The Boston Celtics have put themselves in a hole in their Eastern Conference semifinals series against the New York Knicks, and Kristaps Porzingis believes that could somehow work to his team’s advantage. As you might expect, fans strongly disagree.
The Celtics blew another huge lead on Wednesday night to lose 91-90 to the New York Knicks in Game 2 at TD Garden in Boston, Mass. Joe Mazzulla’s team led by as many as 20 points late in the third quarter and was outscored 30-17 to close out the game.
Boston’s performance in the game was reminiscent of what happened in Game 1, when they set an unwanted record while collapsing down the stretch.
The Celtics are now down 2-0 and facing a great deal of pressure as they head to New York for Game 3. Porzingis does not see it that way, however. The star big man said after Wednesday’s loss that the pressure is now on the Knicks.
“It kind of takes all the pressure off of us, no? I don’t know, if you check the odds, maybe the Knicks are the favorites now to win, who knows?” Porzingis said. “We were expected to win. So, for us to be in this hole right now with our backs against the wall, we have nothing to lose.”
Kristaps Porzingis on going into game 3:
“In a way it kinda takes all the pressure off of us. If you check the odds maybe the Knicks are the favorites now to win.” pic.twitter.com/nZe277Peri
— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) May 8, 2025
Porzingis’ reasoning is flawed, to say the least. The Celtics were the heavy favorite at the start of the series. They are the defending NBA champions and are viewed by many as the best team in the Eastern Conference. Even after Boston lost both of the first two games of the series at home, the Knicks were only a slight favorite to win the series.
The pressure on the Celtics to win the series has not lessened just because they choked in both Game 1 and Game 2. If anything, it has gotten greater, which fans were quick to point out.
I don't think he understands that when you we're expected to win you keep all the pressure until you win it doesn't go away because you start losing
— JustinTheMind (@Justin_The_Mind) May 8, 2025
This is a terrible answer. No, there’s even MORE pressure. Not less.
— Robbie Bangers (@RobertSportsBet) May 8, 2025
Yeah i advise every NBA team to lose first 2 games of playoff series. It takes the pressure off lol. When you are at it, lose the first three, it would make the Knicks even more favorite
— Flamingo Shot (@SengunAlpi) May 8, 2025
File this under: Things I don’t want my players saying after 2 devastating losses
This is a horrible mindset
— Joe’s Picks (@Joes_Picks) May 8, 2025
What Porzingis likely meant to say is that there is no reason for the Celtics to panic. They are, in theory, the better team, and they have played well on the road all season.
That said, no NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in a playoff series. That essentially makes Game 3 a must-win for the Celtics. If that isn’t pressure, what is?
Boston’s inability to put the Knicks away despite having huge leads in Game 1 and Game 2 is a major concern that has resulted in some excellent memes. Porzingis and his teammates all know that, even if his comments were not well-received.
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