For the prank, The Post slipped a jersey of Knicks star point guard Jalen Brunson onto the statue of the coach, who won eight NBA championships in a row from 1959 to 1966, complete with a New York Post cap and Tuesday’s Post — highlighting the Knicks’ 121-113 victory on the backpage wood — under his arm.

Coming into their series against the New York Knicks as a heavy favorite, the Celtics have experienced disaster after disaster. After blowing double-digit leads in Games 1 and 2, they looked to regain their form with a decisive victory in Game 3.