Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 6: Celtics Look to Even Series vs. Knicks

Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 6 Preview | May 16, 2025

New York, NY. (WE) — The notion that the Boston Celtics were supposed to quietly bow out of the playoffs after losing their superstar Jayson Tatum to a devastating Achilles injury never made it to the Celtics locker room. Instead of folding, Boston roared back to life in Game 5, delivering a statement 127–102 blowout win over the New York Knicks to stave off elimination.

With the Eastern Conference Semifinals now at 3–2 in favor of New York, the Celtics will look to ride their momentum into hostile territory at Madison Square Garden on Friday night with a chance to force a decisive Game 7 back at TD Garden on Monday.

A Tatum-less Triumph

When Tatum fell awkwardly during the second quarter of Game 4, clutching his lower leg and later diagnosed with a torn Achilles, Celtics fans feared the worst. The team’s season appeared to hang in the balance. But this Boston squad has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience throughout the 2024–25 campaign. The Celtics are now 10–2 without Tatum this season, including an impressive 2–0 in the postseason.

“It’s easy to kind of write things off,” said Jaylen Brown, who poured in 26 points along with 12 assists and eight rebounds in the Game 5 win. “Obviously, unfortunate what happened to J.T., but we’ve still got basketball to be played. I believe in this group. Don’t count us out just yet.”

Brown’s leadership and relentless two-way play have been crucial. But he wasn’t alone. Boston had six players score in double figures, including an explosive outing from Derrick White, who drained seven threes and scored a game-high 34 points.

“We were aggressive and connected,” White said postgame. “This is what playoff basketball is about—rising to the moment when your back is against the wall.”

Knicks Feel the Heat

On the other side, the New York Knicks are now facing the kind of pressure no team wants this deep into the playoffs: the threat of letting a series slip away.

After a competitive first half, New York was outscored by 25 in the second half of Game 5. Jalen Brunson, who led the Knicks with 22 points before fouling out with 7:19 remaining, acknowledged the urgency.

“No, not at all,” Brunson responded when asked if the Knicks had let their guard down due to Tatum’s absence. “Yes, they are missing a big piece, but they are a well-oiled machine that has been in situations where they’ve played without him, and they’ve played well. We need to understand that and trust the game plan and play to win. It’s as simple as that.”

Josh Hart added 24 points and hit five of nine from beyond the arc. However, the rest of the Knicks struggled. OG Anunoby went 1-for-12 from the field for just six points, while Mikal Bridges shot 4-for-14 and scored just nine.

“We’ve got to play desperate,” Bridges said bluntly. “I don’t think we did that.”

Unexpected Heroes for Boston

As if the win weren’t impressive enough, Boston’s rotation saw surprising contributions from seldom-used players. Kristaps Porzingis, still battling a viral illness, logged just 12 first-half minutes, tallying one point and one rebound before exiting. Head coach Joe Mazzulla later revealed Porzingis was having trouble breathing due to the illness.

That opened the door for 7-foot-2 journeyman Luke Kornet, who delivered a performance for the ages. Kornet finished a perfect 5-of-5 from the field, scoring 10 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and swatting seven shots—just two shy of the franchise playoff record held by Robert Williams III.

“Obviously, our season’s on the line, so I’m just trying to have a lot of energy and make plays,” Kornet said. “I feel like everybody stepped up. We were very connected and forceful.”

Tactical Adjustments Ahead

With Game 6 looming, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau knows adjustments are crucial if New York is to close out the series at home.

“They have a lot of shooting on the floor, that’s going to remain the same,” Thibodeau said. “The thing about their team is they are a great defensive team as well. We can’t be slow getting back and you can’t give open shots to them. We have to be tighter on our close-outs and better with our communication.”

Thibodeau has been widely praised this season for transforming the Knicks into one of the most disciplined defensive units in the league. But Boston’s offense in Game 5 picked apart New York’s rotations and repeatedly found open looks, particularly from beyond the arc.

Meanwhile, the health of Porzingis will be a major storyline. If he remains limited, Kornet and Al Horford will need to continue anchoring the paint against New York’s physical frontcourt.

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All Eyes on Game 6

Game 6 will be played in one of basketball’s most iconic venues—Madison Square Garden—under the bright lights of playoff pressure. A Celtics win would not only force Game 7 but put the Knicks on the brink of a colossal collapse after holding a 3–1 series lead.

The Celtics are no strangers to playoff drama. With the experience of Brown, Horford, and White leading the way, Boston’s confidence is peaking. That sentiment was echoed by head coach Mazzulla.

“We did what was necessary to do and what we needed to do to get it back to New York,” Mazzulla said. “You don’t get to pick the test that you have, you pick how you respond to them.”

The Knicks, meanwhile, know the stakes. A loss Friday night would mean heading back to Boston, where the TD Garden crowd will be at full throat with a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals on the line.

“It’s do-or-die,” said Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley. “You can’t think about the past. Just have to win the next one. That’s all.”

Historical Context

The Celtics and Knicks have a rich playoff history dating back to the early days of the NBA. This year marks the seventh postseason meeting between the franchises, with Boston holding a 5–1 edge in previous series. The Knicks’ last series win against Boston came in the 2013 first round.

A Game 7 at TD Garden would be reminiscent of their epic 1984 Eastern Semifinals showdown, when the Celtics came back from a 3–2 deficit to win in seven. In that series, Larry Bird and Bernard King lit up the scoreboard, and the rivalry was at its peak.

In today’s context, the stars may be different, but the stakes are just as high.

What to Watch in Game 6

Here are key matchups and narratives to watch Friday night:

• Jaylen Brown vs. Mikal Bridges: Brown has been nearly unstoppable in Tatum’s absence. Bridges, known for his defense, must elevate his play on both ends.
• Celtics’ 3-point shooting: Boston hit 19 threes in Game 5. If White, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser stay hot, New York will struggle to contain them.
• Rebounding Battle: The Celtics won the battle of the boards 52–38 in Game 5. Look for Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein to play a larger role inside.
• Home Court Advantage: Knicks fans are among the loudest in the league. Will that noise fuel New York or rattle the visitors?

Final Thoughts

While the loss of Jayson Tatum would cripple most contenders, the Celtics have proven to be a different breed. With the series back in New York, Game 6 promises to be a battle of grit, composure, and execution.

The Knicks, buoyed by a stellar regular season and led by Brunson, must rediscover their identity and close the door before it’s too late. A Game 7 in Boston looms large, and the specter of another Celtics comeback is already casting its shadow.

Friday night will determine whether the Knicks are ready for the Eastern Conference Finals—or whether the Celtics will once again defy expectations and force one more game.

Game 6: Boston Celtics at New York Knicks
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Tip-off: 8:00 PM ET
Broadcast: ESPN, TSN (Canada), Sky Sports (UK)
Streaming: NBA League Pass

Stay with NBA.com and ESPN for full coverage of Game 6 and the 2025 NBA Playoffs.