I didn’t see it coming, you didn’t see it coming, I don’t even think the Knicks saw it coming. Improbably the Knicks managed to not only win game one in Boston, but did it from down 20 points, taking it OT 108-105. Winning the first game of this series would have always felt like a lift, but the Knicks did it such a team oriented fashion that it feels very encouraging for the rest of the series. And yes, let’s caveat it now, the Celtics going 15-60 from three point land played a part in the game as well.

This Knicks win was really a complete team effort, but it was catalyzed by two players in particular. Those two were OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson, who combined for 58 points but did so much more than score. OG was 10/20 from the field, including 6/11 from three, with four rebounds and three assists. His defensive handy work was spot on as well, though that shouldn’t be news.

Meanwhile Brunson spent much of the first half in foul trouble, but managed to get back involved in the second half, in a BIG way. JB went 9/23 (a far better shot total for him), including 5/9 from three, with four assists and five boards. Number 11 made a couple of huge shots down the stretch, which helped get the Knicks to OT, and while he didn’t score in the overtime period, he still made his presence felt.

While Jalen and OG took the starring role, they were backed up by a few key contributors. Mikal Bridges has at times had a difficult first year on Broadway, but game in Beantown was his best yet, in ways that won’t show up in box score. He only went 3/13 from the field for eight points, but he made the key plays you see above in OT to help seal the win. From his big block, to his pair of steal and made three, the Knicks don’t win without him tonight. This effort came in the wake of having a big game 6 in Detroit, so perhaps this iron man 51 minutes played performance is a continuation of him gaining confidence.

Fellow Villanova grad Josh Hart had another energizer bunny performance with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists over 45 minutes played. Karl Anthony Towns didn’t score a ton, but still had 14 points and 13 key rebounds, though the Knicks could do with a few more from him in big spots. Second chance points hurt big time so he needs to step it up on the defensive glass. They even got 14 points from the bench (a lot for this team), as Deuce McBride had 11 in 19 solid minutes, that included three made three pointers.

If there was a frustrating aspect of this game, aside from early foul trouble, it was the Knicks free throw shooting. As a team they went 17/31 from the stripe, an unacceptable total this time of year against the best of the best. In the middle of that was Mitchell Robinson, whose continuing struggles from the line led to the Celtics playing “hack a Mitch.” For those unfamiliar, the strategy started with Mavericks coach Don Nelson, who decided to foul Dennis Rodman to intentionally put him on the line and generate misses. It was further popularized when many teams fouled Shaquille O’Neal, of “hack a Shaq’d” their way through series against the Lakers. Mitch went to the line tonight 10 times, making just three, and taking the Knicks out of their offensive flow. He has to play to spell Towns and to help on the glass, but he’s going to have make at least 50% to stop this charade.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t praise Thibs tonight, who I admittedly have been hard on this postseason. This game was Thibs best work of the playoffs yet, as he got the Knicks back to their roots from a year ago. They got out and ran the floor, played with more tempo and loved the basketball with conviction. He had different people bring the ball up to save Brunson some punishment as well, something we’ve talked a lot about. It was also smart to pull a Brunson for McBride for defensive purposes late, as Brunson kept getting attacked defensively. He prepared them well for this game and adjusted as it went along, and that needs to continue.

The Knicks did the job a road team looks to do in all playoff series, steal the first one on the road. It at minimum guarantees a split, and shifts home court as the Knicks get back home Saturday. Winning game two would be great, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves, as Monday night was already a critical start to the series. Does it mean they’ll win the series? I still don’t think so, but it dramatically increases the odds they can lengthen this series and make this a battle. There are no moral victories this time of year, but the Knicks needed to show they belonged in this series and did just that in game one. The whole city is fired up, and rightfully so, with wild scenes on 7th Ave, both inside and outside the Worlds Most Famous Arena as there was a well attended viewing party for the opener. So let’s enjoy this one, because we all have Knicks fever…right Allen?!

On twitter you can find Mike @Mike_Sheerin, Tyler @TMon_19 and Sean @SeanMartinNFL. Subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner and entering your email address. Check out our Instagram feed @thebroadwaybreakdownsports for special gameday and promotional content. Our podcasts are available on Spotify. Visit the Rangers Ed Shop by clicking the link on our homepage. Check out our mailbag page to join the conversation here on the site and on our partners show, The Rangers Ed Podcast! We’ll be back with more soon!