Something’s broken in Boston. You can feel it. This isn’t the same Celtics team that steamrolled through the regular season and looked like world-beaters just a week ago. Two games into their series against the Knicks, the defending champs are down 0-2, staring into the abyss after another shocking collapse on their home floor. The swagger? Gone. The invincibility? Shattered. And if you don’t believe it, listen to the players themselves – Kristaps Porzingis and Jaylen Brown confirmed it loud and clear, things have changed, and maybe not in the way anyone expected.
Game 2 was supposed to be the response, the Celtics flexing their muscles after dropping the opener. Instead, it was déjà vu all over again, maybe even worse. They built another huge 20-point lead, looking comfortable, looking like the champs. And then… they just stopped. They stopped scoring, stopped executing, and stopped looking like they even belonged on the same court as the Knicks down the stretch.
After a loss like that, you expect frustration, maybe some defiance. You don’t expect Kristaps Porzingis, the significant offseason acquisition meant to put them over the top, basically shrugging and saying the pressure’s off now. “Well, in a way, it kind of takes all the pressure off of us, no?” Porzingis mused post-game. “Like, now… I don’t know if you’ve checked the odds—maybe the Knicks are the favorites now, who knows. We were expected to win, so for us to be in this hole right now, with our backs against the wall, we have nothing to lose.“
Jun 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates with guard Jaylen Brown (7) after a play against the Dallas Mavericks in game five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
It’s a stunning admission. Is this genuine belief that they play better as underdogs, a psychological trick to convince themselves, or is it a subtle acknowledgment that the weight of being defending champs, expected to cruise, was maybe too heavy? Saying “nothing to lose” when you’re the defending champs down 0-2 feels like a radical, almost desperate, reframing of reality.
Porzingis didn’t stop there, revealing he’s far from 100%, adding another layer of grim reality. “I’m dealing with something,” he admitted, confirming suspicions after looking sluggish and coming off the bench. “I’m just not feeling my best. I’m not feeling my best at all, but it just kills me inside that it’s happening at this moment.” This context makes his “pressure’s off” comment even more complex – perhaps it’s easier to feel less pressure when you physically can’t perform at your peak.
He acknowledged the reality, “I mean, we’re definitely in a tough situation. You know, it’s… we’re down 0-2.” But he tried to inject some hope, adding, “But again, I’ve been in these situations—on both sides… The momentum can change. Nobody feels sorry for us. We have to go out there and take it—each game, one at a time.” It’s the necessary veteran speak, but the underlying message is clear: the confidence is shaken, the physical limitations are real, and the path forward is incredibly steep.
Jaylen Brown echoed that “backs against the wall” sentiment, but framed it as a test of character. Asked how they turn this disaster around heading to New York, his answer was starkly simple “Each other.” No talk of tactical adjustments or shooting variance, just leaning on internal fortitude. Is that enough against a Knicks team playing with this much cohesion and force? He acknowledged the immediate pain, admitting, “It should sting. Let it sting for the night.” This suggests an understanding that simply ignoring the failure isn’t productive; the frustration needs to be felt, at least momentarily.
(This is a developing story…)
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