-game winning streak. Boston's recent form has been impressive, winning four of their last five games and defeating four of the top six teams in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks started strong, racing to a 17-4 lead and extending it to 39-25. However, Boston mounted a comeback, outscoring New York 12-0 and then 7-0, taking a 47-46 lead on Brown's electrifying dunk. Brown's scoring prowess continued, with 18 points in the second quarter and 15 in the third, giving Boston an 18-point lead after three quarters. The Knicks fought back, with Bridges hitting crucial 3-pointers and free throws, cutting the deficit to 102-99. But Boston's determination prevailed, as they responded with a 3-pointer from Josh Minott and back-to-back putbacks by Walsh, establishing an eight-point lead. With 46 seconds left, Bridges' 3-pointer made it a four-point game, but he missed the next shot, keeping the Celtics' victory intact.
