Knicks Have Blueprint to Shut Down Eastern Conference Contender

While some people will chalk this loss up to a one-off disappointment, shutting down the Celtics has become a trend for New York. Boston has the second-best offensive rating in the NBA thus far in the 2025-26 season and was second during the 2024-25 campaign.

However, since facing each other in the 2025 NBA Playoffs in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Knicks have had the number of their Atlantic Division rivals. They have figured something out game plan-wise to take the Celtics out of rhythm.

Since their playoff series began in May 2025, the four lowest-scoring games for Boston have all come against New York.

The Knicks built their roster to combat a Celtics team that won the 2024 NBA Finals. It is why they acquired OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, to match up with their style of play.

It worked, with New York defeating Boston in six games to officially end their title defense. What has helped the Knicks create an edge in those games? Their 3-point defense.

Knicks have slowed down Celtics' torrid 3-point shooting

In the game on Feb. 8, the Cetlics made only 17% of their 3-point attempts, shooting seven of 41. That is the lowest shooting percentage from long range Boston has had in a single game this season and the fewest makes, only the third time they failed to make double-digit 3-pointers.

It was more of the same in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. In three of their victories over the Celtics, New York held them to 25% shooting from distance twice and 30% once. 37.5% was the best Boston did against the Knicks in a single game that series.

Along with the 17% shooting in their most recent meeting, in the first victory New York had over their rivals in the 2025-26 regular season, in which they won 105-95, they held the Celtics to 34.1% shooting.

Even in the game that the Knicks lost this year to Boston, they still did a great job of running them off the 3-point line. In the Dec. 2 matchup, New York lost 123-117 but held their opponent to 32.5% shooting from long distance.

It is easier said than done, but slowing down the Celtics from 3-point range is key to beating them. The Knicks have struggled at times this season containing their opponent’s 3-point shooting, but their game plan has clicked when facing off against one of the teams that could be in their way en route to the NBA Finals this season.