Celtics Force Decisive Game 7 With Overtime Victory Over Knicks in Eastern Conference Quarterfinal

The Boston Celtics forced a decisive Game 7 in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series with a 112-108 overtime victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night, completing a stunning comeback after trailing by 11 points entering the fourth quarter. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 34 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, while Jrue Holiday added 24 points including the go-ahead three-pointer with 47 seconds remaining in overtime. The victory sets up a winner-take-all Game 7 back in Boston on Saturday, with the winner advancing to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference semifinals.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2ZcbIFFxVk

The Knicks appeared poised to close out the series behind a fired-up home crowd, with Jalen Brunson scoring 31 points including a momentum-swinging three-pointer late in the fourth quarter that gave New York their largest lead of the evening. Brunson's clutch shooting had the Garden crowd on their feet repeatedly throughout the night, as the local hero willed his team forward in pursuit of a victory that would have sent the Knicks through to their first conference semifinal since 2000. However, the Celtics' championship experience proved decisive in the extra period, with Boston outscoring New York 14-10 to claim a victory that seemed unlikely when the Knicks led by double digits early in the fourth quarter.

Holiday's basket proved to be the decisive moment of an electric overtime period that featured four lead changes in the final three minutes. The veteran guard, acquired by Boston in the offseason specifically for moments like these, delivered when his team needed him most, timing his drive to the basket perfectly before finding the corner for a three-pointer that gave the Celtics their first lead since the third quarter. Holiday's composure under pressure epitomized the kind of playoff poise that separates teams capable of winning championships from those that fall short when the stakes are highest.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla praised his team's mental toughness in his post-game press conference, noting that the ability to fight back from significant deficits on the road against a team playing with the Knicks' intensity speaks to the character within this group. The Celtics now return home for what promises to be an electric Game 7 at TD Garden, where Boston has won 15 of their last 17 playoff games. Mazzulla emphasized that his team understands the magnitude of Saturday's contest and will prepare accordingly, acknowledging that nothing less than their best performance will be sufficient against a Knicks squad that has demonstrated they are genuine title contenders.

Watch the breathtaking overtime finish and the defining moments from this crucial Game 6 victory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=celtics-knicks-game-6-overtime-2026