Celtics Crush Knicks in Game 5, Narrow Series to 3-2
Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals saw the Boston Celtics crush the New York Knicks 127-102 on May 14, 2025, Eastern Time. With the Knicks still in front but the Celtics able to push the series to a sixth game set for May 16 in New York, this significant victory brought the series score to 3-2. For UTC+8 time zone users, the game tipped off at 7:00 AM on May 15, perhaps the "today" mentioned in the question. Though they lacked star player Jayson Tatum, the Celtics displayed extraordinary offensive potency and team depth.
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Overview of the Game
With the Celtics hosting the Knicks, the game was held at TD Garden in Boston. Starting at 7:00 PM Eastern Time on May 14, it was comparable to 7:00 AM UTC+8 on May 15. The Celtics stopped the Knicks' series momentum with a 127-102 victory. NBA.com reports that while the Knicks struggled at 35.8%, the Celtics hit a remarkable 52.4% from the field and 44.9% from three.
Key Player Performances
The Celtics, without Jayson Tatum (sidelined by a Game 4 tendon tear), relied on a balanced attack and stout defense. Here are the standout performances:
| player | points | assists | highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Derrick White | 34 | 2 | 7/13 3PT, +26 plus/minus |
| Jaylen Brown | 26 | 12 | 3/5 3PT, +28 plus/minus |
| Jrue Holiday | 14 | 3 | 2/3 3PT, +23 plus/minus |
| Payton Pritchard | 17 | 3 | 5/14 3PT, top bench scorer |
| Luke Kornet | 10 | 1 | 7 blocks, +20 plus/minus |
Game Analysis
The Celtics' efficient offence and strong defence drove their success. They recorded 27 assists and 12 blocks and 3 steals, helping them suffocate the Knicks. They also hit 22 three-pointers (22/49) against the Knicks' 12 (12/30). The Knicks' defeat was characterised by bad shooting and defensive lapses. While Brunson and Towns performed well, others like OG Anunoby (6 points, 8.3% shooting) and Mikal Bridges (9 points, 28.6% shooting) fell short. The Knicks' 10 turnovers also helped Boston's fast-break points.
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Next Game
Scheduled for May 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York, Game 6 will take off at 8:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 AM UTC+8 on May 17). While the Celtics want to ride their momentum, depending on Derrick White and Jaylen Brown, the Knicks have a must-win to prevent a Game 7. Details on NBA.com will help you find the game, which will broadcast on Max, truTV, and TNT.
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