The New York Knicks completed an improbable fourth-quarter, 22-point comeback against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. And just like that, Cleveland learned that the Knicks can't ever be counted out when their backs are up against the wall... which is a lesson the Boston Celtics learned the hard way last year.
In Games 1 and 2 of their second-round playoff matchup last year, the Celtics blew a 20-point lead in the second half (for those who don't know/want to remember: yes, they blew two 20-point leads in back-to-back games) at home against New York, losing both of those games, as well as the series.
Fast forward a year later, and the Knicks are continuing this trend. Though "fortunately" for Boston, it's another team experiencing it directly.
The Knicks' success should terrify the Celtics
Following their Game 1 heist, the Knicks are just three wins away from their first NBA Finals appearance in over two decades. And with all the momentum being on their side right now (they are 9-2 in the playoffs, with their two losses each being one-point games), it seems highly likely that they're going to play some June basketball against the San Antonio Spurs or Oklahoma City Thunder.
This is terrible news for the rest of the East, especially for the Celtics, who don't match up particularly well with the Knicks.
New York beat the Celtics in the playoffs last year, and it would've beaten them again this year (maybe even in a four-game sweep) had they taken care of the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round. The Knicks match up so well against the Celtics because of their elite defensive wings (OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart), their ability to space the floor with Karl-Anthony Towns, and the pesky, clutch play of Jalen Brunson, who has the ability to take a game over in an instant.
And what's even worse for Boston is that the Knicks are only getting better while they are gradually getting worse.
The Knicks have seen an increase in wins every year since the 2021-22 season (37, 47, 50, 51, 53) while the Celtics' short- and long-term outlooks are in question following two straight disappointing playoff exits.
This isn't the same Eastern Conference Boston had full control of just a couple of years ago. Times are changing, and unless they make some big changes this summer, the Celtics are going to see their championship window just pass them by.
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