The Celtics didn't care about the cost of retaining their championship core after their dominant 2024 NBA Finals triumph last season. They hoped to break a long drought of NBA champions failing to defend their title. The last team to successfully do so was the 2018 Golden State Warriors, following up their 2017 triumph with another title.

The Knicks blew out the Boston Celtics to secure a 4-2 series win over the reigning NBA champion. New York had the result wrapped up by halftime after it won the second quarter by 21 points. Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Co. will now face the Indiana Pacers for a spot in the 2025 NBA Finals.

The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks have renewed their rivalry in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. New York is one win away from its first Eastern Conference finals a