Hart sets a 24-year record with triple doubles! The Knicks beat the Celtics to advance

In the NBA Playoff Eastern Conference Semi-finals G6 on May 17, 2025, the Knicks played against the Celtics at home, leading 3-2, and the Celtics core Tatum was reimbursed for a ruptured right Achilles tendon season. In the first quarter, the two sides confronted each other fiercely, Bridgesli made a breakthrough and helped the Knicks start 7-0, and Jaylen Brown responded continuously. Towns and Bridges made three-pointers in a row, and the Knicks led 26-20 in the first quarter.

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The Celtics' offensive power was cut off in the second quarter. The Knicks switched the full-game tight defense, forcing the opponent to make 4 mistakes in the first 5 minutes, and scored a 10-2 attack wave to establish a double-digit lead. Hart made a continuous fast break counterattack, the Knicks blossomed in multiple points, shooting 58.6% from halftime, 7 of 12 three-pointers, leading 27 points 64-37, setting the biggest single-half difference in the playoffs this season.

White made consecutive three-pointers in the third quarter, and after the Knicks adjusted their defense, Brunson and Hart responded strongly. The third quarter ended at 2:50, Jaylen Brown broke through and left the field with six fouls, and the Celtics were 32 points behind, and the game entered garbage time early. The Celtics made 21 mistakes in the game and fell behind in fast breaks 14-38, while the Knicks always maintained a lead of more than 30 points.

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The five Knicks scored in double-digit points, Anunobi scored 23 points and 9 rebounds, Brunson scored 23 points and 6 rebounds, Bridges scored 22 points, Towns scored 21 points and 12 rebounds, and Hart scored 10 points and 11 rebounds and 11 assists to achieve a triple-double, and was the first Knicks player to have a triple-double in the playoffs since the 1971-72 season. On the Celtics, Jaylen Brown made 7 of 18 shots with 20 points, 6 assists, plus or minus - 31 the lowest in the game, and White made 3 of 8 points, 11 shots. The Knicks won 119-81 and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals 4-2, which will play against the Pacers.

The post-match dispute focused on the impact of Tatum's absence and the garbage time treatment. Tatum averaged 28.3 points per game in the regular season, and his absence imbalanced the Celtics' offensive dependence, with Jaylen Brown increasing the number of double-teams faced by 40%. After leading by 40 points, the Knicks still sent the main player to the middle of the final quarter, and the Celtics coach believed that they were disrespectful to their opponents. In addition, Jaylen Brown’s fifth foul severance has sparked discussion, but the NBA has not released a referee report yet.

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events highlight the decisive impact of the injury of core players on the team, and the Celtic offensive and defensive system exposed its vulnerability due to Tatum's absence. The Knicks advanced with team basketball (28 assists in the game) and defensive strength (limiting the opponent's shooting percentage by 38.1%), and the Celtics need to think about how to build a diversified offensive system and veteran physical fitness management. The nature of the disputed garbage time is a reflection of the strength gap, reflecting the delicate balance between commercial value and competition ethics in competitive sports.