The defending champion New York Knicks are already staring down an 0-2 start to their season after the Boston Celtics held off a furious late push Friday night, securing a 107-103 win. Yeah, you read that right. The team that just hoisted the trophy last season couldn’t get it done on the road in Boston, falling short despite being only 2.5-point underdogs and launching a desperate comeback. Both teams, by the way, have won a championship in the past three years, with New York taking it last season and Boston in 2024. Talk about high stakes early.
Tatum Takes Over, Celtics Find Their First Win
Jayson Tatum was absolutely lights-out for the Celtics, dropping a monstrous 36 points, grabbing nine rebounds, dishing out seven assists, and snagging three steals. He was the reason Boston finally got their first win of the season after dropping their opener to the Detroit Pistons. Tatum wasn’t just scoring either, he stepped up huge at the end, hitting five points in under 30 seconds to squash the Knicks’ comeback attempt. Paul George, in his home debut for Boston, added 15 points, seven boards, and two assists, looking like a key piece already. And how about Neemias Queta off the bench? Fifteen points, six rebounds, and three blocks, providing a much-needed boost while their starters Mitchell Robinson and Jordan Walsh struggled, combining for only nine points. Derrick White chipped in with 12 points, four rebounds, and six assists. The Celtics’ bench as a whole was cooking in the first half, contributing 26 points.
Defending Champs Look Shaky on the Road
For the Knicks, this 0-2 start is a brutal reality check for the defending champs. Jalen Brunson put up 19 points, four assists, and two blocks, trying to rally his squad. Karl-Anthony Towns led the scoring with 22 points on super efficient 9-of-13 shooting, including two threes, plus 10 rebounds. OG Anunoby dropped a double-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. Josh Hart did his thing with 10 points, 12 boards, and five assists. But the real head-scratcher? Mikal Bridges. He finished the game scoreless, going 0-of-8 from the field. That’s a rough night for anyone, let alone a defending champ trying to get their first win. Miles McBride came off the bench big for New York, pouring in 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting, which was crucial to cover for Bridges’ struggles.
The Game’s Wild Swings
This one was tight at the half, with Boston clinging to a one-point lead, 50-49, thanks to Tatum’s 11 points and six boards, plus that hot bench play. Towns had 12 points and eight rebounds for the Knicks at the break, with Brunson adding seven. Then the Celtics blew it open in the third, outscoring the Knicks 33-24 and taking a 10-point lead into the final quarter. But the Knicks aren’t champions for nothing, they mounted a furious 14-5 run, pulling within a single point with only 1:41 left on the clock. That’s when Tatum just took over, shutting down the rally and sealing Boston’s hard-fought win.
The Celtics will look to keep that momentum rolling when they host the Chicago Bulls on Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, the defending champion Knicks head back home to face the Orlando Magic on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET. For a team that just won it all, starting 0-2 with a performance like that from Bridges is absolutely a wake-up call. They need to turn this ship around, and fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
Leave a Reply