The Celtics’ 108-105 Sport 1 loss in opposition to the Knicks was all the pieces you realize from dangerous Celtics losses within the playoffs: not doing a ok job at take benefits of mismatches, Jayson Tatum settling an excessive amount of, sloppy turnovers, intestine punching misses resulting in made threes on the opposite finish, and giving up huge offensive rebounds.
We’ve got seen that sport so many instances I made a decision to make an inventory:
Sport 3, 2020 2nd spherical vs. the Raptors
Sport 1, 2020 Japanese Convention Finals vs. the Warmth
Sport 4, 2020 Japanese Convention Finals vs. the Warmth
Sport 3, 2022 2nd spherical vs. the Bucks
Sport 5, 2022 2nd spherical vs. the Bucks
Sport 3, 2022 Japanese Convention Finals vs. the Warmth
Sport 6, 2022 Japanese Convention Finals vs. the Warmth
Sport 4, 2022 Finals vs. the Warriors
Sport 5, 2023 1st spherical vs. the Hawks
Sport 1, 2023 2nd spherical vs. the 76ers.
Sport 4, 2023 2nd spherical vs. the 76ers
Sport 1, 2023 Japanese Convention Finals vs. the Warmth
Sport 2, 2023 Japanese Convention Finals vs. the Warmth
Sport 1, 2025 2nd spherical vs. the Knicks
We will debate if a few of these video games qualify — Sport 4 vs. Philly in ‘23 and Sport 3 vs. Milwaukee in ‘22 are two that I’m not positive qualify, however they’re additionally the one two true street video games.
This is sort of a signature pre title run Celtics bozo gene sport I believed we had been previous this
— Playoff RB (@RyB_311) Might 6, 2025
I’d even be prepared so as to add Sport 5 vs. Golden State within the 2022 Finals, however I left it off as a result of it didn’t slip by the Celtics fingers within the 4th quarter. I’m additionally just a little foggy on the 2020 video games however determined to incorporate them in any case. Sport 2 vs. the Warmth and Sport 6 vs. the Raptors from that 12 months may be added to the checklist.
In numerous these video games, there have been moments which might be seared into my mind. The OG Anunoby buzzer beater, the Bam Adebayo block, the Bobby Portis offensive rebound adopted by again to again Jrue performs in opposition to Marcus Good, Stephen Curry, Trae Younger’s dagger, each of James Harden’s daggers, after which after all, Grant Willams getting in Jimmy Butler’s face.
(Don’t watch the linked movies.)
This sport didn’t have a single second like that, however the Brunson missed floater was setting as much as be it. He mercifully missed that one on the finish of regulation.
It’s simply actually irritating to see this crew lose on this trend so many instances. It has costed them probabilities to win championships. I rewatched Sport 3 of the ‘22 Finals on Sunday and will see that the Celtics had been a greater crew than the Warriors had been. But, they misplaced video games just like the one we watched on Monday. They had been additionally higher than the Warmth had been in 2023.
This isn’t a training difficulty. Three totally different head coaches have over seen losses like this from this crew. It’s a Jays factor. Each Tatum and Brown stated it after the sport, they received too three-point pleased on the finish of the sport.
Jayson Tatum: “There have been in all probability some instances that we settled.”
Tatum stated he believes he might have put extra strain on the rim.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) Might 6, 2025
Jaylen Brown: “In these moments, when the opposite crew has momentum, we are able to’t simply hearth up threes.”
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) Might 6, 2025
The one play that actually jumped off the web page to me was Tatum’s pull up on that final possession.
You’ve the swap, I simply don’t suppose a step again in that spot is the best shot. I do know OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges are standing there in assist protection and that’s in all probability why he took the step-bac,okay however a drive both will get you to the cup or perhaps you’ll be able to kick it out to White or Horford for 3. Possibly he will get stripped, however he’s so sturdy and his deal with is so good proper now that I don’t suppose that occurs.
The query was requested if that is the extra irritating than any of the 2023 losses.
We will all agree this loss was extra infuriating than any loss within the 2023 postseason proper?
— TatumsWrld (@wrldoftatum) Might 6, 2025
I do not suppose so. The Sport 1 and a pair of losses in opposition to Miami had been worse to me. If we wish to broaden the dimensions, within the second, Sport 5 in 2022 in opposition to the Bucks stays the worst I’ve felt after a sport the Celtics weren’t eradicated from. In fact, Sport 4 of the 2022 Finals additionally was worse than this one.
Now, I’ve all the boldness on the planet on this group to bounce again. They’ve executed it so many instances earlier than. A few of our favourite moments are created from losses like this one and I’ve all the boldness on the planet that they’ll bounce again once more.
That does not make what occurred on Monday evening any much less irritating.
