The 2025 NBA Playoffs gave us one of the best series in years. The New York Knicks knocked out the Boston Celtics in six games. It was shocking, dramatic, and full of big player moments.
If you want the real numbers — who scored, who struggled, and who made the biggest plays — you are in the right place. This guide covers every game, every key stat, and the full head-to-head history between these two teams.
The Series at a Glance
The Knicks were the No. 3 seed. The Celtics were the No. 2 seed and defending NBA champions. Most people picked Boston to win. New York had other plans.
Final Series Result: New York Knicks win 4–2
| Game | Date | Winner | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | May 5, 2025 | Knicks | 108–105 (OT) | Boston |
| Game 2 | May 7, 2025 | Knicks | 91–90 | Boston |
| Game 3 | May 9, 2025 | Celtics | Celtics win | New York |
| Game 4 | May 12, 2025 | Knicks | 121–113 | New York |
| Game 5 | May 14, 2025 | Celtics | Celtics win | Boston |
| Game 6 | May 16, 2025 | Knicks | 119–81 | New York |
The Knicks won two road games to start the series. Then they closed it out at home in Game 6 by 38 points — the largest margin of victory in Knicks playoff history.
Game-by-Game Player Stats
Game 1 — Knicks Win in OT (108–105)
This game had it all. Boston led by 20 points at halftime. The Knicks came all the way back and won in overtime.
Knicks Top Performers:
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson | 29 | 4 | 5 | 9/23 |
| OG Anunoby | 29 | 4 | — | 10/20 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 14 | 13 | — | — |
| Josh Hart | 14 | 11 | — | 5/9 |
| Miles McBride | 11 | — | — | 4/8 |
Celtics Top Performers:
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jayson Tatum | 23 | 16 | 6 | 7/23 |
| Jaylen Brown | 23 | 7 | 5 | 7/20 |
| Payton Pritchard | 13 | — | — | 3/5 |
- Boston led 61–45 at halftime after a 25–10 second-quarter run
- The Knicks tied the game at 86 with seven minutes left in the fourth
- Mikal Bridges got the game-winning steal late in overtime
- Brunson scored 6 of New York’s last 8 points in the final two minutes
Game 2 — Knicks Win in a Thriller (91–90)
Another huge comeback. The Knicks trailed by 20 again. They won by one.
Key Stats:
- Mikal Bridges scored all 14 of his points in the fourth quarter
- Jayson Tatum scored just 13 points on 5-for-19 shooting — his lowest total of the season
- Brunson outscored Boston 17–13 in the final five minutes of both Games 1 and 2 combined
“They made every play.” — Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla on the Knicks
This was the pattern of the series early. Boston played well for three quarters. New York took over in the fourth.
Game 3 — Celtics Win
Boston got one back on New York’s home floor. The Celtics won by 22 points. The Knicks came in “subconsciously satisfied,” as Brunson later admitted. Boston’s defense was sharp, and they punished New York for any lapse in focus.
Game 4 — Knicks Win (121–113), Tatum Injured
This was the most important game of the series — and the most heartbreaking for Boston.
Knicks Top Performers:
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson | 39 | 5 | 12 | 14/25 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 23 | 11 | — | 11/15 |
| Mikal Bridges | 23 | 6 | — | — |
| OG Anunoby | 20 | — | — | 8/14 |
Celtics Top Performers:
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jayson Tatum | 42 | 8 | 4 | 16/28 |
| Derrick White | 23 | — | — | 6/12 |
| Jaylen Brown | 20 | 7 | — | 7/16 |
| Payton Pritchard | 12 | — | — | — |
Boston led by 14 in the third quarter. Brunson scored 26 of his 39 points in the second half alone. He also had 12 assists — the full package.
Then, with about three minutes left, Jayson Tatum went down. He grabbed his right ankle, signaled for a timeout, and was pushed off in a rolling chair. He had ruptured his Achilles tendon. He would not return for the rest of the series.
Anunoby hit a key 3-pointer to spark a 14–2 run that sealed the game. The Knicks led 3–1 and were one win from the conference finals.
Game 5 — Celtics Win (Without Tatum)
The Celtics showed real fight. Without Tatum and without Derrick White (calf injury), Boston still went into their building and won. It was a rousing performance from a team that refused to quit.
Jaylen Brown was the leader. The win gave Boston life and forced a Game 6 in New York.
Game 6 — Knicks Blow It Open (119–81)
No drama. Just dominance.
The Knicks led by 41 points at one point. It was the biggest winning margin in Knicks playoff history, surpassing a 36-point win over Milwaukee in 1970.
Knicks Top Performers:
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson | 23 | — | 6 |
| OG Anunoby | 23 | — | — |
| Mikal Bridges | 22 | — | — |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 21 | 12 | — |
| Josh Hart | 10 | 11 | 11 |
Celtics Top Performers:
- Jaylen Brown led Boston with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists — before fouling out in the third quarter
Josh Hart had the first Knicks playoff triple-double since Walt Frazier in 1972. New York outscored Boston 38–17 in the second quarter alone.
The Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.
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Key Player Stats: Full Series Averages
Knicks Players — 2025 Series Averages
| Player | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson | ~29 | 4.5 | 7.0 | ~52% |
| OG Anunoby | ~21 | 4.0 | — | ~56% |
| Mikal Bridges | ~18 | 5.5 | — | — |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | ~18 | 11.0 | — | ~65% |
| Josh Hart | ~12 | 10.0 | — | — |
Celtics Players — 2025 Series Averages
| Player | PPG | RPG | APG | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jayson Tatum | ~25 | 9.0 | 4.5 | Injured in Game 4 |
| Jaylen Brown | ~22 | 6.5 | 4.0 | Team leader after Tatum injury |
| Derrick White | ~15 | 3.0 | — | Missed time (calf) |
| Payton Pritchard | ~10 | — | — | Key bench scorer |
The Star Matchup: Brunson vs. Tatum
This was the story of the series. Two stars. Very different results.
Jalen Brunson — The Clutch King
- Brunson became the first player in the play-by-play era to score 83+ fourth-quarter points in the first eight games of two different playoff runs (2024 and 2025)
- Over the final five fourth-quarter minutes of Games 1 and 2, he outscored Tatum 17–4
- He outscored Boston’s entire team 17–13 in those same stretches
- He had 90 clutch points over the 2024 and 2025 postseasons — the most in a two-year playoff span since Kobe Bryant in 2009–10
- He won the 2024–25 NBA Clutch Player of the Year award
Jayson Tatum — A Tough Series
- Through Games 1 and 2, Tatum shot just 12-for-43 from the field
- He went 5-for-20 from 3-point range in the first two games
- He shot poorly in clutch moments — missing 8 of 10 shots in 19 clutch minutes in the first two games
- He then exploded for 42 points in Game 4 on 16-for-28 shooting with 7 threes
- He was hurt with 3 minutes left in that same game and did not return
Tatum’s season ended with a torn Achilles. It was a brutal end to a brilliant year.
Clutch Stats: Why the Knicks Won the Close Games?
This series showed one key truth: the Knicks are built for tight games.
- Seven of New York’s eight playoff games up to that point came down to the final five minutes
- The Knicks won five of those seven close games
- Brunson thrived under pressure; Tatum and Boston’s offense went cold at the wrong times
- New York came back from 20-point deficits twice — in Games 1 and 2 — both on the road
That is not luck. That is a team built for pressure.
Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks: All-Time Head-to-Head Record
This rivalry goes back decades.
All-Time Regular Season
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 502 |
| Celtics Wins | 309 |
| Knicks Wins | 193 |
Boston has long held the upper hand. But in recent years, the gap has closed.
Last 3 Seasons (2023–2026)
| Stat | Result |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 18 |
| Celtics Record | 11–7 |
| Knicks Record | 7–11 |
Boston still leads the recent matchups, but the 2025 playoffs showed New York is no longer the clear underdog.
Defensive Breakdown: How New York Stopped Boston?
The Celtics are one of the best offensive teams in the league. Stopping them is hard. The Knicks figured it out — eventually.
- Games 3–5 were actually the Knicks’ three worst defensive games all season (129.6 points allowed per 100 possessions)
- Game 6 was their best defensive game of the entire season
- Boston scored just 51 points on 69 possessions in the first three quarters of Game 6 — one of the worst offensive outputs of any team all year
- The Knicks held Boston to 81 total points in the clincher
The turnaround between Game 5 and Game 6 was striking. Thibodeau and his staff made big adjustments.
Key defensive plays in the series:
- Mikal Bridges’ game-saving steal in Game 1 overtime
- Bridges’ game-sealing steal again in Game 2
- Anunoby’s steal and dunk to put away Game 4
- Hart’s team-wide defensive effort in Game 6
Biggest Moments of the Series
Here are the five plays that changed the series:
- Brunson’s clutch run in Game 1 — Scored 6 of 8 points in the final two minutes to send it to OT
- Bridges’ double steal — He made the game-saving play in both Games 1 and 2
- KAT’s double-doubles — Towns was consistent, giving the Knicks a reliable second option every game
- Tatum’s 42-point Game 4 — He was brilliant until the injury cut it short
- Knicks’ 38-17 second quarter in Game 6 — The game was over by halftime
What This Series Tells Us About Both Teams?
New York Knicks
- They are a legitimate title contender — not just a feel-good story
- Brunson is a top-5 player in big moments. Full stop.
- Their depth (Anunoby, Bridges, Hart, Towns) is real
- Tom Thibodeau’s adjustments between games were excellent
- The franchise’s first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000 was well-earned
Boston Celtics
- Tatum’s Achilles injury changes everything for their future
- Jaylen Brown is a true No. 1 option when called upon
- Payton Pritchard and Derrick White were bright spots
- Without their star, this was always going to be a tough close
- The core of Tatum and Brown (both under 30) gives Boston a long window going forward
“Losing to the Knicks feels like death. But I was always taught that there’s life after death.” — Jaylen Brown
2025–26 Season Head-to-Head (Regular Season)
The two teams also faced each other in the 2025–26 regular season. Notable dates included games on October 24, 2025 and December 2, 2025. The rivalry continues to grow with each meeting, especially now that the Knicks have knocked out the defending champions.
FAQs: Boston Celtics vs Knicks Player Stats
Who won the 2025 Celtics vs Knicks playoff series?
The New York Knicks won the series 4–2. They eliminated the defending champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Who were the top scorers in the 2025 Celtics vs Knicks series?
Jalen Brunson (Knicks) and Jayson Tatum (Celtics) were the top scorers. Tatum had 42 points in Game 4 before his injury. Brunson averaged around 29 points per game and was the best clutch performer of the series.
How many points did Jalen Brunson score in the 2025 playoffs against Boston?
Brunson had 29 points in Game 1, 39 points in Game 4, and 23 points in Game 6. He was a consistent force in every game and won the 2024–25 Clutch Player of the Year award.
What happened to Jayson Tatum in the Knicks series?
Tatum ruptured his right Achilles tendon with about three minutes left in Game 4 on May 12, 2025. He had to be carried off the court and missed the rest of the series.
How did the Knicks come back from 20 points down twice?
Brunson took over in fourth quarters. Mikal Bridges hit big shots and made huge defensive plays. The team’s depth — with Hart, Anunoby, and Towns all making key plays — meant the Knicks never gave up.
How many games have the Celtics and Knicks played all time?
They have played 502 regular-season games in NBA history. The Celtics lead the all-time series 309–193.
Who had the best defensive game in the 2025 Celtics-Knicks series?
Josh Hart had a standout performance in Game 6 — 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. Mikal Bridges was the best individual defender, making key steals in both Games 1 and 2.
What was the biggest win in the series?
Game 6 — the Knicks won 119–81, a 38-point margin. It was the largest win in Knicks playoff history.
Who led Boston after Tatum got hurt?
Jaylen Brown took over as the team’s leader. He had 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists in Game 6 before fouling out. In Game 5, his leadership helped Boston win to keep the series alive.
Were there any other notable injuries in the series?
Yes. Derrick White (calf) missed time for Boston. Kristaps Porzingis was also listed as not himself physically throughout the series, limiting his impact off the bench.
Final Thoughts
This was one of the best playoff series of the decade so far. Two great teams. Dramatic comebacks. A heartbreaking injury. And a Knicks team that proved they belong at the top.
If you were watching to find out who the best player in this series was — it was Jalen Brunson. No debate.
For Boston fans, the injury to Tatum hurts more than the loss. But with Brown, White, and Pritchard still on the roster, the Celtics will be back.
The rivalry between these two teams is as alive as ever. And with the 2025–26 season already underway, there will be more chapters to write.
