Image Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Boston Celtics Join Previous Five Defending Champions To Extend Crazy NBA Postseason Defeat Record

The Knicks knocked the Celtics out of the NBA Playoffs 2025 with a 119-81 defeat in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Image Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

It is over for the Boston Celtics! The New York Knicks put an end to the Boston Celtics’ NBA Playoffs 2025 journey by handing them a blowout 119-81 defeat in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The reigning champions were aiming to defend their title, and while they were highly favored to come on top in the series, the Knicks’ pulled off an upset over the 18-time winners.

After their loss, the Celtics became the sixth defending champions to get knocked out of the playoffs by Round 2.

As the Knicks paved their way through to the Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics’ defeat extended the NBA’s staggering record depicting the fate of previous defending champions. Over the last six playoffs, the NBA defending champions haven’t been able to move past conference semifinals following their victory season.

After the loss, the Celtics joined the likes of Toronto Raptors, LA Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, in an unwanted NBA record. All these teams failed to make it past conference semifinals following their championship winning season. While the Lakers, the 2020 champions, were knocked out of the 2021 playoffs in Round 1, the rest of the teams failed to make it past the semifinals in their championship defending seasons.

Also Read: New York Knicks Playoff History- What Does the Knicks’ Playoff Record Look Like?

What Lies Ahead in the NBA Playoffs 2025?

As the New York Knicks made it to their first conference finals since 2000, they have booked a berth against the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers became the first team to make it to the conference finals this season. They secured a 4-1 victory over the Eastern Conference toppers, Cleveland Cavaliers in the semifinals.

Both the teams will now engage in a thrilling seven-game series starting on Wednesday, May 21, and aim to make it to the NBA Finals. The Knicks eye their third NBA title, first since 1973 and the Pacers aim to earn their first Larry O’Brien Championship trophy.

The @nyknicks move on to face the @Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, which will begin on Wednesday, May 21 at 8:00 PM ET on @NBAonTNT.

Schedule ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/4v2fdUxju6
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 17, 2025

In the West, the Minnesota Timberwolves have already made it to the conference finals, by taking down the seven-time winners, Golden State Warriors. They will be joined by the winners of the OKC Thunder-Denver Nuggets series, and engage in a seven-game series to decide one of the NBA Finalists 2025.

Also Read: “NFL Needs a Draft Lottery” – Greenberg Slams NFL Draft System, Calls for NBA-Style Shakeup To Boost Ratings

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Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.