The Boston Celtics faced a crushing defeat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks, surrendering a 20-point lead and ultimately losing 91-90 at TD Garden. With this loss, the Celtics find themselves in a challenging 0-2 series deficit as they head to Madison Square Garden for Game 3. The Celtics struggled mightily in the fourth quarter, missing 13 consecutive shots and committing 16 turnovers throughout the match. Jayson Tatum had an off night, shooting only 5-of-19 and committing a critical turnover when it mattered most. In contrast, the Knicks capitalized on Boston's errors, with Mikal Bridges scoring all 14 of his points in the decisive fourth quarter, including a pivotal steal from Tatum that sealed the victory.

Jaylen Brown and Derrick White emerged as the leading scorers for the Celtics, each contributing 20 points, while Tatum managed just 13 and Jrue Holiday added 10. Reflecting on the team’s approach moving forward, Brown emphasized the importance of unity, stating, "We’ve got to respond" to this setback. Historically, the Celtics have not encountered a 2-0 deficit since the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat, a series they ultimately lost. Moreover, the Celtics' current plight is underscored by the fact that no defending champion has advanced past the second round since the Golden State Warriors did so in 2019.