Context:

The New York Knicks staged a remarkable comeback to win the second game of their NBA Conference play-off semi-final against the Boston Celtics, securing a narrow 91-90 victory with Jalen Brunson's crucial free throws in the final seconds. Despite trailing by 20 points in the third quarter and 16 in the fourth, the Knicks, led by Josh Hart's 23 points and Mikal Bridges' decisive defensive play, now lead the series 2-0. Coach Tom Thibodeau praised his players for their resilience and pivotal plays when it mattered most. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder leveled their series against the Denver Nuggets with a dominant 149-106 win, highlighted by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 34 points. Denver's Nikola Jokic struggled in game two, fouling out in the third quarter, as the Nuggets failed to match the Thunder's intensity.

Dive Deeper:

• Jalen Brunson's late-game heroics, with two free throws in the final 12.7 seconds, clinched a 91-90 victory for the New York Knicks against the Boston Celtics, marking their second consecutive comeback win in the series.

• Josh Hart led the Knicks with 23 points, contributing significantly to overcoming a 20-point deficit in the third quarter and a 16-point gap in the fourth, showcasing the team's tenacity and strategic play under pressure.

• Mikal Bridges played a crucial defensive role by knocking the ball away from the Celtics in the final seconds, preventing Boston from capitalizing on the last possession and securing the Knicks' victory.

• Despite finishing 10 wins behind the Celtics in the regular season, the Knicks now lead the reigning NBA champions 2-0 in the best-of-seven series, demonstrating their ability to perform in high-stakes situations.

• Oklahoma City Thunder leveled their series against the Denver Nuggets with a staggering 149-106 victory, propelled by a record-tying 87 points in the first half and a standout performance by MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 34-point performance was pivotal in the Thunder's win, as he led the charge in the first three quarters before resting in the fourth, underscoring his importance to the team's success.

• The Denver Nuggets' star player, Nikola Jokic, struggled in game two, scoring only 17 points and fouling out in the third quarter, which contributed to the team's inability to match the Thunder's aggressive play and intensity.