Promotion! Knicks 119-81 Celtics, who is the pillar of this game

On May 17, 2025, in the G6 of the NBA Playoff Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the Knicks defeated the Celtics 119-81 at home, and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals 4-2. At the beginning of the game, both sides played tightly. Bridges scored consecutive points to assist the team in 7-0 to establish the initiative. Jaylen Brown responded continuously, and then Towns and Bridges scored 8-0 for three consecutive three-pointers to lead by 6 points. The Celtics suddenly cut off power in the second quarter and made consecutive mistakes. The Knicks hit a 10-2 attack wave to establish a double-digit lead. Hart switched continuously to counterattack. The Knicks took a multi-point lead to 27 points in the first half. In the second half, White finally made consecutive shots from the outside, but Brunson and Hart responded strongly, the Knicks pulled up to lead by more than 30 points. After Jaylen Brown left the court with 6 fouls, the Knicks once led by more than 40 points. The two sides gradually began to train in the final quarter, and the Knicks always maintained a lead of more than 30 points. The Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals in this game and will compete with the Pacers for a finals spot. They are only one step away from reaching the finals again after 50 years.

What wonderful performances are the stars in today's Knicks vs. Celtics? Let's take a look at the game data and you can see it at a glance.

Downs Center: Scored 21 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 3 turnovers, 20-8 shots, 6-1 three-pointers, 4-4 free throws, today's performance showed the comprehensiveness that a modern center should have. Towns' dominance in the interior is self-evident, with 11 of the 12 rebounds, almost monopolizing the defensive rebounds. Although his ability to protect the rim is not reflected in the blocking data, his defensive position and interference have greatly reduced the efficiency of the Celtics' inside offense, especially the restrictions on Porzingis, which has allowed the opponent to make only 1 of 4 shots. On the offensive end, Towns showed extremely high efficiency, hitting 8 goals with 20 shots, including a key three-pointer. He has extremely rich offensive methods, and he can easily deal with it whether it is back-on singles, face-frame breakthroughs or outside projections. It is particularly worth mentioning that his continuous score in the first quarter directly helped the team establish a lead. His footsteps were very flexible. When facing Horford's defense, he first pretended to shoot a three-pointer, then made a change of direction and easily completed a layup. This technical detail shows his unusual technical characteristics as a center.

Downs' four free throws also reflects his stability, especially in a high-pressure environment like the playoffs, stable free throws are a very valuable ability. From the perspective of tactical value, Towns' existence gives the Knicks great tactical flexibility. He can not only play singles at low posts, but also open up space from the outside to create breakthrough opportunities for his teammates. At the same time, his rebounding guarantee also provides a solid foundation for the team's defensive counterattack.

Anunobi - Small Forward: Scored 23 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 3 turnovers, 18-7 shots, 13-4 three-pointers, 5-5 free throws, 5-5, 1} His performance today was comprehensive and efficient. Anunobi showed a strong outside threat on the offensive end, hitting 4 of his 13 three-pointers, especially at a critical moment in the second quarter, he completely defeated the Celtics' defensive system. His shooting choice is very smart, not only able to open up space from the outside, but also able to decisively break through the inside when needed. It is worth mentioning that he made all five free throws, showing his stable psychological quality.

Defensive end, Anunobi is simply a versatile player of the Knicks, with 2 steals and 2 blocks fully reflecting his defensive value. Especially against Jaylen Brown's defense, he used his long arms and flexibility to force the opponent to make wrong decisions many times, which directly led to Brown's 7 mistakes. In a key defense, Anunobi rushed over from the wing and slapped Brown's layup with a big hat, completely destroying the Celtics' confidence in launching a counterattack.

Hart Power Forward: Scored 10 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and 2 turnovers, shot 8-3, three-pointers 3-1, free throws 4-3

His performance today is a perfect example of an all-round player. Hart handed over a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, becoming the team's invisible hero for victory. On the offensive end, although his score was not the highest, every move he made was extremely threatening, especially the key three-pointer, which directly stopped the counterattack the Celtics were trying to launch.

What is even more impressive is his organizational ability, with 11 assists showing his unusual passing vision as a power forward. His passing accuracy when he responded at a high position was comparable to that of a professional point guard, and he found his teammates who cut in many times to send wonderful passes. Once, he made a fake pass outside the three-point line, and a wonderful pass through three defensive players and sent it directly to Towns at the basket. This passing skill and awareness is rare in the forward position. On the defensive end, although Hart did not have gorgeous steals and blocks, his defensive position sense was extremely strong, and he repeatedly collapsed the Celtics' offense through correct rotation and supplementary defense. It is particularly worth mentioning that his rebounding ability is, with 3 of his 11 rebounds, and these valuable offensive rebounds directly create a second offensive opportunity for the team. In a key round, he grabbed the frontcourt rebound and passed the ball directly to Brunson on the outside, who hit a three-pointer. This combination of high rebound + high pass made the Celtics unable to defend.

Bridges - Point-back: Scored 22 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 15-9 shot, 7-4 three-pointers, 0-0 free throws, 0-0

His performance today was explosive. Bridges showed extremely high efficiency on the offensive end, hitting 9 goals in 15 shots and 4 of 7 three-pointers. This efficient scoring ability directly became an important guarantee for the Knicks to lead. Especially at the start of the game, his continuous score helped the team establish a 7-0 lead, setting the tone of victory.

He has extremely rich offensive methods. He can not only shoot stably on the outside, but also use his speed and explosive power to break through the inside.. In a key offense, he faced Jaylen Brown's defense, and then directly entered the inside after a change of direction and easily completed a layup against the backup defense. This personal ability is particularly precious under the high-pressure defense in the playoffs.

defensive end, Bridges also performed well, with 1 steal and 2 blocks fully reflecting his defensive value. Especially against Derek White's defense, he used his long arms and flexibility to force the other party to make wrong decisions many times. In a key defense, Bridges rushed over from the wing and slapped White's layup with a big hat, completely destroying the Celtics' confidence in launching a counterattack.

Brunson-point guard: scored 23 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 turnovers, shot 14-8, three-pointers, 8-3, and free throws 4-4

His performance today is a perfect master of field control. Brunson showed extremely high efficiency on the offensive end, hitting 8 goals in 14 shots and 3 of 8 three-pointers. This efficient scoring ability directly became an important guarantee for the Knicks to lead. Especially at the critical moment when the Celtics tried to counterattack in the third quarter, he scored consecutively to stabilize the morale of the army and completely extinguished the opponent's hope of counterattack.

His organizational ability is equally excellent, with 6 assists showing his passing vision as a point guard. He has extremely high pass accuracy when supporting the ball at a high position, and has found his teammates who cut in many times to send wonderful passes. Once, he made a real pass from outside the three-point line, and a wonderful pass through two defensive players and sent it directly to Towns at the basket. This passing skill and awareness showed his master level in the point guard position.

Brunson has extremely rich offensive methods. He can not only shoot stably on the outside, but also use his own speed and rhythm to break through the inside. In a key offense, he faced Holiday's defense, and then directly entered the inside after a change of direction and easily completed a layup against the backup defense. This personal ability is particularly precious under the high-pressure defense in the playoffs.

McBride - Substitute: Scored 10 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block, shot 7-4, 3-pointers 5-2

His performance today is a perfect substitute model. McBride showed extremely high efficiency in his limited playing time, hitting 4 goals in 7 shots and 2 of 5 three-pointers. This efficient scoring ability provides strong firepower support for the team's substitute lineup. Especially at the critical moment when the Knicks opened the score in the second quarter, he further expanded his lead.

His defense cannot be ignored, and one steal and one block fully reflect his contribution on the defensive end. Especially against the Celtics substitute defense, he used his long arms and flexibility to force the opponent to make wrong decisions many times. In a key defense, McBride rushed over from the wing and slapped the opponent's layup with a big hat, completely destroying the Celtics' substitute lineup's confidence in launching a counterattack.

Other substitutes performed

To be honest, the Knicks' bench today was simply too strong! Although Robinson only scored 1 point, those 4 rebounds and 1 steal really stood up at a critical moment, especially those two frontcourt rebounds, which directly gave us a chance to attack for a second time. It was so satisfying! Achuwa didn't feel very good today. He scored 6 points and 3 rebounds from 2 of 6 shots, but his fighting spirit is really unspeakable. He always goes all out every time he plays, and he doesn't give up any inch of land on the defensive end.

Although Shamet, Tucker and Payne did not score today, they also showed a good defensive attitude during garbage time, especially Payne. The continuous operation of stealing and blocking shots was shocked. This guy has a lot of potential! Kohluck's three-pointer at the last moment was also clean and neat, making 1 of 1 shot, and this high efficiency is a reflection of our bench.

Seriously, seeing our bench so powerful, you know why we can win so much. Although these young men don’t play much time, they fight every minute. This team spirit is the key to the Knicks’ ability to advance! We look forward to their continued performance in the Eastern Conference Finals and helping the team advance to the finals!