The Boston Celtics are defined by their ability to shoot the three-pointer, a strategy that has served them well throughout the season. With a remarkable 61 wins and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics have relied heavily on their long-range shooting to secure their spot in the playoffs.
However, Monday night’s Game 1 against the New York Knicks was a stark reminder of what happens when the shots don’t fall. The Celtics set an NBA playoff record for missed three-pointers, with a staggering 45 attempts coming up empty in a shocking 108-105 loss. After building a commanding 20-point lead, Boston couldn’t hold off a determined Knicks team that capitalized on their struggles.
Despite their impressive record, the Celtics’ relentless pursuit of the three-point shot proved to be their undoing. In the second half and overtime, Boston went a dismal 10 for 37 from beyond the arc. The Knicks took full advantage, mounting a comeback that left Boston reeling.
Here’s a closer look at the Celtics’ shooting performance from three-point range that night:
- Derrick White: 5 for 16
- Jayson Tatum: 4 for 15
- Jaylen Brown: 1 for 10
- Jrue Holiday: 2 for 7
- Payton Pritchard: 2 for 5
- Al Horford: 1 for 5
- Sam Hauser: 0 for 2
Interestingly, Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet were the only players who didn’t attempt a three-pointer during the game.
While this night is likely to be pushed to the back of their minds, it’s hard to overlook the Celtics’ remarkable shooting statistics from the regular season. They established a new single-season record for both 3-pointers attempted and made, firing off an astounding 3,955 attempts and nailing 1,457 of them.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla remains optimistic about their approach, indicating that the team will continue to look for those open shots: “I thought for the most part we fought for good looks throughout the game.”
Both Tatum and Brown acknowledged that some of their shots felt forced and that driving to the basket may have been a better option on certain possessions.
Yet, Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns succinctly captured the essence of the Celtics’ struggle: “Some [missed] shots were lucky. They missed some threes I think we all know they make.”
If history is any indication, the Celtics are likely to keep knocking down three-pointers as the series unfolds. It’s on the Knicks to find a way to match their firepower when those shots start to fall. The Celtics’ reliance on the three may have backfired in Game 1, but with their remarkable offensive capabilities, don’t count them out just yet.
