NEW YORK — May 18, 2024 — The knicks stunned the Celtics, with the Thunder dominating the Nuggets in a thrilling night of NBA playoff action. The Knicks secured a dramatic victory, while the Thunder showcased an offensive explosion. The series lead has been established. The outcome of these games is crucial as the playoffs continue to unfold, promising exciting games across both conferences, and fans might expect even more surprises in the upcoming games.
In the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks took a commanding 2-0 lead against the Boston Celtics, fueled by resilience. Jalen BrunsonS clutch free throws and Mikal Bridges’ game-winning steal sealed a nail-biting 91-90 victory for the Knicks. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Denver Nuggets in the West. these NBA playoffs are just heating up, suggesting we should watch the next matchups closely.
Knicks stun Celtics, Thunder Dominate Nuggets in NBA Playoffs
Knicks Take Commanding Lead After Dramatic Comeback
The New York Knicks have surged to a 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics, showcasing resilience and clutch performances in a thrilling start to the series.
In a stunning turn of events at TD Garden, the Knicks overcame a 20-point third-quarter deficit for the second consecutive game. Jalen Brunson, the 2024-25 Clutch Player of the Year, delivered under pressure, sinking two crucial free throws with 12.7 seconds left to put the Knicks ahead by one point.
Mikal Bridges than sealed the victory with another game-winning steal, this time pilfering the ball from Jayson Tatum, securing a nail-biting 91-90 win.
Did You Know?
Teams that win the first two games of a playoff series on the road have a high probability of advancing. According to the Associated Press, these teams move on to the next round 85.7% of the time.
The defending champions now face a daunting challenge as they head to Madison Square Garden for the next two games.
Jaylen Brown, visibly frustrated, expressed his disappointment: Two games we’re up 20 points (and) somehow end up not with wins is inexcusable.
he added, Obviously, being down two, it sucks. It’s an opportunity to show what we’re made of. Obviously, we wouldn’t like to be in this position, but we’re here now, so we got to respond.
Celtics’ Three-Point Woes and Offensive Struggles
Despite being known for their three-point prowess, the Celtics have struggled from beyond the arc in this series. They have shot a combined 25-of-100 from deep in Games 1 and 2, including missing a league playoff-record 45 three-pointers in the series opener.
The Celtics’ offense faltered considerably in the fourth quarter, missing 14 of their final 15 shots, including an eight-minute scoring drought.
This remarkable start to the series for the Knicks is particularly noteworthy considering they finished 10 games behind the Celtics in the regular season and were swept 4-0 in their regular-season matchups.
Key Performances
- Josh Hart: Finished with a game-high 23 points for the Knicks.
- Karl-Anthony Towns: Contributed 21 points and 17 rebounds.
- Jalen Brunson: Scored 17 points, including the Knicks’ last six, and dished out seven assists.
- Mikal Bridges: After a scoreless first three quarters, scored all 14 of his points in the fourth, capped off by the game-winning steal.
- Derrick White and Jaylen Brown: Each scored 20 points for the Celtics.
- Jayson Tatum: struggled,finishing with 13 points on 5-of-19 shooting.
Bridges commented after the game that the team is just finding ways to win.
Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York.
thunder Unleash Offensive Fury on Nuggets
In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a resounding statement, demolishing the denver Nuggets 149-106 on Wednesday to even the series at 1-1.
Oklahoma City set a new NBA playoff record for points scored in a half, exploding for 87 points in the first half against the Nuggets.
Denver, who fired longtime head coach Michael Malone just before the playoffs, managed to steal a win in Game 1 with a late Aaron Gordon three-pointer. However, Game 2 was a fully different story, as the Thunder surged to a 24-point first-quarter lead and never looked back.
Thunder’s Dominant Performance
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Led the Thunder with a game-high 34 points, along with eight assists and four rebounds.
- Chet Holmgren: Posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
All five Thunder starters, plus three players off the bench, reached double figures in the dominant victory.
Nikola Jokić, Gilgeous-Alexander’s rival for the MVP award, was limited to just 17 points and fouled out in the third quarter. This was a stark contrast to his historic 42-point, 22-rebound performance in Game 1.
Pro Tip
When a team faces a important loss, focusing on defensive adjustments and limiting turnovers can be crucial for bouncing back in the next game.
Game 3 will be held in Denver on Saturday.
