Knicks Storm Back to Stun Celtics in OT, Take Game 1 Behind ‘Big-Time Tougness’

The Knicks trailed by 20 in the third quarter, nine to start the fourth, and still found a way.

OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns delivered in overtime, helping New York rally past the Celtics for a 108-105 victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Monday night at TD Garden.

Bridges set the tone for the extra period with a steal on Jayson Tatum, leading to a fast-break dunk from Anunoby, who was fouled and converted the three-point play. Moments later, Bridges buried a 23-footer to put the Knicks up by six. A Towns tip-in with 1:47 remaining proved crucial after Boston pulled within three.

The Celtics had one last shot to tie, but with three seconds left, it was Bridges again — this time ripping the ball away from Jaylen Brown to seal it.

“Those are big-time toughness plays,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters.

Jalen Brunson (29 points) had a chance to win it in regulation, but his banked floater rolled out with 0.6 seconds to go. Anunoby also scored 29 for New York.

New York now holds a 1-0 series lead with Game 2 scheduled for Wednesday, also in Boston.

“OG was terrific the whole game,” Thibodeau added. “The thing I don’t want to overlook –Josh (Hart) was terrific also. KAT had foul trouble, but the rebounding and making tough plays at the end was huge for us. Same could be said for Mikal.”