The Boston Celtics were unable to secure a win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, suffering a 108-105 loss to the New York Knicks despite holding a 20-point lead at one point in the game. The Celtics' strategy of relying heavily on three-point shooting backfired, as they attempted an NBA playoff-record 60 shots from beyond the arc, only converting 15. This poor shooting performance, along with late-game defensive slips, opened the door for the Knicks to come back, led by Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, each scoring 29 points.

Looking ahead to Game 2, the Celtics find themselves facing critical pressure; a loss would put them in a daunting 0-2 hole as the series shifts to Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks have shown strength. Head Coach Joe Mazzulla defended the strategy despite the loss, insisting on maintaining the focus on quality shot selection over making drastic changes. However, this approach has drawn criticism from fans, who are skeptical of repeating the same mistakes in Game 2. The Celtics must recalibrate their offensive strategy while tackling the Knicks' defensive schemes to keep their championship quest alive.