Playoff Game Preview: Knicks vs Celtics, Game Four, May 12, 2025

Can the Knicks get back on track?

After back-to-back miracle comebacks for the New York Knicks against the Celtics, defending champions and current title favorites, reality came crashing down in Madison Square Garden on Saturday afternoon. It came in the form of a Boston three point barrage.

Everyone on Boston contributed – Tatum, White, Pritchard, Brown, Horford – and to be honest, game three was never close. It was only a matter of time before Boston played like their usual selves.

The Knicks struggled on the defensive end of the floor, defending the pick-and-roll poorly and rotating a step too slow on shooters. Meanwhile, the offense failed to crack the century mark once again. You simply won’t beat Boston scoring 93 points in a game on most nights.

Most importantly, Boston turned back around the momentum of this series. They outclassed the Knicks by a wide margin, and while New York still holds a 2-1 series lead, you get the feeling that tonight is a must-win for the Knickerbockers. They’re ahead in the series, but the play on the court in game three told a different story.

Jaylen Brown knows there’s a lot of ball left.

In game four tonight, New York could build a commanding 3-1 series lead. That would give them three chances to win one more game, with another opportunity at home.

Lose game four, and the series is tied up, headed back to Boston for a pivotal game five. All of the good energy from the first two games would be gone. Series advantage? Evaporated.

Sure, everyone on the Knicks will have to come out strong tonight, but all eyes will be on Jalen Brunson. He’s had a solid series so far, but his offensive production has been significantly lower than it was versus the Pistons. It might take a legendary performance from him to deliver the Knicks to victory tonight. We’ll find out if the Captain can deliver.

The Knicks are fully healthy for tonight, and all fifteen bodies on the bench should be warm and ready to go. Sam Hauser is the only feature on Boston’s injury report – he’s questionable with an ankle injury sustained in game one of the series. He was just upgraded from doubtful yesterday, and might be trending towards playing. Keep an eye out.

Otherwise? May the best team win. Whoever wins this game may very well win the series outright. It’s the biggest game MSG has played host to in a long time. Don’t you dare miss it. And go Knicks.

Game Details

Date: Monday, May 12, 2025

Time: 7:30 PM ET

Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

TV Broadcast: ESPN

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