- Jasper Wellington
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Celtics Flip the Script With Lights-Out Shooting in Game 3
Nobody expected the Celtics to turn things around so dramatically after their shaky shooting in the opening games. But by the time the buzzer sounded in Boston’s 115-93 win over the Knicks on May 10, you’d think the lid had popped right off the basket. Fans at TD Garden finally had something to celebrate as Jayson Tatum led the charge with 22 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Not far behind, Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard stepped up with 23 points off the bench, torching the Nets from deep with five threes of his own.
If you’ve been watching this series, you know Boston’s three-point shooting had been ice-cold—just 25 makes after jacking up 100 tries in the first two games. Then Friday happened. Pritchard and Tatum each drilled five threes, and the whole squad followed suit, going a red-hot 20-for-40 from beyond the arc. Suddenly, all that frustration melted away as the Celtics opened up a big first-quarter lead, outscoring the Knicks 36-20, and never looked back.
Knicks Struggle as Boston Takes Control
If you’re a Knicks fan, this one stings. New York’s defense couldn’t keep up with the quick ball movement, and every time the Celtics found space on the perimeter, the shots dropped. Boston built their lead quarter by quarter: 35-26 in the second, then a 25-24 edge in the third to stretch it to 31 points at one stage, pretty much taking the air out of New York’s sails. It turned into bench-emptying time for both teams long before the final whistle.
The Knicks, who had carried a 2-0 series advantage, suddenly looked a step slower trying to chase shooters and never found an answer. Their home-court edge just evaporated. All series long, New York’s strategy was to pressure Boston outside—but with the Celtics finally finding their rhythm, the script flipped. Defense fed offense, and Boston’s energy jumped off the screen.
After the game, Jaylen Brown reminded everyone it’s a long postseason grind, throwing down the challenge: “You’ve got to beat us four times. That’s what it comes down to.” His words echo loud as Game 4 looms; now, it’s not just about momentum but about survival for New York. The Celtics have made their point—they’re not going anywhere quietly. Game 4 suddenly feels like the one that could decide everything.
