Boston’s Historic Shooting Resurgence
The Boston Celtics silenced doubters with a dominant 115-93 Game 3 victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, cutting their Eastern Conference Semifinal deficit to 2-1. This explosive response came after setting an unwanted NBA playoff record—missing 45 three-point attempts in Game 1.

Boston’s shooting transformation was staggering:

• 50% three-point accuracy (20/40) after 25% through Games 1-2

• Bench spark Payton Pritchard: 23 points, 5 three-pointers

• Jayson Tatum’s redemption: 22 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists

“You’ve Got to Beat Us Four Times” – Brown’s Playoff Mantra
Fresh off his 2024 NBA Finals MVP campaign, Jaylen Brown (19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) embodied Boston’s championship mentality:
“We’ve walked this path before. Playoff series aren’t sprints—they’re marathons. Two wins don’t end a story. You need four to close the book on us.”

The Celtics translated this mindset into immediate action, exploding to a 36-20 first-quarter lead through crisp ball movement and lockdown defense that held New York to 20% three-point shooting (5/25).

MSG’s Electric Stage Meets Celtic Pride
Brown acknowledged basketball’s grandest theater: “Madison Square Garden’s energy—the celebrities, the roar, the history—it’s why we play this game.” Yet Boston turned New York’s home-court advantage into their proving ground, maintaining intensity even as the Knicks’ offense sputtered:

• Jalen Brunson: 27-point effort in vain

• Karl-Anthony Towns: 21 points, 15 rebounds

Mazzulla’s “Embrace the Darkness” Philosophy
Coach Joe Mazzulla’s pregame challenge—“Tap into your darkness”—became Boston’s rallying cry after surrendering 20-point leads in Games 1-2. The Celtics showcased championship poise by:

• Preventing a historic 3-0 series deficit

• Fixing late-game execution issues

• Outrebounding New York 48-39

Series Outlook: Pressure Shifts to Manhattan
As the action returns to MSG for Monday’s Game 4, key questions emerge:

• Can New York rediscover perimeter shooting (29% three-point series average)?

• Will Boston sustain their defensive intensity?

• Does Julius Randle’s absence finally haunt the Knicks?

Brown’s closing statement resonated like a playoff manifesto: “This is Celtics basketball—weathering storms, then rewriting narratives. We’re just beginning our story.”

With 23 NBA franchises never having erased a 3-0 deficit, Boston’s Game 3 masterclass ensures this first-round clash retains its must-watch status.