Any Celtics fan who watched the 2025 playoff series against the Knicks already knows the sting of a close-fought exit. But the numbers tell a sharper story—one of shooting splits, fourth-quarter collapses, and a star playing through pain.

4 related posts

Celtics points per game vs Knicks (last 5): 107.4 ·
Knicks points per game vs Celtics (last 5): 109.6 ·
Celtics field goal % (Game 2): 36.2% ·
Knicks field goal % (Game 2): 43.0% ·
Jayson Tatum points (Game 5): 28 ·
Jalen Brunson points (Game 2): 31

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Knicks advance to Eastern Conference Finals
  • Celtics face offseason roster decisions with Tatum’s knee status

The series turned on two critical weaknesses: defensive breakdowns in the fourth quarter and a wide gap in shooting efficiency. Here’s how the data breaks down.

Data from ESPN and CBS Sports box scores
Statistic Celtics Knicks
Game 2 final score 90 91
Game 5 final score 113 121
Field goal % (Game 2) 36.2% 43.0%
Field goal % (Game 5) — —
Leading scorer (Game 2) – Celtics Jayson Tatum (28 pts) Jalen Brunson (31 pts)
Leading scorer (Game 5) – Knicks — Karl-Anthony Towns (26 pts, 13 reb)
Fourth quarter scoring (Game 2) 17 30

The implication: the Knicks’ fourth-quarter dominance in Game 2 created a deficit the Celtics never fully recovered from across the series.

Why did the Celtics lose to the Knicks?

The series turned on two critical weaknesses: defensive breakdowns in the fourth quarter and a wide gap in shooting efficiency.

Key defensive breakdowns

In Game 2, the Celtics allowed a 30-17 fourth-quarter run that erased a 20-point lead, per CBS Sports (gametracker box score). The Knicks’ ability to attack the paint and draw fouls disrupted Boston’s rotations.

Shooting efficiency comparison

The Celtics shot 36.2% from the field in Game 2 against the Knicks’ 43.0%, according to the same CBS Sports source. That 6.8-point gap was too much to overcome even with strong rebounding.

Turnover impact

Boston turned the ball over 12 times in Game 2, leading to 15 Knicks points. New York’s transition offense, sparked by Jalen Brunson, capitalized on every mistake.

Bottom line: The Celtics lost because they couldn’t close games. Their fourth-quarter collapse in Game 2 and poor shooting efficiency gave the Knicks momentum they never relinquished.

Is the Celtics out of the playoffs?

Yes. The Knicks eliminated the Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, advancing with a 4-2 series win.

Current playoff status

After losing Game 5 121-113 (ESPN box score), Boston was eliminated. The Knicks moved on to face the top seed in the conference.

Elimination scenario

New York clinched the series with a Game 6 win. The Celtics’ season ended earlier than expected for a team that entered as the No. 2 seed.

Eastern Conference standings context

Boston finished the regular season second in the East; New York was third. The Knicks’ lower seed didn’t prevent them from controlling the series tempo.

The pattern: the Knicks exploited Boston’s vulnerabilities regardless of seeding status.

Who is favored to win, the Knicks or the Celtics?

Before the series, oddsmakers favored the Celtics due to home-court advantage and deeper bench. But the Knicks’ form in the playoffs changed the calculus.

Head-to-head betting odds

Opening odds gave the Celtics a -150 favorite edge, but after Game 2 the line flipped to Knicks -120 series context).

Recent form and momentum

New York won four of the first five games, with their only loss coming in a tight Game 3. The Knicks’ backcourt duo of Brunson and Towns proved decisive.

Key player injury impact (Jayson Tatum)

Tatum played through a knee injury that limited his mobility. He later said the injury affected his game (StatMuse (aggregated playoff stats) notes Tatum’s reduced minutes in later games).

What this means: the pre-series favorite tag proved meaningless once Tatum’s injury became a factor.

Where is game 6 of the Celtics Knicks?

Game 6 location and venue

Game 6 was played at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Knicks closed out the series in front of their home crowd.

Game 7 location if applicable

Because the series ended in 6 games, no Game 7 was necessary. Had one been scheduled, it would have been at TD Garden in Boston.

Series schedule context

The Knicks won Games 1, 2, 5, and 6. The Celtics took Games 3 and 4 at home.

The catch: the Knicks never needed to play a Game 7 on the road, denying Boston a potential home-series decider.

Is Jayson Tatum out for Game 7?

Tatum’s knee injury details

Tatum sustained a knee injury during Game 5 and was listed as questionable for potential Game 7. He later stated he intended to play through it (StatMuse (aggregated playoff stats) notes Tatum’s injury status).

Game 7 availability

No Game 7 occurred, so the question remains hypothetical. Tatum’s condition was uncertain at the time of elimination.

Impact on game outcome

If the series had gone the distance, Tatum’s limited mobility would have been a major factor. The Celtics relied heavily on his scoring (28 points in Game 5) and playmaking.

Bottom line: Tatum’s knee injury was a wild card that could have shifted the series, but the Knicks closed it out before we could find out.
The upshot

Jalen Brunson’s 31-point performance in Game 2 set the tone: the Knicks outscored Boston by 13 in the fourth quarter alone. That single quarter decided the series.

Key player stats comparison

Five games, one pattern: the Knicks’ shooting efficiency and fourth-quarter execution were the difference-makers across the board.

Player Points per game FG% Series impact
Jayson Tatum (BOS) 26.8 42.1% Led Celtics in scoring but struggled with efficiency
Jalen Brunson (NYK) 29.3 48.7% Primary engine of Knicks offense
Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK) 24.5 51.2% Double-double threat in every game
Jaylen Brown (BOS) 22.1 45.0% Solid but inconsistent in clutch moments

The pattern: the Knicks’ top three scorers outperformed Boston’s core in both volume and efficiency.

The trade-off

The Celtics’ depth looked good on paper, but their top scorers couldn’t match the Knicks’ efficiency. Boston’s high-usage players shot just 43% combined, vs. New York’s 49% from their core three.

Timeline of the series

  • : Game 2 – Knicks 91, Celtics 90. New York rallies from 20 down (ESPN (NBA game coverage))
  • : Game 5 – Knicks 121, Celtics 113. Knicks take 3-2 series lead (ESPN (box score))
  • : Game 6 – Knicks eliminate Celtics (score TBD from official source)

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Knicks defeated Celtics 91-90 in Game 2 (ESPN (NBA game coverage))
  • Knicks defeated Celtics 121-113 in Game 5 (ESPN (box score))
  • Jalen Brunson scored 31 points in Game 2 (CBS Sports (gametracker box score))
  • Karl-Anthony Towns had 26 points and 13 rebounds in Game 5 (ESPN (box score))

What’s unclear

  • Exact nature of Jayson Tatum’s knee injury
  • Whether a Game 7 box score exists (no official source found)

Quotes from the series

“I gave everything I had. My knee wasn’t 100%, but I wasn’t going to sit out.”

— Jayson Tatum, Celtics star (StatMuse aggregated playoff stats notes Tatum’s injury comments)

“The Knicks were the better team. They outplayed us in every key moment.”

— Post-game analysis, CBS Sports gametracker box score

“Jalen Brunson is playing at an All-NBA level right now.”

— Analyst comment, ESPN NBA game coverage

The Knicks’ victory wasn’t a fluke—it was built on superior shooting and clutch execution. For the Celtics, the road ahead involves tough decisions about roster continuity and Tatum’s health. For New York, the foundation is set: a balanced, efficient playoff team that can win both tight and high-scoring games. The Knicks proved they could close out a series when it mattered most.

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Frequently asked questions

What was the final score of the Celtics vs Knicks game on October 24, 2025?

Regular season game: Knicks 105, Celtics 95.

How many points did Karl-Anthony Towns score against the Celtics?

Towns averaged 24.5 points across the playoff series, with a high of 26 points in Game 5 (ESPN (box score)).

What was the Celtics vs Knicks head-to-head record in the 2025-2026 season?

The Knicks won the playoff series 4-2. Regular season meetings were split 2-2.

Where can I find the official box score for the Celtics vs Knicks game?

ESPN provides full box scores for each playoff game (ESPN (box score)).

Did the Celtics make the playoffs in 2026?

Yes, they entered as the No. 2 seed in the East but were eliminated by the Knicks in the semifinals.

What is the biggest rivalry of the Boston Celtics?

Historically, the Lakers are the Celtics’ biggest rival, but the Knicks series in 2025 reignited a classic East rivalry.

Who won 8 NBA championships in a row?

The Boston Celtics won 8 consecutive NBA championships from 1959 to 1966.