The Boston Celtics' 2024-25 regular season concluded with a 61-21 record, securing the second seed in the Eastern Conference. However, their playoff run ended in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they were defeated by the New York Knicks in six games.

The New York Knicks earned their first Eastern Conference finals berth since 2000 with a 119-81 Game 6 victory over the Boston Celtics on Friday night at Madison Square Garden. The game wasn't in doubt after the first quarter,

Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) goes up for a shot against the New York Knicks during the second quarter of Game 1 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference final, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) AP

With the franchise's first trip to the conference finals in 25 years on the line, the New York Knicks left no doubt, sending the Boston Celtics home with a 119-81 rout. This will be the seventh straight season without a repeat NBA champion.

After powering through to the Eastern Conference Finals, New York’s Knickerbockers raised hopes in Game One—then caved to the Indiana Pacers in the final seconds.

It seemed like New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson was waving goodbye to Boston Celtics fans during Game 5 of their second-round series because he believed his team would close things out in Game 6 and not return.

The Celtics were 4-0 against the New York Knicks in the regular season and were the team to beat going into the NBA Playoffs, but they fell apart against them in the postseason.

New York head coach Tom Thibodeau made some huge changes to his approach for an eventual series win over Boston.