The Boston Celtics dropped Game 2 of the 2024–25 Eastern Conference NBA Semifinals in heartbreaking fashion, falling 91–90 to the New York Knicks at TD Garden. The narrow loss puts Boston in a 2–0 series hole, and once again, the absence—both physical and in impact—of Kristaps Porzingis was a major storyline.
Porzingis logged just 14 minutes before exiting the game, continuing a troubling trend after playing limited minutes in Game 1 due to illness. Although he came off the bench in Game 2, the Latvian big man never looked like himself.
Speaking postgame, Porzingis offered a grim update on his condition. “I’m just not feeling my best. I’m not feeling my best at all,” he said. “It just kills me inside that it’s happening in this moment.”
Porzingis’ limited availability has hurt Boston on both ends of the floor. His absence has given Karl-Anthony Towns more freedom in the paint, while Jalen Brunson has repeatedly found openings to drive for layups. The Celtics have struggled to match New York’s interior presence, particularly in the rebounding battle and rim protection.
Celtics offense falters down the stretch
Boston’s offense, usually one of the most efficient in the league—especially from three-point range—has collapsed late in both games of the series. The Celtics, who typically thrive from deep, have fallen short of expectations from the field in Games 1 and 2.
According to ESPN’s Zach Kram, Boston shot just 36% from the field and a dismal 25% from beyond the arc (10-for-40) in Game 2. Game 1 saw similar inefficiency. Star duo Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for just nine points in the fourth quarter on Wednesday, a period that proved costly once again.
The Celtics were outscored 23–6 over the final 8:30 of Game 2 and made just one of their final 15 field goal attempts. Boston is now shooting a combined 4-for-26 from three in the fourth quarters of the series so far.
Jaylen Brown: “We’re beating ourselves”
Jaylen Brown, the reigning NBA Finals MVP, didn’t sugarcoat the team’s shortcomings. “(It’s) a bunch of stuff that we can control,” Brown told ESPN. “I feel like we played a little bit fast and sped up—a little antsy. Just… it’s a rough night.”
With the series shifting to Madison Square Garden for Games 3 and 4, the Celtics face a daunting challenge—and they’ll need both better execution and a healthier Porzingis to turn things around.