Tom Thibodeau After Knicks' 2nd Comeback vs. Celtics, 'You Gotta Play All 48 Minutes'

Never count the New York Knicks out.

New York overcame 20-point deficits in each of the first two games of its second-round series against the reigning-champion Boston Celtics to take a 2-0 lead through two road contests. Wednesday's Game 2 was the latest effort, as it came charging back to earn a 91-90 victory.

"That's the playoffs," Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters. "You gotta keep fighting. Every possession matters. You gotta play all 48 minutes."

The Knicks played their best basketball near the end of those 48 minutes with a 21-2 run in the fourth quarter to help eliminate what seemed to be a daunting deficit. It wasn't all Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns either, as Josh Hart scored a game-high 23 points while Mikal Bridges played important defense.

No defensive play was more important than Bridges' final one against Jayson Tatum, as he forced the Celtics star into a turnover to clinch the win.

That came after Brunson calmly hit two free throws with 12 seconds remaining to give the Knicks the lead for good and complete the comeback. It seemed like the comeback effort would ultimately fall short when Tatum's dunk gave Boston the lead back with 18 seconds left, but Brunson drew the foul on the ensuing possession.

While the Knicks are now in full control, this series is far from over.

Boston is the reigning champion for a reason, and it also went 33-8 on the road this season. By comparison, it was worse at home with a 28-13 mark.

Perhaps the change of scenery will help the Celtics play like they are more accustomed to and not like the version that consistently missed open threes down the stretch of each of the first two contests as the home fans grew restless.

But for now, it is New York celebrating after two incredible comebacks.