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NEW YORK — In the wake of what might be the most significant victory of Jalen Brunson’s career with the New York Knicks, a throng of fans was gathered nearby, enveloped in high spirits. Some were in awe, others ecstatic, but all donned the colors of blue and orange.
Beyond the arena, millions more were glued to their screens, watching as New York’s standout guard found himself in a familiar spot: post-game, with a reporter to his left and a cameraman a mere few feet away.
Yet, Brunson’s thoughts seemed elsewhere. As the interview prepared to commence, he glanced to his right and energetically waved his arms.
“I was actually urging everyone to clear the court,” Brunson remarked. “There’s nothing to celebrate yet.”
It’s tough to fault the crowd at the iconic Madison Square Garden for their excitement. Their team is just one victory away from clinching a spot in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years. They had just executed a phenomenal second-half performance, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in their series against the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics. This was their moment to prove the skeptics wrong. They had just witnessed their team secure a remarkable victory.
So why not revel in it? It’s a moment that New York fans have every right to cherish.
Nevertheless, Brunson is right to keep his team grounded. The 121-113 triumph against the Celtics did not seal the deal; it merely placed the Knicks in a favorable position, an opportunity not seen since the Clinton administration. With a pivotal Game 5 looming on Wednesday in Boston, the Knicks have the potential to make their playoff journey memorable if they maintain the level of performance they displayed in the final 24 minutes of Monday night’s match.
You can label it as luck. You can dismiss it as unwarranted. But the reality is New York holds a 3-1 edge, not Boston. The Celtics toyed with their chances in the first two games, building 20-point leads late only to falter. The Knicks have consistently shown this season that they are capable of taking advantage of such opportunities. That resilience is integral to the identity of New York basketball.
What unfolded in Game 4, however, was no stroke of luck. The Knicks outperformed the Celtics for nearly the entirety of the second half. They delivered their finest offensive display of the postseason throughout 21 of those minutes. In this crucial swing game, they matched the defending champions blow for blow before decisively taking control in the latter stages. The victory required contributions from the entire roster, highlighting why this team stands on the verge of something extraordinary.
“That’s what it felt like,” OG Anunoby stated. “We forced them into difficult shots and moved the ball exceptionally well on offense.”
The Celtics’ largest lead reached 14 points early in the third quarter, following a steal by Josh Hart that quickly transitioned into a turnover by Karl-Anthony Towns and a three-pointer from Derrick White. Tom Thibodeau, visibly frustrated, called a timeout. This break, however, revitalized his squad. It resembled a timeout he took earlier in the first quarter when Boston surged to a 13-4 start. Thibodeau’s timeouts played a crucial role, as whatever transpired in those huddles seemed to energize his players.
After the White three-pointer in the third quarter, Brunson emerged from the timeout and became the standout performer on the court. He canned a step-back three, followed by two successful free throws, and added a layup shortly thereafter. Brunson scored 18 of his total 39 points in that third quarter, turning an 11-point halftime deficit into an 88-85 lead by the end of the period.
“Honestly, can we expect anything less from him?” Towns commented regarding Brunson. “It’s a treat to witness him perform like that.”
In the fourth quarter, Mikal Bridges stepped up in a big way, continuously sinking mid-range jumpers to help the Knicks assert their dominance. Bridges contributed 10 of his 23 points in the final quarter, along with seven rebounds for the second time in this series and several crucial deflections.
“I’ve seen it since 2015,” Brunson noted of Bridges, his college teammate at Villanova. “I’ve watched his work ethic grow every year. His determination is remarkable, and it all pays off. I trust him completely, no matter the situation.”
“Our dynamic is strong: we don’t take things personally. We communicate, and sometimes it gets heated, but ultimately, our goal is to win.”
Despite having been sidelined for some time due to a hamstring issue, Anunoby still made significant contributions. He sank timely threes, including one at the end of the third quarter that pushed New York ahead and another that tied the game at 102 with just under six minutes remaining. He also made pivotal steals, forcing a turnover that resulted in Jaylen Brown’s fifth foul early in the fourth quarter.
Hart, standing at 6-feet-4, secured nine rebounds, second highest in the game. Mitchell Robinson imposed his will on the offensive rebounding front, securing five boards, though his overall presence suggested even more.
Then there’s Towns; while his offensive performance was impressive with 11-of-15 shooting, it was his defense that proved critical, particularly during one-on-one matchups with Jayson Tatum or Brown. Throughout the series, Towns has held his own defensively, rarely allowing either of the Celtics’ star wings to penetrate easily, forcing them into challenging shots.
New York made frequent switches on defense Monday night, and Towns met those challenges head-on. Having Bridges and Anunoby in the rotation certainly helped, but Towns thrived in those moments without needing constant assistance from his teammates.
Towns’ defensive efforts consistently pressured the Celtics’ stars into tough, contested shots, leading to their inability to convert. More than once this series, Towns’ defense has been a key factor in Boston’s late-game struggles.
“He absolutely rose to the occasion,” Brunson praised Towns. “We support him in the gaps, building his confidence to stay aggressive while knowing we’ve got his back—Mikal, Josh, OG, and I’ve thrown in the occasional charge.
“His performance was incredible, and we’ll need more of that moving forward. I’m confident he’ll deliver.”
Throughout parts of this season, the Knicks seemed like a team with talent that didn’t fully gel. Yet, in the second half of Game 4, they operated as a cohesive unit, exceeding the sum of their individual talents. This synergy is essential for success at this level.
New York is on the brink of achieving something that few outsiders believed possible: a journey to the Eastern Conference finals. There remains work to be done, but the Knicks need just one win from three opportunities—especially with Tatum likely sidelined after sustaining a serious leg injury in the fourth quarter.
Only one more victory is required. Then perhaps, Brunson will allow the fans to celebrate.
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James L. Edwards III is a staff writer for The Athletic, covering the New York Knicks. Previously, he reported on the Detroit Pistons for seven seasons at The Athletic and started his career at the Lansing State Journal, focusing on Michigan State and high school sports. Follow James L. on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.
