Knicks edge Celtics in Game 1 thriller of East Semifinals
The New York Knicks clawed their way back from a 16-point halftime hole, forcing overtime and eventually gutting out a 108-105 victory over the defending champion Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals on Tuesday, May 6 (PH time), at TD Garden.
Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby carried the load for the Knicks, dropping 29 points apiece in a gritty all-around performance. Brunson also chipped in four rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while Anunoby added four boards, three dimes, and a crucial deflection down the stretch.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart stepped up big with double-doubles of their own—Towns finishing with 14 points and 13 rebounds, and Hart matching him with 14 markers and 11 boards, adding hustle plays that didn’t show on the stat sheet but shifted momentum. Off the bench, Miles McBride made the most of his minutes, firing 11 points and hauling in two rebounds in just 18 minutes of action.
The Celtics, for their part, leaned on Jayson Tatum’s monster stat line: 23 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and a block. He had solid support from Jaylen Brown, who also tallied 23 points along with seven boards and five dimes. Derrick White posted his own double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Jrue Holiday added 16 points, six boards, and three assists.
Boston came out with poise, eking out a slim 26-25 lead after the first, then erupting in the second quarter with a 35-20 barrage that gave them a commanding 61-45 cushion at halftime.
But the Knicks never flinched.
They stormed back in the second half, flipping the script with a 53-39 counterpunch to send the game to overtime. The Celtics had a chance to end it in regulation, but Tatum's turnaround jumper missed its mark as time expired.
In the extra frame, the Knicks made sure not to waste their second wind. Towns tipped in a crucial miss to stretch the lead to 108-102. Brown answered with a clutch triple to cut it to three, but with the Celtics pushing for one last shot to tie, Brown coughed up the ball—sealing the gritty road win for New York.
Game 2 stays in Boston and tips off on Thursday, May 8 (PH time) at 7:00 AM.
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Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards combined for a powerful one-two punch to lift the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 117-110 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, May 13 (PH time) at the Chase Center. Randle led the way with 31 points, while Edwards followed closely with 30 as the Timberwolves seized a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven Western Conference Semifinal series.
Minnesota’s victory wasn’t just about their stars. Jaden McDaniels made his presence felt on both ends of the floor, posting a solid double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. He also added two assists, a steal, and a block in a well-rounded performance that provided crucial support for the Wolves’ playoff push.
The Warriors, still without their franchise centerpiece Stephen Curry due to injury, leaned on their young core to carry the load. Jonathan Kuminga led the charge with 23 markers, showcasing his athleticism and aggressiveness on offense. Veterans Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green chipped in 14 points each, but the absence of Curry’s leadership and shooting was clearly felt.
As we continue our Player Profile Series, we shine the spotlight on one of the most quietly dominant figures in Philippine basketball history — Alberto “Abet” Guidaben.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and hailing from Mambajao, Camiguin, Guidaben carved out a legendary career that spanned two decades. Born on September 14, 1952, he would go on to become a 16-time PBA champion, two-time MVP (1983 and 1987), and one of the league’s most consistent frontcourt forces during its golden era.
A product of the Agoho Pirates and the University of San Jose–Recoletos, Guidaben’s rise began with the Crispa squad in the MICAA in 1973. A year later, he represented the Philippines at the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran, playing alongside legends like Robert Jaworski.
When the PBA launched in 1975, Guidaben was part of the storied Crispa Redmanizers, initially playing behind stars like Philip Cezar, Atoy Co, and Bogs Adornado. But over time, he emerged from the shadows — transforming from a reliable rebounder into one of the most skilled and versatile big men in the league.
Known for his smooth footwork, soft perimeter touch, and signature off-the-glass jumpers, Guidaben also brought an early form of athleticism to the PBA — even dunking during an era when it was rarely seen. He was a vital contributor to Crispa’s Grand Slam seasons in 1976 and 1983, with the latter also earning him his first MVP award.
As he matured into a franchise centerpiece, Guidaben’s rivalry with fellow big man Ramon Fernandez became one of the most iconic in league history. Their careers were so closely intertwined that they were traded for each other twice — first in 1985, between Tanduay and Manila Beer, and again in 1988, when Purefoods acquired Fernandez from San Miguel in exchange for Guidaben.
Over the course of his 20-year PBA career, Guidaben amassed accolades that include five Mythical Team selections, three All-Star appearances, recognition as one of the PBA’s 50 Greatest Players in 2000, and induction into the PBA Hall of Fame in 2007.
But even after basketball, Guidaben's story of perseverance continued off the court.
In 2010, he was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, a serious neuromuscular illness that forced him into the ICU for eight days. Through steroid treatment, he survived the life-threatening condition. Just two years later, in 2012, he suffered two strokes within one week and was diagnosed with meningitis, once again requiring intensive care.
Despite these terrifying health scares, Guidaben fought his way back — showing the same quiet resilience that defined his playing days.
Alberto Guidaben didn’t just overcome opponents on the hardwood — he overcame life’s biggest challenges with the same calm strength and steady determination.
He didn’t need the spotlight to be great. He simply was.
The New York Knicks continued their impressive postseason run with another big win over the Boston Celtics, 121-113, at Madison Square Garden to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference Semifinal series on Tuesday, May 13 (Philippine time).
With the victory, the Knicks are now just one win away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in over two decades.
Jalen Brunson once again played the role of floor general and go-to scorer, putting up an all-around masterclass with 39 points, 12 assists, and five rebounds. The Knicks star also knocked down four of his eight attempts from three-point range, fueling the team’s comeback effort after an early deficit.
Brunson didn’t have to do it alone. New York showed its depth, with three other players stepping up to provide key scoring support. Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges each scored 23 markers, while OG Anunoby added 20. Towns also pulled down 11 boards, handed out a dime, and registered a block to cap off a strong two-way performance.