Alright, NBA fans, buckle up because things just got WILD in Boston. Game 1 of the Celtics-Knicks Eastern Conference Semifinals wasn’t just basketball — it was Shakespearean drama in Jordans. A 20-point Celtics lead evaporated faster than your paycheck on sneaker drop day, and by the end of it, Jayson Tatum wasn’t just upset… he practically applied for the job of NBA Commissioner with his postgame solution: “It’s the playoffs. We should probably just play without the refs.”

No, seriously. Jayson Tatum said that.

Now, Adam Silver, somewhere in an undisclosed bunker full of CBA binders and fine money, just added a fresh migraine to his already overflowing stress pile. Because let’s face it — when the face of your franchise is out here calling for referee abolishment, you’ve officially reached DEFCON 1.

This was supposed to be the Celtics‘ flex game. TD Garden was LOUD. They had the better record, the deeper bench, the mismatches, and even a halftime lead. Tatum had 13 points in the first quarter, Payton Pritchard was cookin’ like it was brunch hour, and Jaylen Brown was doing Jaylen Brown things.

But then, the second half hit, and Boston’s offense fell apart faster than a cheap IKEA shelf. The Celtics shot 60 three-pointers. Sixty! They hit just 15 of them — that’s 25%. You know what else is 25%? The chance your friend shows up to brunch on time.

Don’t get it twisted — this wasn’t just a Celtics collapse. The Knicks earned this one. Jalen Brunson came back from a sleepy first half like he was auditioning for a Fast & Furious sequel — call it “Furious Fourth Quarter.” The Knicks went on a 25-9 rampage in the second half, with OG Anunoby turning into a one-man Avengers squad. First, he hits a three to cut the lead to one. Then he dunks to tie the game. The Celtics were so stunned, you’d think he dropped a mixtape at halftime.

Anunoby finished with 29 points, Brunson matched him with 29 of his own, and Josh Hart plus Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in with 14 apiece. Brunson’s fourth quarter was like watching someone play NBA2K with cheat codes. He was cooking Derrick White, pulling Horford onto switches, and cashing threes like a crypto bro in 2021.

Mismatch Mayhem and ‘Wing Stop’ Defense

The Celtics actually had a plan early — hunt mismatches, get Towns into foul trouble, and mess up the Knicks’ spacing. It worked at first. But then came the counter-punch. When Al Horford started locking up Towns like a bouncer at a VIP lounge, it was Brunson’s turn to get revenge.

He hunted Horford like he owed him money — hitting three after three, forcing switches, and dragging the Celtics’ help defense out of position. It was a masterclass in pick-your-poison basketball.

And let’s give some love to Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby. Nicknamed “Wing Stop”, these two played defense like their contracts depended on it. Bridges, despite shooting just 3-for-13, had the game-sealing steal — literally ripping the ball from Jaylen Brown like a bully taking lunch money. That dude went full anime protagonist on the Celtics in OT.

For the Knicks? Confidence is sky high. They just walked into TD Garden, down 20, and snatched Game 1. That’s gangsta. They’ve got the defensive backbone, the clutch offense, and the belief. This series is far from over, but New York sent a message louder than a Spike Lee courtside scream.

Final Thoughts? Jayson Tatum wants playoff anarchy. The Knicks want blood. The Celtics need a cold shower. And NBA fans? We just want more of this. Let’s ride.