A new series means a different kind of opponent. For the New York Knicks, the adjustment they’ve made against the Boston Celtics on Monday has allowed them to steal Game 1 in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Knicks won against the Celtics, 108-105, to have a 1-0 lead in the series. However, there’s a different type of physicality in the way New York played.
In the first round, the Knicks were tested by the Detroit Pistons. The young Pistons squad was physical against New York. Fortunately for Karl-Anthony Towns and the team, they were able to outlast Detroit’s rough play.
In the second round, the Knicks will face a different kind of physicality. Towns knows this and trusts that his team will make reasonable adjustments to counter the defending champions.
“Just a different physicality than the Detroit series, so we’ve got to adjust. I’ve got to adjust, especially,” KAT said.
"Just a different physicality than the Detroit series, so we've got to adjust. I've got to adjust, especially."
Karl-Anthony Towns talks about adjusting to the Celtics series: pic.twitter.com/4cZlgX8MAf
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 6, 2025
“Keep putting ourselves in these type of games, but I think we’ve done a great job of just fighting and giving ourselves a chance to win,” he added.
KAT didn’t have the best scoring performance, but he still secured a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Towns shot 46.2 percent from the field and only had one attempt from beyond the arc.
New York Knicks’ Mikal Bridges sealed the win for the Knicks
Mikal Bridges is known to be a smart defender who’s often assigned to the best player of the opposing team. In Game 1, the Celtics had the chance to extend the game to overtime. Boston’s Jaylen Brown received the inbounds pass with three seconds left in overtime. However, he couldn’t get a shot attempt because Bridges got hold of the ball.
MIKAL BRIDGES SECURES GAME 1 FOR THE KNICKS! pic.twitter.com/GjPSWQRi5X
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 6, 2025
After the game, Bridges had a short response to his defensive strategy, which played an important part late in the game.
“I was just watching his eyes,” said Bridges. “I’m a football guy.”
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau had high praise for how Bridges performed defensively, especially in the final possession.
“Those are big-time toughness plays,” said Thibodeau. “It’s a 50-50 ball and just go get it. That’s what he did. When you’re trying to win a playoff game, they’re hard to win. You have to make plays like that. Your defense, your toughness, your teamwork, that’s paramount in a playoff game.”
The Knicks didn’t lose hope and now have the upper hand in the series.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
