Boston Celtics beat New York Knicks 107-103 behind Jayson Tatum
The Boston Celtics held off the New York Knicks 107-103 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, backed by a 36-point performance from Jayson Tatum.
Celtics Offense Fend Off Knicks Late Push
Boston secured the four-point win by shooting 46 percent from the field, hitting 40 of 87 attempts. Jayson Tatum led the charge for the hosts over 36 minutes on the court, adding nine rebounds and seven assists to his game-high 36 points while shooting 14-of-26 overall. Neemias Queta chipped in 15 points and six rebounds off the bench, while Paul George contributed 15 points and seven boards in 33 minutes of action.
The Celtics capitalized on 12-of-16 free throw shooting and converted 15 three-pointers at a 38.5 percent clip. Luka Garza added an efficient eight points in just three and a half minutes of floor time, sinking all three of his field goal attempts including two from beyond the arc.
Knicks Fall Short Despite Balanced Scoring
New York mounted a persistent challenge at TD Garden, placing four players in double figures and connecting on 16 three-pointers as a team. Karl-Anthony Towns anchored the visitors with 22 points and 10 rebounds, shooting an efficient 9-of-13 from the field. Miles McBride added 20 points off the bench, shooting 6-of-8 from deep, while OG Anunoby recorded 20 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.
Jalen Brunson chipped in 19 points and four assists over 37 minutes. Despite hitting 45 percent of their total shots and out-rebounding Boston 44 to 37, the Knicks stumbled at the free-throw line, converting only 15 of 21 attempts for 71.4 percent. Mikal Bridges struggled offensively for New York, going scoreless on eight field goal attempts in nearly 22 minutes of play.
Statistical Comparison at TD Garden
| Team | FGM-FGA | FG% | 3PM-3PA | 3P% | FTM-FTA | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | 40-87 | 46.0 | 15-39 | 38.5 | 12-16 | 75.0 | 37 | 25 | 107 |
| New York Knicks | 36-80 | 45.0 | 16-40 | 40.0 | 15-21 | 71.4 | 44 | 27 | 103 |
The box score shows stark contrasts in second-unit production and ball protection. Boston committed only 10 turnovers compared to New York’s 16, allowing the Celtics to maintain momentum during critical stretches. Game replays remain scheduled for broadcast at 6:00 AM Eastern Time the following morning, with live streaming unavailable on League Pass, according to nba.com.
Injuries and Coaching Decisions Limit Player Rotations
Both teams managed early-season health concerns and coaching decisions that shaped the rotation. Devin Carter remained inactive for Boston due to an injury or illness designation, while Chris Cenac Jr., Mike Conley, and Ron Harper Jr. logged DNPs via coach’s decision. Dillon Mitchell and Amari Williams were also listed as inactive for the Celtics.
For the Knicks, Jaden Akins, Kevin McCullar Jr., and Tyler Nickel were inactive. Pacôme Dadiet, Mohamed Diawara, and Tyler Kolek did not play by coach’s decision. The tight opening-night rotation saw major minutes concentrated among starters, with Tatum logging nearly 37 minutes for Boston and Towns playing 37 minutes and 16 seconds for New York.
Boston ultimately preserved its lead down the stretch, closing out the four-point victory on its home floor.