How do you hope to win a game, precisely a playoff game, after missing 45 three-pointers? Yes, forty-five, you’ve not read that wrong! The Boston Celtics might have had the biggest blown lead in their postseason history against the New York Knicks. Driving Monday’s big night into OT, Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby emerged. Like a phoenix from its ashes, the Knicks bounced back, taking a 108-105 win vs. the reigning champs.
The Celtics led by 16 points at halftime; entering the third quarter, ESPN’s reports say they had a 98.3% winning chance. This means the Knicks had only a 1.7% chance to turn the tables. And, wow- that record evolved into a 100% winning result. As unreal as it may sound, ESPN’s some 40 predictions that said Joe Mazzulla’s boys would win or were the favorite didn’t age well.
Speaking with the media after the game, Jalen Brunson cleared his mindset about the same. One of the reporters asked, “There are 40 predictions from ESPN’s experts. All of them said you’re not winning tonight. After this game, got any message for them?” The 28-year-old guard replied in a word: “No.” Chipping in 29 points in a game that mattered the most, Brunson shut down all the odds and predictions that said the NYK may not win.
Meanwhile, talking about the Cs 15-of-60 3-pointer disaster, Jalen said, “They still got a lot of threes up. It’s on us to limit their attempts. For the most part, we made them tough. They had some easy looks we were thankful they missed.” He added: “We’ve got to keep making it tough, because you never know when they’ll start hitting. Earlier this year, they almost had a record on us, shooting 60 threes. We need to be better in that area. We can’t let them shoot that much or get open shots up.”
Despite hitting only 15 shots, the Celtics continue to be a threat to the Knicks’ WCF dreams. Therefore, Jalen Brunson‘s emphasis on enhancing their shooting game seems more valid than ever. Meanwhile, New York’s locker room seems to be brimming with emotions as they made it to the second round. Thus, clearing the first game, how are the players going to flush it and move on? “Tonight, we all go back, eat dinner together, then wake up to a brand-new day. Game 2—0-0. Got to go out there and do the same thing. That’s our mindset. We flush this as quickly as possible,” Jalen Brunson confessed.
Meanwhile, amid all the chaos, Spike Lee’s usual courtside presence was notably missing—he was busy attending the Met Gala last night. In his absence, however, someone else took up the mantle of celebrating with full force. Unsurprisingly, it was Stephen A. Smith. As a certified Knickerbocker, he turned Charles Barkley’s worst nightmare into a loud, proud reality. Naturally, the veteran analyst is never one to stay calm—he’s known for speaking his mind without a filter. But let’s be honest: did anyone truly expect a full-blown fanboy moment from him? Be real—you didn’t.
Stephen A. Smith adds to Chuck’s annoyance as Jalen Brunson & Co. shred Boston at TD Garden
Charles Barkley’s fears have become the truth now. While Mikal Bridges stole the ball from Jalen Brunson’s hands, Chuck said, “Orange and blue skies! Boy, Stephen A. ain’t gonna be unbearable to harm. Spike is worse, isn’t he? I’m gonna have to turn down—I’m gonna have to keep the volume down on First Take.” He wasn’t wrong, though.
Suddenly, First Take’s studio didn’t blare with Stephen A. Smith’s critical thoughts. For a change, it was excitement and sheer joy that echoed throughout. Can you believe that he jumped before the camera, celebrating Jalen Brunson & Co.’s outstanding game? Unbelievable, yes.
fkgjreigoa pic.twitter.com/diMAT55a89
— Peter Cuneo (@CuneoPeter24) May 6, 2025
He celebrated the standout performances of Jalen Brunson and O.G. Anunoby, rallied behind the Knicks‘ momentum, and called out the opposing champions for needing to respond in Game 2. His hype, chants, and repeated “Go New York, go!” showed how pumped he was for the Knicks’ playoff run, especially with TD Garden awaiting the next battle.
Therefore, just like that, the script flipped. From 1.7% odds to 100% triumph, the Knicks with Brunson in action rewrote destiny at TD Garden. Meanwhile, Stephen A. turned into every Boston fan’s waking nightmare. Yet, as Game 2 looms, the celebrations are behind. Now, it’s grit, grind, and doing it all over again.
The post Stephen A. Smith Irritates Charles Barkley Further as Jalen Brunson Remains Tight-Lipped Over ESPN’s Disrespect appeared first on EssentiallySports.
