Knicks again don't quit, seize 3-1 lead on Celtics with Game 4 win - ESPN

NEW YORK — When the final buzzer sounded at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, and the New York Knicks began soaking in their 3-1 lead over the reigning champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, captain Jalen Brunson made a point to calm some of his celebrating teammates down.

Yes, the Knicks were victorious, 121-113, in a pivotal Game 4 that put them one win away from their first conference finals appearance in 25 years. But the job isn't complete yet, the star guard said, and he wanted to drive that point home with Game 5 looming Wednesday night in Boston.

«I was actually telling everyone to get off the court. I was like, it's nothing to celebrate,» said Brunson, who finished with a team-best 39 points and 12 assists on 25 shot attempts.

Nonetheless, Brunson was willing to acknowledge the win was «a big game for us» given that it followed a humbling Game 3 defeat in which he'd said New York appeared to be «subconsciously satisfied» with its initial 2-0 series lead.

The Knicks, who never truly responded in Game 3 after completing 20-point comebacks in Games 1 and 2, showed far greater fight in Game 4. Yes, they again fell behind by double digits — the seventh time in eight matchups this season the Celtics have pounced on the Knicks in that fashion — as Boston caught fire from distance early on. But the Knicks turned up the defensive intensity and quickly sliced into their 14-point third-quarter deficit.

Led by Brunson's 18-point effort in the frame, New York stormed back to take an 88-85 edge into the fourth, electrifying the home crowd.

«The way we responded is what I'm most proud of. Sticking together. Most of all, not quitting,» said Brunson, who was one of four Knicks to finish with at least