The Celtics need to pick up a win at Madison Square Garden. Follow along with Game 3 against the Knicks.
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But there is good news: Kristaps Porzingis, who has been battling the effects of a March illness, is not on the injury report for Boston.
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Game 3 tips at 3:30 p.m. on ABC. Follow along with live updates from Madison Square Garden.
Celtics-Knicks live updates
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Gasper: The Celtics learned nothing in Game 2. Will Game 3 be different? — 2:15 p.m.
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By Christopher L. Gasper
It's not just the New York Knicks responsible for the Celtics craning their necks looking up from an unthinkable 0-2 hole. It's hubris.
We presumed winning a championship last year changed the Celtics indelibly for the better. Maybe, it just made them more stubborn and arrogant, misled by the playoff path of least resistance they traveled last spring.
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This second-round series has made it clear the Celtics haven't shed or outgrown all their frustrating flaws — playing down to the level of their competition, losing focus after building leads, refusing to adjust to the circumstances of the game they're playing vs. adhering to Joe Mazzulla Math where everything adds up to three(s).
Garden Party
Is the Pope rooting against the Celtics? — 2:00 p.m.
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By Katie McInerney
We may not know which way the Big Man is cheering, but we do know one thing: the Pope is texting about the 'Nova Knicks.
We are the team of destiny now.
Villanova pope 🤝 Nova Knicks
— Mikey O'ver (@MikeyOver1)
First, some backstory, for those who haven't seen the AT&T commercial a million times: Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart played together at Villanova, winning a title together in 2016 (although
And unless you live under a rock, you must know by now that Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, attended Villanova for his undergraduate degree.
When Cardinal Robert Prevost was announced on Thursday as the next pope, the jokes immediately started to hit.
Celtics finding out the New Pope went to Villanova
— lukezim (@lukezim)
But then I started wondering: Could a Cardinal (now pope) truly follow basketball? Especially one who has lived for so long outside of the United States, and has such an important role in the Catholic Church? No way, right?
Yes, way. Yep, you read that right: Pope Leo XIV is, in fact, a basketball fan.
'We've had a lot of fun watching the Knicks because Jalen and Josh and Donte (DiVincenzo) was there and now Mikal is there,'
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He said the pair often text (text!) about Villanova basketball.
'I think that Pope Leo will still keep an eye on the Nova Knicks. I think he'll still keep an eye on the Wildcats, and I think he'll be very proud of not just who they are but the way that they play with a certain spirit and unselfishness.'
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau will take it. When asked about his players' connection to Pope Leo XIV,
'Now they can be forgiven for their sins.'
But Celtics faithful, do not let yourselves despair.
Coach Joe Mazzulla has always been open about his own faith. Perhaps the lack of a Pope could have been the reason for the Celtics' struggles in Games 1 and 2? The numbers check out.
It's hard to dispute this, those are solid advanced numbers right there 🤷🏻♀️☘️
— Mary Poppins ☘️ (@MaryPfor3)
What are we praying for? Just some good basketball. Amen.
Emma Healy can be reached at
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