The Celtics fell again at TD Garden to the Knicks (90-91) so they will travel to New York with a 0-2 deficit in the series, a record that leaves the reigning champions on the brink of a knockout if we look at the history of when a title tie started that way.
In NBA playoff history, 424 series have started 0-2 and only 34 times has the team that started losing in that way managed to come back and win the series, 8% compared to 92% in which the team that took that initial lead ended up winning.
In fact, in the last five seasons (including the first-round playoffs that have taken place this season), only five teams have managed to come out on top after starting the series by losing the first two games.
The last five comebacks from 0-2
In 2021, the Milwaukee Bucks did it against the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals (4-2), and that same season it was also achieved by the Los Angeles Clippers against the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference semifinals (4-2)
In 2022, it was the Mavericks who came back from 0-2 down against the Suns in the Western Conference semifinals (4-3). A year later, the Warriors defeated the Kings in the first round of the Western Conference (4-3) after starting the playoff 0-2.
The last team to join this select group was the Pacers, who last season eliminated the Knicks in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals (4-3) after starting the series on the wrong foot (0-2).
Boston came from 0-2 down twice in its history
The reason for optimism that the Celtics can cling to is that they have already been able to stage two such comebacks after starting a playoff 0-2. It was in 1969 in the Finals against the Lakers, and in 2017 against the Bulls in the first round of the Eastern Conference. However, a year later, in 2018, they succumbed to the Cavaliers in the Eastern Finals after also starting with a 0-2.
We can get back to the series, there’s no doubt about it. If I had to pick players to do something like that, it would be the group we have in our locker room. We have to respond
The Boston Celtics are in a bit of a mess, but they are not throwing in the towel. Jaylen Brown made it clear after their second loss to the New York Knicks: “We can get back into the series, no doubt about it. Obviously, being 2-0 down sucks, but we have a great group. And if I had to pick players to do something like that, it would be the group we have in our locker room. We have to respond.”
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