The New York Knicks face a monumental challenge ahead as they prepare for their second-round NBA playoff clash with the Boston Celtics.
MSG play-by-play announcer Mike Breen recently shared his thoughts on the matchup, acknowledging the significant hurdle New York must overcome.
He believes the current Knicks squad has evolved considerably since their previous losses to Boston.
On SiriusXM NBA Radio, Breen broke down how he sees the upcoming Knicks vs. Celtics series as a massive test for New York.
“Clearly, this is going to be the ultimate challenge for them. I still think Celtics, when they’re completely healthy, are the best team in basketball. And they’re just so good, they’re deep, they dominated the Knicks. Now I think the Knicks are a better team than the team that lost to them four times.”
"I think the Knicks are a better team than the team that lost to them four times"
Mike Breen previews Knicks-Celtics with @WorldWideWob and @adaniels33
Hear Game 1 on NBA Radio starting at 7 ET! https://t.co/iiUuqRLa9d pic.twitter.com/I9rCGnNiOk
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) May 5, 2025
Breen also believes the Knicks’ performance improved toward the end of the regular season, and the first-round series against Detroit proved something.
It wasn’t just about advancing, it was about rediscovering their identity.
The Knicks showed real grit and toughness in that series, traits that defined last year’s squad. That fight seems to be back, and with it comes a renewed sense of belief heading into Round 2.
However, Boston dominated their regular season encounters, winning all four games by an average margin of 16.5 points, despite fielding their complete starting lineup in just one of those contests.
For New York to compete effectively against Boston, they must establish a consistently faster pace.
Their strongest showing against Detroit came when they excelled defensively and controlled the boards.
Replicating this performance will be crucial if they hope to contain the Celtics and create a realistic path to victory in this highly anticipated playoff series.
NEXT: Former QB Reveals Latest Date Aaron Rodgers Should Join Steelers