The oldest rivalry in the NBA is back! The Boston Celtics had it easy against the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs, comfortably knocking them off 4-1. The New York Knicks, their Atlantic Division foe, on the other hand, needed 6 games to overcome the Detroit Pistons, setting a matchup for the ages in this year’s Eastern Conference Semifinals that begin Monday night at TD Garden.

Jalen Brunson ended Game 6 against Orlando with a spectacular game winner, sinking Detroit hearts in the process. No wonder the NBA chose him as the 2024-25 Clutch Player of the Year. New York’s Captain Clutch averaged a phenomenal 31.5 PPG, reserving his best for last, finishing with a series-high 40 points in Game 6. Knicks would once again be heavily relying on Brunson to carry them offensively against the defending world champs come Monday.

Karl-Anthony Towns, who had a solid series against Motown, would be rearing to go. The Knicks’ big man averaged 19.7 PPG while hauling in 10 RPG in the first round. The little man-big man combo would be looking to go deep into the playoffs, even if it means running through Beantown. The Knicks roster is injury-free, and Tom Thibodeau has all the cards in his pack to play with in Game 1.

The C’s, on the other hand, have firmly set their sights on raising the 19th championship banner, and everyone in the Celtics organization seems to be dialed in. Both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown delivered, ensuring the  Celtics did not have to sweat it out in their first-round matchup. The medical staff of Boston had their hands full against the Magic, but came out without major incident. Jrue Holiday, who missed the last three games against Orlando due to a strained right hamstring, has made a full recovery. He has been cleared to participate in Game 1, another shot in the arm for the 2024 NBA champions.

Potential Starting Lineups for the Knicks and Celtics in Game 1

Both these Eastern Conference heavyweights would want to have a jackrabbit start to the series. Tom Thibodeau has had a long and storied career in the NBA, but the Larry O’Brien Trophy has eluded him as the Head Coach. Now in his fifth season with the Knicks, he would be looking to change his fortunes by taking them all the way. His starting-5 for the all-important ECSF opener on Monday night should look like this:

The Boston Celtics, ever since Joe Mazzulla took over as head coach, have only looked up. The return of Jrue Holiday is a welcome sight for him. Having his ace defender back means the Celtics should be starting Game 1 with the following lineup:

The air in Boston come Monday night will be filled with expectations, and it is to be seen if the C’s live up to this. The Knicks are walking into hostile territory, and will have to be at their absolute best. Who comes out swinging first among these old school rivals is something which every basketball aficionado would love to see.