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Celtics, Thunder Face Playoff Setbacks in Opening Games

Posted : 06 May 2025

 

The Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder both suffered unexpected losses in the opening games of their Conference semi-finals. The Celtics, defending champions, were stunned by a 108-105 overtime defeat to the New York Knicks in the first game of their Eastern Conference series.

 

 The Knicks staged a remarkable comeback from a 20-point deficit in the third quarter, with Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby each scoring 29 points. Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau praised his team's resilience, emphasizing the importance of staying focused through the highs and lows of playoff basketball.

 

The Celtics had their chances to secure the win, with Jayson Tatum, who tied for the team's top scorer with 23 points, missing a potential game-winning shot at the buzzer in regulation. In overtime, the Knicks capitalized, closing out the game to take a 1-0 series lead.

 

 Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged the team's defensive lapses, particularly leaving open some of the Knicks' key shooters. Game two of the series will take place in Boston, where the Celtics will look to bounce back.

 

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder, who finished atop the Western Conference, were narrowly defeated 121-119 by the Denver Nuggets. Nikola Jokic was the standout performer for the Nuggets, putting up an impressive 42 points, 22 rebounds, and six assists.

 

 Aaron Gordon also contributed significantly, scoring 22 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. The Nuggets overcame a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter, finishing strong with a 19-6 run to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

 

Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led his team with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, but it was a late-game three-pointer by Gordon, following missed free throws from Chet Holmgren, that sealed the win for Denver. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault noted the team's lack of clean execution but remained optimistic, stating that the series is far from over and that his team would learn from the loss.

 

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