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The Eastern Conference semifinals between the New York Knicks and the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics have gotten off to a stunning start. In Game 1, the Knicks overcame a 20-point third-quarter deficit to win in overtime, and they overcame the exact same type of deficit in Game 2 to take a 2-0 series lead.
They have gotten it done with grit, resourcefulness and teamwork. Neither of the first two games have been artistic or pretty, but the Knicks have harassed Boston into some very poor shooting, and Boston has helped by stubbornly sticking to its game plan, even when it continued to fail.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau praised his team's intangibles following Game 2.
"We'll always have the belief in each other... it's about your mental toughness, your defense, and your teamwork."
"We'll always have the belief in each other... it's about your mental toughness, your defense, and your teamwork."
— NBA (@NBA) May 8, 2025
Coach Thibs on the Knicks resiliency after two straight comeback wins https://t.co/Fv8dPxun17 pic.twitter.com/PvFMuNKMY4
During the regular season, New York won 10 fewer games than the Celtics and lost all four games it played against the Celtics. Its defense, which had been so strong last season, was faulty and inconsistent, and as a result, few picked it to win this series.
Instead, it has now placed a huge amount of pressure on the Celtics as the scene shifts to Madison Square Garden for the next two games.
Offensively, New York has had a balanced attack, while the Celtics have watched Jayson Tatum throw up brick after brick. He shot 7-of-23 from the field in Game 1, and if that wasn't bad enough, he went 5-of-19 in Game 2.
As a team, they have gone ice-cold, especially from 3-point range, for long stretches of the second half of both games. Meanwhile, the Knicks have varied their shot profile and looked to attack the paint often enough to keep the Celtics honest on defense.
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Celtics Notes: Major Trade Update, All-Star Signing Urged, Ex-Celtic Champion Cut
The Boston Celtics have a major trade update amid an otherwise unpredictable offseason. The roster is already at an incredibly different place than last season, but Boston is reportedly shopping a $45 million guard to shed some salary and shake things up around the league even more. Additionally, the roster movement isn't expected to cease as the Celtics have been urged to sign an All-Star point guard. A pair of team insiders discussed the idea of bringing in the former No. 1 overall pick to bolster the new-look team. Finally, a former Celtics champion has been cut from a Western Conference squad. The 22-year-old will now search for his next home to continue his professional basketball life. Here’s more information on these stories and all the latest Celtics news (click the headline for the full article): Celtics Could Trade $45 Million Guard in Major Roster Shakeup: Report Celtics Urged to Sign Former All-Star in Major Free Agent Move Former Celtics NBA Champion Released By West Squad Celtics Roster ‘Makes Zero Sense’ Says NBA Insider Jayson Tatum Receives Injury Advice From Former Celtics Forward Former Celtics Forward Says His Injuries Are the Reason Jayson Tatum Became Superstar in Boston Celtics Tweets of the Day: For more news and notes on the Boston Celtics, visit Boston Celtics on SI.
All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit in the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .214/.286/.407 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
Yankees have finally found their third baseman in Ryan McMahon
After years of speculation and nothing materializing, the New York Yankees have at last acquired third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, per the New York Post's Jon Heyman. Pitching prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz are headed to the Mile High City in return. They were the number eight and 21st-ranked prospects in the Yankees' farm system, per MLB.com. Given the Yankees' struggles at the third-base position over the last few years, bringing in a guy who was an All-Star in 2024 and will be much more reliable is a win. Former MLB player and current analyst Cameron Maybin certainly believes that, as he was pushing the McMahon-to-New York narrative over the last week and feels it could be a great fit for both sides. "The third baseman they need plays in Colorado...I'm telling you! Defensively more than adequate and Taylor made for the ballpark offensively," Maybin wrote on social media. Maybin went on to mention how McMahon will feel reinvigorated joining a World Series contender like the Yankees after the last six-and-a-half years of being at the bottom in Colorado. The 30-year-old is not having his best season, slugging 16 home runs and 35 RBI with a .217 average through 100 games with the Rockies, per MLB.com stats. However, he's consistently been a 20-plus home run hitter who drives in runs at a strong rate and has a large sample size of doing so. Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez (.252 average, 36 HRs, 86 RBI) has seemed to be No. 1 target for most teams, and for good reason, but given the Yankees' current situation and weaknesses, McMahon made more sense. Not only does he play a better third base, which New York desperately needs, but he has another two years of control after 2025, whereas Suarez would have been a rental. The acquisition cost was nothing crazy, and adding a lefty bat with some power to potentially take advantage of the short porch at Yankee Stadium is always a bonus. Some may not be satisfied until they see McMahon positively impacting the New York Yankees, but rest assured, this is a very solid pickup.
Packers rookie could miss time after suffering injury in training camp
The Green Bay Packers offense was dealt a bit of a blow early in training camp. Friday, third-round rookie wide receiver Savion Williams was a spectator for practice after suffering a concussion. Williams, chosen by the Packers with the No. 87 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft, is aiming to climb the depth chart at a crowded wide receiver position this summer. At 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds, Williams ran the 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.48 seconds during the NFL Combine and has the profile of potentially becoming a reliable possession receiver and after-the-catch weapon for quarterback Jordan Love and the Packers’ offense. Reaching those benchmarks and climbing the depth chart will have to wait, though, as Williams works his way through the concussion protocol and back onto the field for practices during training camp and the preseason this summer.
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