New York Knicks (0-0) vs. Boston Celtics (0-0) Round 2 Game 1 on May 5, 2025

Hosting the division foe New York Knicks, the Celtics start the Eastern Conference Semifinals. This season, the Celtics were 4-0 versus the Knicks. On opening night, the Celtics started the season with a 132-109 victory in Boston. On February 8 in New York, they triumphed 131-104. On February 23 in Boston, they triumphed 118-105. At last, on April 8 in New York, they triumphed 119-117 in overtime.

The Celtics last season took the series 4-1 over these two clubs. They lost only their last encounter in Boston and won the first four games—2 in Boston and two in New York. The in-season tournament caused them to play one additional game. The Celtics are 308-190 overall all time against the Knicks in the regular season and 179-129 in games played in Boston.

When Celtics rivals are discussed, normally clubs like the Lakers, Heat and Sixers come to mind first, but the New York and Boston rivalry is among the longest lasting rivalries in the NBA. Founded in 1946, the Celtics and Knicks are the only two remaining original NBA teams still in their original cities with their same nicknames.

The Celtics won eight of those series and the Knicks seven; these two clubs have faced each other in the playoffs 15 times. The Knicks took the series 2-0 in 1951, their first playoff meeting. This is their first playoff matchup since 2013. They are meeting past the first round for the first time since 1984.

The Celtics defeated the Orlando Magic 4-1 in their first round series. In the series, injuries haunted them. Jayson Tatum missed Game 2 because of a bone injury in his wrist and Jrue Holiday skipped the last three games of the series. Though he had a bone bruise in his knee and a dislocated finger, Jaylen Brown participated in every game. Five stitches were given to Kristaps Porzingis after he was elbowed in the forehead. Since Tuesday, they have been off for some much required rest and recovery.

The Knicks took 4-2 series over the Pistons. Though it wasn't quite as violent as the Celtics-Magic series, but one was hard contested. The Knicks took Games 1, 3, 4, and 6; the Pistons took Games 2 and 5 in New York; and the Knicks took Games 3, 4, and 6 in Detroit. They finished their series on Thursday, hence they also enjoyed a couple days of rest.

The injury list for both teams is clear with no injuries to report for either club, thanks in part to having 5 days off for the Celtics and 3 days off for the Knicks before the start of this series. Jrue Holiday, who missed the last three First Round games due to a hamstring strain, went through complete practices and is prepared to play in this game. As Game 1 draws near, Jaylen Brown claimed he is near 100%. Jayson Tatum will keep playing in this game despite a bone bruise on his wrist.