Westchester Knicks Rally Past Maine Celtics in Playoff Clincher
The Westchester Knicks secured a playoff spot with a thrilling 122-113 comeback victory over the No. 1-seeded Maine Celtics. Pacome Dadiet led the team with a score of 25 points, which included seven three-pointers, three of which came in crucial moments during the game. Moses Brown dominated the paint, finishing with a monstrous double-double of 20 points and 21 rebounds.
Entering the game third in the Eastern Conference, two games behind the Maine Celtics, the Knicks faced a challenge without their leading scorer, T.J. Warren, who missed the contest for personal reasons. Questions loomed about who would step up as the go-to scorer.
Celtics Jump Out, Knicks Fight Back
The Celtics jumped out to an early 8-2 lead, fueled by Drew Peterson and Miles Norris. However, the Knicks quickly responded, with Brown attacking the rim and Dadiet knocking down a three. Brown gave the Knicks their first lead with a three-point play, though he missed the free throw.
Maine’s hot perimeter shooting soon re-established a 24-16 lead, aided by Norris’ thunderous dunk and Hason Ward’s alley-oop finish. The Celtics seemed unstoppable, but the Knicks clawed back. Kevin McCullar Jr. and Jamal Bey combined to cut the deficit, while Peterson kept Maine ahead, finishing the quarter with 38 points in total for the team.
Knicks Rally in the Second Half
Despite a 15-point deficit early in the second, the Knicks slowly chipped away. Jordan Tucker hit a vital three-pointer, and a Johnny Davis dunk reduced the gap. Dadiet and Brown’s scoring efforts trimmed the lead to just eight points by halftime. In the first half, Maine shot 51% from the field and 67% from three, but Brown (16) and Boo Buie (11) kept Westchester within striking range.
The third quarter saw Maine open strong with an 8-2 run, pushing the lead to 20, but the Knicks continued to fight. Dadiet nailed a deep three, Okeke converted a layup off a steal, and the Knicks narrowed the margin. Maine answered with Davidson and Norris connecting on key plays, keeping their lead within reach.
Westchester Knicks Clinch Playoffs
The fourth quarter shifted the momentum. The Knicks initiated a scoring spree after tying the game at 107. Dadiet drained three consecutive threes, giving Westchester a six-point cushion with 2:41 remaining. Maine struggled, missing their first six shots until Norris ended the drought with a tip-in, but the Knicks had already sealed the victory.
Four Knicks—Brown, Dadiet, Okeke, and Buie—finished with 20+ points, showcasing a balanced offense despite Warren’s absence. The team shot 56% from three in the second half, opening up their scoring opportunities. Meanwhile, Maine finished with 38.5% shooting from the field, 37% from three, and 9-10 from the free-throw line.
Both teams now await their playoff matchups, with Westchester riding the momentum of a thrilling comeback that secured their postseason berth.
