Boston Celtics stay alive with a win over New York Knicks
The defending champions Boston Celtics survive another day after beating the New York Knicks, 127-102, on Thursday, May 15 (PH time), at the TD Garden.
Refusing to go down quietly, the Celtics delivered a strong statement at home to extend their Eastern Conference Semifinals series. They now trail the series 2-3 and will need another must-win effort to force a Game 7 and keep their championship hopes alive—this time without their franchise cornerstone, Jayson Tatum, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Game 4.
The first half was a back-and-forth battle, with both squads trading baskets and energy. By halftime, the score was tied at 59, reflecting the intensity of a game where neither side wanted to blink.
But the second half belonged to Boston.
The Celtics came out of the locker room firing, outscoring the Knicks 32-17 in the third quarter behind suffocating defense and precise execution on offense. That run gave them a 91-76 cushion heading into the final frame.
Boston didn't let up in the fourth. With their season on the line, they kept their foot on the gas, closing out the game with a 36-26 quarter to complete a wire-to-wire second-half performance and secure the 25-point blowout win.
In the absence of their star Tatum, Derrick White answered the call and delivered a playoff career performance. He poured in 34 points, shooting an impressive 7-of-13 from the three-point area and 9-of-11 from the stripe. White, who played almost 40 minutes as a starter, also added three rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in a complete performance that energized the home crowd.
Jaylen Brown also took on a bigger role and nearly posted a triple-double. He finished with 26 markers, 12 dimes, eight boards, and a steal, helping orchestrate the offense and anchor the Celtics' aggressive pace throughout the night.
Jrue Holiday and Al Horford chipped in with 14 and 12 points, respectively, providing veteran stability in a high-pressure situation. Meanwhile, Boston’s bench stepped up in a big way. Payton Pritchard contributed 17 points, along with five rebounds, three assists, and a steal—showing his ability to contribute across the board. Luke Kornet was a force inside, tallying 10 points, nine boards, and an impressive seven blocks while shooting a perfect 100% from the field.
The Celtics’ collective effort was key, especially with their top scorer sidelined. They showed depth, heart, and urgency—traits that define a defending champion’s mindset.
On the other side, Josh Hart led the Knicks with 24 points, while Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 and 19, respectively. Despite a strong first half, New York couldn’t withstand Boston’s second-half surge.
Game 6 is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, at 8:00 AM (PH time), at Madison Square Garden in New York. It’s another win-or-go-home situation for the Celtics as they aim to push the series to the limit and keep their title defense alive.
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The East Asia Super League (EASL) is officially set to raise the curtain on its new season with a twin opening in Taipei and Tokyo on October 8, 2025 — a move that reflects the league’s expanding reach and growing stature as Asia’s premier basketball competition.
All eyes in Taiwan will be on the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, which will host a blockbuster doubleheader featuring some of the region’s most decorated clubs.
The action tips off with a clash between the B.LEAGUE champions Utsunomiya Brex and the P. LEAGUE+ runners-up Taipei Fubon Braves. Utsunomiya, led by veteran guard Makoto Hiejima, entered as one of Japan’s most successful franchises. The Braves, meanwhile, look to prove their resilience after falling short in a grueling seven-game finals series last season, banking on the leadership of Chinese Taipei legend Lin Chih-Chieh.
The second game of the night brings a rematch between the P. LEAGUE+ champions Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Japan’s Ryukyu Golden Kings. Their last encounter came in the 2025 EASL Final Four semifinals, where Taoyuan stunned Ryukyu, 71–64. This time, the Golden Kings are eager for redemption, while the Pilots hope to reaffirm their place among Asia’s elite.
Game schedule (HKT):
- Utsunomiya vs. Taipei Fubon – 6:30 PM
- Taoyuan vs. Ryukyu – 8:30 PM
China came within a single basket of toppling Oceania powerhouse Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup final, bowing 90-89 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but sending a clear message that it remains a force in Asian basketball.
The Chinese squad, bannered by Hu Mingxuan and Hu Jinqiu, led by as many as 15 points through three quarters before faltering in the final minutes against the defending champions. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the performance was a reminder of China’s proud basketball heritage and its potential return to continental supremacy.
Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals after triumphing over host nation Saudi Arabia in a tense 95-88 overtime victory on Monday, August 11 (Tuesday, August 12 in Manila) at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Justin Brownlee once again showed his ‘Never Say Die’ attitude after drilling a contested three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left to force the extra period. He went on to finish with 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds, paving the way for a quarterfinal showdown with two-time defending champion Australia on Wednesday, August 13.
Brownlee’s heroics set the stage for Kevin Quiambao, who buried two triples in OT to complete a 17-point performance alongside three dimes and three deflections.
"It was a special game, it was a special performance from both teams," said head coach Tim Cone. "They (Saudi Arabia) posed a lot of problems for us, and by all rights, they had the game won — except for the guy sitting to my right (Brownlee). If you know his history, that’s not unusual. He’s been hitting big shots."
AJ Edu anchored the middle with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, while Dwight Ramos chipped in 13 markers, 10 boards, three dimes, and a rejection.
Beyond Brownlee’s late-game magic, the Philippines secured the win by neutralizing Saudi Arabia’s high-scoring duo of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Mohammed Alsuwailem in the extra frame.
Abdur-Rahkman erupted for 33 points on 8-of-14 shooting from deep, while Alsuwailem tallied 26 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks — but the two combined for only five points in OT as Gilas closed the door on the hosts’ upset bid.
The Scores:
Philippines 95 – Brownlee 29, Edu 17, Quiambao 17, Ramos 13, Fajardo 6, Tamayo 5, Thompson 4, Newsome 4, Malonzo 0, Perez 0, Aguilar 0.
Saudi Arabia 88 – Abdur-Rahkman 33, Alsuwailem 26, Almuwallad 10, Abdel Gabar 8, Ma. Almarwani 4, Belal 3, Kadi 3, Mo. Almarwani 1, Shubayli 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 40-37, 60-59, 79-79 (reg.), 95-88 (OT).