Celtics’ Historic 3-Point Collapse Sparks Stunning Game 1 Upset by Knicks—What Went Wrong?

The Boston Celtics’ season-long romance with the three-point shot has been nothing short of spectacular — a dazzling display that netted them 61 wins and the East’s No. 2 seed. Their game plan? Fire away from deep and let the net sing. But, oh boy, Monday night served up a sobering reminder: what happens when those shots just don’t find the bottom of the net? The Celtics embarked on a historically brutal night, missing an eye-popping 45 threes — an NBA playoff record — in a stunning defeat to the New York Knicks. Leading by 20, Boston watched their advantage evaporate as the Knicks clawed back, and instead of pivoting, the Celtics doubled down on their signature long-range assault… which failed spectacularly. It’s a hard pill to swallow when your trademark weapon turns cold, but knowing Boston’s record-shattering regular season in attempts and makes beyond the arc, this won’t be the last you see of their three-point barrage. They’ll come back fighting, fingers crossed for a hotter night at the rim. The Knicks, meanwhile, are left to devise a plan to survive once the green wave’s shooters find their rhythm again.

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Payton Pritchard, 2 for 5AdvertisementJayson Tatum, 4 for 15

Jayson Tatum, 4 for 15

• Jayson Tatum, 4 for 15

  Jayson Tatum, 4 for 15

  Jayson Tatum, 4 for 15

  AdvertisementBrown and Tatum offered more measured responses, saying they felt some shots were forced, or that they should have driven the lane more in the loss.