The stage is set for another potential heavyweight clash in the Eastern Conference playoffs. After a hard-fought 112-106 victory for the New York Knicks over the Boston Celtics on Thursday, the possibility of a second-round rematch between these historic rivals is looking increasingly likely.

With just two games left in the regular season, the Celtics hold a two-game cushion over the Knicks for the No. 2 seed, while New York now sits a game ahead of Cleveland for the No. 3 spot. This seeding trajectory points directly toward a postseason sequel to last year's intense six-game series, which saw the Knicks end the Celtics' title defense and was marred by Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury in Game 4.

When asked after the loss if he was eyeing a chance at playoff revenge, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla kept his cards close to the vest. "I’ll take whoever we gotta go through," Mazzulla stated. "We don't get to pick that. We don't get to choose. So, whatever we got to do to get to where we want to get to, we’ll do."

While the Knicks won three of the four regular-season meetings, context is key for Boston. Star guard Jaylen Brown was sidelined for Thursday's matchup, meaning the dynamic duo of Brown and Tatum did not share the floor against New York all season. The Celtics' immediate focus shifts to securing their standing; a win Friday night against the New Orleans Pelicans would lock up the Atlantic Division title and the crucial No. 2 seed.

If the brackets align, fans could be in for a classic, physical series where every possession will be earned—the kind of high-stakes basketball that defines the playoffs.