Brunson and Anunoby helped lead the stunning overtime comeback, as the Knicks won while dealing with a frustratingly hostile atmosphere to start Game 1.
Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby propelled the New York Knicks to a dramatic 108-105 overtime victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series on Monday night.
Overcoming a 20-point third-quarter hole at TD Garden, the Knicks clenched the crowd with a vociferous second-half rally. Brunson, who had 40 points in New York’s clinching win over Detroit, followed that by scoring 29 with five 3-pointers. Anunoby also had Brunson’s scoring counterpart in nine first-half buckets made from deep.
No. 2 seed Boston, the NBA defending champion, seemed to be in control after zooming to a 72-52 advantage early in the third quarter. But while Brunson and Anunoby combined for 21 points in third quarter to cut the deficit, the Celtics’ offense went cold.
It was in the fourth that the Knicks took the lead, after an 11-point spurt from Brunson, but he missed a potential game winner with three seconds left in regulation. Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns led the charge in overtime to get the comeback done.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown scored 23 points apiece to lead Boston. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla cited second-half breakdowns on the defensive end as the reason for the loss.
Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday in Boston, where the Celtics will aim to even the series.
