Iman Shumpert backs the Celtics as clear Eastern favorites, citing depth, shooting, and Jayson Tatum’s impact over teams like the Knicks.

The Boston Celtics are once again asserting themselves as the dominant force in the Eastern Conference. With a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers, they are now just one win away from advancing—and doing so with growing confidence.

Much of that momentum has been fueled by the return of Jayson Tatum, who has seamlessly reinserted himself into the lineup. Alongside him, Jaylen Brown continues to perform at an elite level, giving Boston one of the most dynamic duos in the league.

Former NBA champion Iman Shumpert has been particularly emphatic in his assessment: in his view, Boston stands alone as the true contender in the East. His reasoning goes beyond star power. It’s about structure, depth, and a clear identity. The Celtics’ ability to stretch the floor and rely heavily on three-point shooting forces opponents into uncomfortable adjustments, often dictating the style of play.

According to Shumpert, this approach creates a mathematical advantage. Teams are compelled to match Boston’s pace and shooting volume, a strategy that often leads to mistakes and inefficiency. In essence, the Celtics don’t just play their game—they make opponents abandon theirs.

Why the Knicks still fall short in the playoff race

While teams like the New York Knicks have shown flashes of competitiveness, Shumpert believes they lack a critical ingredient: depth and trust across the roster. In his analysis, New York relies too heavily on its top-tier talent, particularly Jalen Brunson.

This concentration of responsibility can become a liability in a long playoff run, where rotations tighten but versatility remains essential. Championship-caliber teams typically need contributions from a broader group of players, especially when facing elite competition in later rounds.

The contrast with Boston is stark. The Celtics’ bench provides flexibility, allowing them to maintain intensity and execution regardless of lineup changes. That depth, combined with their offensive philosophy, makes them difficult to contain over a seven-game series.

As the playoffs progress, the question is not just whether Boston can advance—but whether anyone in the East has the tools to stop them. Based on current form and roster construction, the Celtics appear to have both the talent and the system to go all the way.

Magic Johnson believes the Knicks are the Eastern Conference team best equipped to challenge the Celtics after New York’s Game 4 bounce-back against Atlanta.

The Eastern Conference may currently be led by the Detroit Pistons, but Magic Johnson sees the playoff picture differently. In his view, the road to the Finals still runs through the Boston Celtics, and the team best positioned to challenge them may not be Detroit at all. Instead, Johnson has pointed directly at the New York Knicks.

That opinion gained weight after the Knicks’ response in Game 4 against the Atlanta Hawks. After dropping two painful one-possession games, New York looked in danger of losing control of the series. CJ McCollum had delivered big shots, Atlanta had disrupted the Knicks’ rhythm, and pressure was beginning to build around Mike Brown’s group.

Then came the reset. New York delivered its most complete performance of the matchup, tying the series at 2-2 and taking home-court advantage back to Madison Square Garden. The difference was balance: Karl-Anthony Towns controlled the game with a 20-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double, OG Anunoby added 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson managed the offense with 19 points without forcing the issue.

Towns’ role could decide New York’s ceiling

For Johnson, the key is Towns. When the Knicks involve him aggressively and consistently, their offense becomes far less predictable. His ability to score, rebound and pass gives New York a dimension that could trouble elite opponents, including Boston.

That has been one of the central themes of the series. Towns’ touches and late-game involvement had come under scrutiny, especially after Game 2, when he failed to impose himself in the fourth quarter. Brown acknowledged the need to create more opportunities for his star big man, and Game 4 looked like a direct answer to that challenge.

Still, New York is not without concerns. Mikal Bridges remains a storyline after struggling in Games 2 and 3 and logging only 19 minutes in Game 4 despite the win. If the Knicks want to turn Johnson’s bold belief into reality, they will need more from him as the competition gets tougher.

A potential second-round clash with the Celtics would demand near-perfect execution. But after Game 4, the Knicks have at least shown the version of themselves that can make Johnson’s claim feel realistic rather than reckless.

The Knicks face the Hawks in the playoffs with a chance to avenge their 2021 loss, this time without Trae Young in Atlanta.

The New York Knicks return to the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, carrying both momentum and unfinished business. Standing in their path are the Atlanta Hawks, a familiar opponent whose history with New York adds an emotional layer to this first-round matchup.

While the stakes are firmly rooted in the present, echoes of the past still linger — and this time, the script could be very different.

A rivalry shaped by 2021 heartbreak

Few playoff series in recent Knicks history have been as memorable — or painful — as the 2021 clash with Atlanta. That series introduced Trae Young as a villain in New York, as he thrived under pressure and silenced Madison Square Garden.

Young’s performance not only propelled the Hawks forward but also left a lasting impression on the Knicks and their fanbase. His ability to embrace the hostile environment and deliver in key moments turned him into one of the league’s most polarizing figures.

That chapter, however, has now closed. With Young no longer in Atlanta following his move to the Washington Wizards, this year’s matchup takes on a different identity.

A new opportunity to rewrite the narrative

The absence of Young changes the dynamic significantly. While the Hawks remain a competitive and evolving team, they no longer have the same focal point that defined their previous success against New York.

For the Knicks, this presents a unique opportunity. With a deeper roster, greater playoff experience, and the confidence of recent success, they enter the series as clear favorites.

The goal is not just to advance — it’s to do so convincingly. A decisive series victory, potentially even a sweep, would send a strong message to the rest of the conference and reinforce New York’s status as a legitimate contender.

More importantly, it would symbolically close the chapter on past disappointments.

As the series approaches, the narrative is shifting from revenge to validation. The Knicks are no longer the underdog story — they are the team expected to deliver.

And this time, they have everything in place to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself.