The familiar tension of an Eastern Conference rivalry returned to Boston on Tuesday night as the Boston Celtics battled past the New York Knicks 123–117 — but not before the visitors nearly engineered one of the most dramatic comebacks of the 2025 NBA season.

At the center of Boston’s resilience stood Jaylen Brown , who delivered a season-high 42 points, capping his masterpiece with a breakaway dunk that finally put away New York’s furious fourth-quarter charge. It was the kind of performance that reminded Boston fans of why their All-Star guard remains one of the league’s most complete two-way forces.

But while Brown was the closer, this showdown had no shortage of unexpected heroes.

A Startling Knicks Surge — and an Even Louder Celtic Response

The Knicks opened the night with a stunning 17–4 burst, powered by sharp interior finishes and a barrage of early momentum plays. Minutes later, they held a 39–25 lead, forcing the TD Garden crowd into an uneasy hush.

But then the game shifted.

Boston responded with a 12-0 run, punctuated by Brown’s soaring dunk over the lane that electrified the arena and flipped the energy entirely. Brown erupted for 18 points in the second quarter alone, then added 15 more in the third, nearly willing Boston to an 18-point advantage entering the final frame.

Mikal Bridges Nearly Breaks Boston’s Heart

If the Celtics were expecting a quiet finish, Mikal Bridges had other ideas.

The Knicks star engineered a blistering late surge, dropping 17 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter and shooting a scorching 8-of-12 from three. His personal run — a 12-0 avalanche that cut Boston’s 102–87 lead to just 102–99 — left Celtics fans holding their breath.

New York sniffed the upset. Boston could feel the pressure.

And then came the miss that changed everything: with the deficit cut to four, Bridges launched another deep three — the same shot he had hit all night — but this one rimmed out. Boston grabbed the rebound, and the comeback attempt finally cracked.

Boston’s Secondary Heroes Step Forward

Beyond Brown’s brilliance, Boston’s win was lifted by two unlikely standouts:

• Derrick White buried seven of his 22 points in the final four minutes, providing the calm and control the Celtics needed.
• Jordan Walsh , the 2023 first-round pick, delivered a gritty fourth quarter with six points and five rebounds, including back-to-back putbacks that halted New York’s late charge.

Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns kept the Knicks afloat with 29 points, but New York’s early foul trouble and late defensive breakdowns proved costly.

Celtics Keep Rolling Against Top East Teams

The win marks Boston’s fourth victory in its last five games, all coming against top-tier Eastern Conference opponents. For a team still shaping its new identity, this was a statement: when games get tight, their stars still know how to finish.

What’s Next

• New York Knicks host the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.
• Boston Celtics travel to Washington on Thursday to face the Wizards.

For now, though, Boston can savor a win that was far closer — and far wilder — than the final score suggests.

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