By LV33 Global Sports Desk
Originally Published: May 17, 2025 | 10:00 AM EST
📍 New York, NY
NEW YORK — Madison Square Garden erupted as the New York Knicks dismantled the defending champion Boston Celtics in a decisive 119-81 Game 6 victory, punching their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in over two decades.
The Celtics, without injured superstar Jayson Tatum, collapsed under the bright lights, bringing a shocking and disappointing end to their season. The blowout marked one of the most lopsided playoff losses in franchise history and underscored the harsh reality facing Boston’s aging and expensive core.
Knicks Dominate From Start to Finish
The Knicks came out aggressive and never looked back. After a sluggish start that briefly saw the Celtics tie the game, New York went on a blistering 17-4 run that set the tone for the night. By halftime, the Knicks led 64-37, a deficit that Boston never came close to overcoming.
Miles McBride, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns led a balanced Knicks attack, executing head coach Tom Thibodeau’s game plan with surgical precision. New York dominated the paint, crashed the boards, and shot efficiently from deep.
Meanwhile, the Celtics struggled in every imaginable aspect. Star guard Jaylen Brown scored 20 points and added six rebounds and six assists, but his seven turnovers and foul trouble (he fouled out before the third quarter ended) overshadowed his efforts.
A Collapse of Championship Proportions
With Tatum sidelined due to a ruptured Achilles suffered in Game 4, Boston looked disjointed and uninspired. Derrick White, who exploded for 34 points in Game 5, disappeared in Game 6, shooting 3-for-11 from the field and finishing as a team-worst -45 on the floor.
Veteran guard Jrue Holiday went 1-for-8, while Al Horford, despite some late effort, couldn't ignite any energy in a lifeless roster. By the third quarter, the Celtics trailed by as much as 41 points — prompting head coach Joe Mazzulla to empty the bench and give minutes to younger players like Baylor Scheierman and Jordan Walsh.
“It felt like nothing was going our way,” said Kristaps Porzingis, who managed just 11 minutes due to lingering illness. “They played free, confident, and clean basketball. We had no answer.”
Celtics Face Massive Offseason Questions
After failing to repeat as champions, Boston enters the offseason with more questions than answers. With Tatum possibly sidelined for the entirety of next season, the Celtics must now evaluate whether to retain their current core or undergo a significant retool.
Despite having most of their rotation under contract for 2025-26, the projected payroll could exceed $500 million, once luxury tax penalties are included — making them the most expensive team in NBA history.
Boston’s front office, led by Brad Stevens, must decide whether to hold onto key pieces like Brown and White or explore trades that offer cap flexibility and youth. Aging stars like Holiday and Porzingis may also be viewed as trade assets depending on the team’s strategic direction.
And with new ownership on the horizon under Bill Chisholm, who’s expected to gain league approval by this summer, the franchise could see a philosophical shift from the top down.
Knicks to Face Pacers in Eastern Conference Finals
The Knicks, meanwhile, will prepare for a showdown with the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals — a clash that evokes memories of their storied 1990s rivalry. With their suffocating defense, emerging chemistry, and Thibodeau’s playoff-tested leadership, New York appears ready to challenge for its first NBA Finals berth since 1999.
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