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**Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.**

**Knicks Dominate Celtics in Game 4, Take Commanding 3-1 Lead; Tatum Injured**

**NEW YORK (AP)** — Jalen Brunson’s stellar performance and a dominant second-half surge propelled the New York Knicks to a 121-113 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Monday night. The win gives the Knicks a commanding 3-1 series lead, putting them on the cusp of their first Conference Finals appearance in 25 years.

However, the victory was overshadowed by a potentially serious right leg injury to Celtics star Jayson Tatum late in the fourth quarter. Tatum, who scored a playoff-high 42 points before his injury, was helped off the court with just under three minutes remaining. The severity of the injury remains uncertain.

Brunson led the Knicks with 39 points and 12 assists. Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns each chipped in with 23 points, while OG Anunoby bounced back from recent struggles to add 20. The Knicks, who were blown out in Game 3, displayed a renewed sense of urgency, particularly in the second half, becoming the first home team to win in the series.

“I think it was a sense of urgency, desperation, just knowing that we have a great opportunity,” Brunson said.

The Celtics now face the daunting task of overcoming a 3-1 deficit, a feat only accomplished 13 times in NBA history. To further complicate matters, they may have to do so without Tatum, who was injured after his leg gave out.

After leading by double digits early in the game, the Celtics took a 62-51 lead into halftime. But Brunson exploded for 18 points in the third quarter, leading a Knicks charge that saw them outscore Boston 37-23.

“Just keep fighting,” Bridges said. “We were down way worse before.”

Following a see-saw battle, an 11-0 run by the Knicks sealed the victory. Derrick White led the Celtics with 23 points, while Jaylen Brown added 20.

“We have to turn that page quickly and do our first job, which is win on Wednesday. That’s the mindset,” Celtics veteran Al Horford said. “As a group, we just have to rally together because obviously we’ve lost our leader, the guy that gets us going.”

The Knicks will look to close out the series in Boston on Wednesday night. If necessary, Game 6 will be played at Madison Square Garden on Friday night.

**Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.**

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