The New York Knicks passed their first test of the 2024–25 NBA Playoffs, eliminating a surprisingly competitive Detroit Pistons team led by rising star Cade Cunningham. But with their opening-round challenge behind them, the Knicks now face a far greater obstacle: the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics. Fortunately for New York, they have Jalen Brunson.
Brunson is arguably the most clutch player in the league. And according to him, the underdog role suits this team just fine. Speaking on his podcast, The Roommates Show, Brunson explained why the Knicks are embracing the outside doubt as motivation.
“Now you have to lock in. It’s like, no one believes in us, let’s go do it,” Brunson said. “And for me, I feel like that’s easier than being, ‘oh, we’re so good, everyone thinks that we’re good.’ I like when people doubt us. It makes the process of preparing easier.”
The Celtics enter the second-round series as clear favorites. They’re the defending champions, boast one of the most complete rosters in basketball, and have home-court advantage. But Brunson and his running mate, Karl-Anthony Towns, aren’t backing down—and they have the firepower to make things interesting.
Dennis Schroder #17 of the Detroit Pistons drives the ball against Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on April 27, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.
Brunson’s playoff brilliance
Through six playoff games, Brunson is averaging 31.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game while shooting 43.6 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from beyond the arc, and 81.5 percent at the free-throw line. He hit the game-winning three-pointer to close out the Pistons in Game 6—a shot that highlighted just how dangerous he can be in high-pressure moments.
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Boston ready for the challenge
The Celtics, meanwhile, are focused on continuing their NBA title defense. They’ll host Game 1 at TD Garden on Monday, fully aware of the stakes and the storied rivalry between the two franchises.
“It’s a great stage for basketball, just all the history between Boston and New York,” Celtics star Jaylen Brown told The Boston Herald’s Zach Cox. “It’s great to be able to relive that. Boston versus New York—it don’t get much better than that.” For Kristaps Porzingis, the series adds a layer of personal intrigue—it’s his first playoff matchup against the team that drafted him fourth overall in 2015.
“Even between the fanbases,” Porzingis added, “it’s going to be a war.” With passionate fanbases, star power on both sides, and two of the league’s marquee cities facing off, this series has all the makings of a NBA postseason classic.
