The Boston Celtics feel "like death" after seeing their NBA Championship defence halted by the New York Knicks, though Jaylen Brown is sure they will recover.

The Knicks reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years on Friday, rolling past the Celtics with a routine 119-81 victory in Game 6.

That earned them a 4-2 series victory over the 2023-24 champions, whose hopes had been dealt a monumental blow in Game 4, when Jayson Tatum ruptured his Achilles tendon.

He could now miss the entirety of 2025-26, and the team face an uncertain future with a group led by investor Bill Chisholm set to complete a takeover ahead of next season.

Speaking after Friday's loss, Brown – who scored 20 points but had seven turnovers before he fouled out late in the third quarter – said: "Finishing in May feels weird. 

"It's definitely not something we were prepared for. Things didn't go our way this year, and it's unfortunate. 

"But we hold our head up regardless. Losing to the Knicks feels like death. 

"But I was always taught that there's life after death, so we'll get ready for whatever's next in the journey."

pic.twitter.com/5ENjRCp8sf

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 17, 2025

Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby each scored 23 points for the Knicks, who will now face the Indiana Pacers for a place in the NBA Finals. 

They were two of six New York players in double figures, leaving Boston coach Joe Mazzulla to say the Celtics lost to a better team.

"We ran into a great team. You have to tip your hat to the Knicks," Mazzulla said. "They outplayed us. They played better."

Celtics guard Derrick White added: "You'll never get this season back. You're never going to have the exact same team again.

"So obviously, there were some highs and some lows during the season, but at the moment, it's just kind of down."