Boston Celtics: Brad Stevens Drops Truth Bomb on Losing to the New York Knicks in the 2025 Playoffs 1 May 1, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevenson the court sideline before game one of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics: Brad Stevens Drops Truth Bomb on Losing to the New York Knicks in the 2025 Playoffs

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated May 20, 2025 9:31 AM ET

Boston Celtics president Brad Stevens felt his team let the New York Knicks get away with the first two games of their second-round series, which gave them enough momentum to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Boston lost Games 1 and 2 at home by a combined four points, and Stevens offered a brutally honest take to explain how his team fell to New York during yesterday’s exit interview.

“The reality is we blew the first two games, and that’s why we put ourselves in a tough spot,” Stevens lamented. “I realized, and we all realized, listen, these leads go fast and these games go fast. Yes, you can win when you’re down 2-0, but you just diminished your margin for error.”

Boston Celtics Rumors: Jeff Bezos' Half-Brother is 1 of the 2 New Suitors Keen on Purchasing the Team 3 May 14, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens looks on before game seven of the 2023 NBA playoffs between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

“We had opportunities to win those first two home games, and we put ourselves behind the eight ball. New York gained what I thought was not only confidence but momentum, and they are peaking. You can see it,” he continued.

Boston Celtics News: Brad Stevens looks ahead to the 2025 NBA Draft

Since taking over as the team’s president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens has made huge moves to turn the Boston Celtics into a legitimate championship contender. However, the 48-year-old executive said he doesn’t expect to make big moves in the upcoming NBA Draft, where they have the 28th and 32nd overall picks.

Boston Celtics: Brad Stevens Drops Truth Bomb on Losing to the New York Knicks in the 2025 Playoffs 3 Feb 6, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics general manager Brad Stevens on the court before the start of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

“The only people that will come in and work out for us are people that think they’re between, you know, in our range, or maybe they’re at the bottom end of our range, or whatever the case may be,” Stevens explained.

“So that doesn’t really have anything to do with any of that. Will there be fireworks on draft night? I can’t imagine. But, you know, again, who knows? I wouldn’t guess with us, no,” he added.