Bill Simmons of The Ringer was visibly frustrated following the Boston Celtics’ disappointing Game 2 loss in the Eastern Conference semifinals. After falling 91-90 to the New York Knicks, Simmons didn’t hold back in his latest podcast episode, harshly criticizing the Celtics’ performance.
“I don’t even have an explanation for this,” he began. “This team was built to be an offensive powerhouse, winning 75 to 80 percent of their games—and now they’ve completely fallen apart two games in a row.”
Simmons was joined by his father, who echoed the sentiments of many fans in the aftermath of the defeat. “Everyone walking down the stairs was saying the same thing: ‘Tatum didn’t show up.’ Sure, he grabbed some rebounds, but he wasn’t involved in the offense. He didn’t assert himself. And when he did have the ball, he was just dribbling aimlessly around the perimeter.”
Simmons’ father called out the Celtics’ lackluster defense in the fourth quarter—an especially critical stretch where the Knicks found their offensive rhythm and seized control of the game.
Bill Simmons didn’t hold back either, suggesting that a deeper issue might be plaguing the team. “I hate to use this word because it can come off the wrong way,” he said, “but this Celtics team has shown an arrogance that always seems to surface at the worst possible times.” Simmons was specifically referencing Boston’s unwillingness to adapt when things aren’t going their way—most notably their insistence on launching threes, despite going ice-cold from beyond the arc. Over the past two games, the Celtics have missed an eye-popping 75 three-point attempts.
These back-to-back collapses rank among the most humiliating of Boston’s season. After squandering a 20-point lead in Game 1, the team followed it up with another fourth-quarter meltdown in Game 2. While the Knicks certainly deserve credit for their grit and execution, there’s a level of complacency within the Celtics that can’t be ignored.
Boston’s star duo hasn’t delivered, either. Jayson Tatum posted a double-double in Game 1 with 23 points and 16 rebounds, but disappeared when it mattered in Game 2, finishing with just 5-of-19 shooting despite grabbing 14 boards and dishing five assists. Jaylen Brown, though managing to score 20+ in both contests, has been highly inefficient, shooting under 35% in each game. Meanwhile, the Knicks have capitalized on Boston’s sloppy play—especially late in games—thanks to clutch efforts from players like Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges, who have come up big on both ends of the floor. Now down 0-2 and heading on the road, the Celtics are in a precarious spot, hoping to regroup and respond with a season-saving win in Game 3 on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.