The Celtics approached their playoff series against the Knicks with significant momentum, largely credited to their aggressive strategy focused on three-point shooting.
However, this tactic backfired dramatically in Game 1. Boston finished with a staggering 60 three-point attempts, missing 45 of them in a 108-105 overtime defeat, which set a playoff record.
With a 20-point lead in the second half, the Celtics seemed ready to secure another victory against the Knicks. But then their shooting stalled. Boston missed their next 10 shots—every single one a three-pointer.
“Some felt good, while others felt forced,” remarked Jaylen Brown, who connected on just 1-of-10 attempts from beyond the arc. “Our rhythm and timing definitely weren’t right. We had plenty of good looks, but perhaps we overdid it today.”
As noted by ESPN Research, the Celtics had 45 uncontested three-point shots, missing 32 of them. The high volume of missed attempts raised concerns.
“In hindsight, if we had a chance to redo it, we would probably drive the ball more often,” Jayson Tatum, who went 4-for-15 from three, said. “You can always reflect and think about the adjustments you could have made.”
In the final moments, the Celtics generated advantageous matchups for Tatum, yet he opted for long-range jumpers rather than driving to the hoop, giving the Knicks an opportunity.
Following the halftime break, Boston managed only 9-of-34 from three-point range. In contrast, the Knicks—who previously allowed 84 three-pointers in four regular-season losses to the Celtics—actually made two more threes (17) with 23 fewer attempts.
“I focus on the process and the quality of our shots—our shot quality was excellent,” said head coach Joe Mazzulla, who typically encourages his players to maximize three-point attempts. “There were definitely eight to ten shots that could have been better.”
Image Source: Jaylen Brown @ Instagram
