Jaylen Brown called on his teammates to respond with unity and resilience after the Boston Celtics dropped Game 2 at home to the New York Knicks, falling behind 2-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Speaking to reporters after Boston’s 91-90 loss at TD Garden, Brown stressed the need for collective accountability and composure entering a critical road stretch.
“Each other,” Brown said when asked what the Celtics would lean on heading into Game 3. “It’s an opportunity to show what we’re made of… we got to respond.”
The defending champions surrendered a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter for the second consecutive game, allowing New York to close on a 23-4 run.
Brown acknowledged the Celtics’ defense held up but pointed to missed offensive chances late as the turning point.
“Our offense let us down,” he said. “We had physicality, we had energy on defense… we just wasn’t able to convert in the fourth quarter.”
Boston shot 36.2 percent from the field and 25 percent from deep, missing 13 straight shots during a nearly nine-minute scoreless drought to close the game.
Tatum, who finished with 13 points, was stripped by Mikal Bridges on the final possession, marking the second consecutive game the Knicks ended with a defensive stop.
Brown remained composed in addressing the team’s struggles to execute down the stretch.
“We got to be better to close games,” he said. “Shift your mentality, shift your focus. What’s in the past is over with.”
While the Celtics’ offensive collapse has been the story of both games, Brown refused to dwell on missed opportunities, instead emphasizing short-term memory and leadership.
“You take the night, let it sting,” he said. “Tomorrow’s a new day… the next focus is Game 3.”
Brown also reflected on a brief moment of solitude in the locker room postgame, describing it as a time to regroup.
“Being down 0-2… what’s done is done,” he explained. “We got to make sure we’re ready to come out and play Celtic basketball.”
Boston’s core, including Brown, Tatum, and Derrick White, combined for several open looks late but failed to convert.
Despite the disappointment, Brown expressed full confidence in the group’s ability to respond on the road.
“We got a great group that has stayed together through it all,” he said. “If I had to select any guys that can get it done, it’s the group that we have in our locker room.”
The Celtics now face an uphill battle, heading to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 on Saturday in a must-win situation.
Teams that take a 2-0 lead on the road in a best-of-seven series have historically advanced 85.7 percent of the time.
Brown, however, sees an opportunity, not an end.
“Just like we down 0-2, we can tie this thing back up,” he said.
