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Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Knicks And Celtics Adding Lore To Ghost Rivalry

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Frederick Okocha | Last updated May 8, 2025 3:31 AM ET

The New York Knicks pulled off another miracle at TD Garden. Down by 20 points in the third quarter, the Knicks clawed their way back to defeat the Boston Celtics 91-90 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Mikal Bridges, who had not scored through three quarters, erupted in the fourth with 14 points. He also sealed the win by swiping the ball away from Jayson Tatum in the final seconds. Jalen Brunson added 17 points and hit two clutch free throws to give the Knicks the lead with 12.7 seconds left. Josh Hart chipped in 23 points while Karl-Anthony Towns dominated inside with 21 points and 17 rebounds. The Knicks will now return home with a 2-0 lead—something few saw coming. This iteration of the Knicks-Celtics rivalry, the league’s oldest rivalry, has delivered high-stakes drama.

Knicks And Celtics Adding Lore To Ghost Rivalry

Game 1 followed a similar script. The Celtics built a sizable lead before going cold late. Bridges sealed that win too, stripping Jaylen Brown as time expired in overtime. These cardiac Knicks are now up two games against the reigning champions and have completely flipped expectations.

Knicks Celtics Rivalry Begins to Heat Up Again

The Knicks-Celtics rivalry has long been dormant, but this year’s playoff series is breathing new life into it. Historically, both franchises boast legendary legacies. But in recent decades, they’ve rarely clashed in meaningful games. Boston dominated the regular season, sweeping the Knicks with ease. That makes New York’s 2-0 lead all the more shocking.

Despite the long histories of both teams, their postseason meetings have lacked consistent drama. This is only their sixth playoff meeting since the 1980s. However, the Celtics and Knicks have now played 69 playoff games against each other. With Boston leading 36-33, this series has the potential to tilt that balance.

Their last playoff matchup came in 2013. Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks past a Celtics team nearing the end of the Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce era. Before that, they hadn’t met since 1990. Those sparse encounters helped turn what should be a marquee rivalry into more of a footnote.

Ghost Rivalry Awakened by Tight Contests

This year, the Knicks-Celtics rivalry has finally returned to center stage. Game 1 and Game 2 were nail-biters. Each finish added a layer of tension and excitement for fans on both sides. For younger audiences, this is likely their first taste of real postseason drama between these two iconic teams.

This isn’t the first time the rivalry has surged. In the 1984 Eastern Conference semifinals, Bernard King nearly led the Knicks past Larry Bird’s Celtics. King dropped 44 points in Game 6, but Bird responded with a 39-point triple-double in Game 7, leading Boston to the NBA Finals.

The Golden Era of the Rivalry

The rivalry reached its peak in the early 1970s. The Knicks eliminated Boston in Game 7 of the 1973 Eastern Conference Finals. It was the Celtics’ first Game 7 loss ever. A year later, Boston exacted revenge by beating the Knicks in five games. John Havlicek starred in those final games, pushing Boston to the Finals once again.

Even earlier, in the late 1960s, the two sides began building their competitive tension. The beginning of the Walt Frazier era clashed with the end of the Bill Russell era. Between 1966 and 1970, the teams won four combined championships, fueling their desire to one-up each other.

A Rivalry Rewritten in 2025

Now, as the Knicks take a commanding lead in this series, the narrative changes. What was once considered a lopsided contest has turned into a dogfight. The Celtics were favorites coming into the series, but New York has exposed their flaws.

Should the Knicks finish the job, this chapter might rank among the rivalry’s most memorable. Two straight 20-point comebacks on the road have stunned the basketball world. And Madison Square Garden, the spiritual heart of New York sports, will host Game 3 with momentum on the Knicks’ side.

This isn’t just about advancing to the conference finals. It’s about reviving one of the league’s oldest matchups. The Knicks-Celtics rivalry has finally found new fire. And these tight finishes are writing a new chapter that future fans won’t forget.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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