Game Day: Knicks vs. Celtics, 5/16/21

The Knicks face a simple proposition: win, and you’re the No. 4 seed in the East. Lose, and you’re leaving it to fate. They’re facing the Celtics’ C team in this game — the first option is the only option.

I’m not gonna waste a ton of time prefacing this preview with injury news and stuff when a simple tweet can do all the talking for me:

In a most fitting tribute to the 2020-21 season, the Celtics have ruled out their top seven today in Game 72 versus the Knicks.

No Kemba, Smart, Brown, Tatum, Rob, Tristan, or Fournier.

— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) May 16, 2021

The math here is now simple for the Knicks, thanks to the Bucks beating the Heat last night: win, and you’re the No. 4 seed in the East, likely with a date against the Hawks in the first round and home court advantage. Lose, and you’re leaving your postseason fate up to other teams.

The Knicks are going to end up facing some combination of Payton Pritchard, Jabari Parker, Semi Ojeleye, Tremont Waters, etc. out there parading around like they belong on the same court as the Knicks, which they don’t. Take care of business and beat them.

From a personal standpoint, I was like the biggest Tacko Fall stan ever when he was coming out of college, and it still makes me sad he ended up being a Celtics folk hero instead of a Knicks folk hero. Whatever. Gonna have to beat up on him all the same today.

The game’s at 1 PM on ESPN and MSG, so you already know what network to tune into (the one with Clyde, we only get this game and the first round with him before the big, bad national media takes over). Come hang with us on Twitter and let’s (hopefully) celebrate our Knicks becoming one of the top four teams in the East.