On Sunday, Jayson Tatum delivered a stellar performance, leading the Boston Celtics to a 118-105 victory over the New York Knicks. Tatum, who posted 25 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists, narrowly missed recording a triple-double for the second consecutive game, following his impressive achievement in a win at Philadelphia on Thursday.
Boston Celtics extend winning streak with dominant performance
Alongside Tatum, Jaylen Brown contributed significantly with 24 points and eight rebounds, while Derrick White added 19 points to help the Celtics secure their fifth consecutive win. Boston’s victory marked their third win over the Knicks this season, underscoring their dominance in the matchup.
New York, led by Karl-Anthony Towns with 24 points, struggled to close the gap. Jalen Brunson also chipped in with 22 points, but it was not enough to overcome the Celtics' balanced attack. Despite a strong individual effort, the Knicks were unable to overcome a substantial deficit and dropped to 0-3 against Boston this season.
Knicks’ late rally falls short
The Knicks showed signs of a comeback after trailing by as much as 27 points. Early in the final quarter, Mikal Bridges’ driving basket helped trim the deficit to 95-89. However, the Celtics responded with a commanding 10-0 run to regain control of the game. Jaylen Brown played a pivotal role, scoring the final six points of the spurt, which effectively extinguished New York’s hopes for a major comeback.
Boston had dominated early in the third quarter, as Brown and Tatum nailed consecutive 3-pointers just 20 seconds apart, extending their lead. The Knicks’ struggles continued, especially after their demoralizing 37-point loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers just days prior.
Josh Hart returns, but Knicks still struggle
The Knicks did receive a boost from Josh Hart, who returned to action after missing two games due to a sore right knee. Hart contributed a solid all-around performance, recording 20 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. Despite his efforts, New York could not overcome the Celtics’ superior team play.
Celtics maintain dominance over Knicks
Boston’s offensive efficiency was evident as they averaged 127 points in their three meetings with New York this season. In addition to Tatum’s outstanding play, a key moment came during Boston’s 10-0 run when White found Kristaps Porzingis for a powerful one-handed dunk, further silencing any hopes of a Knicks comeback.
With the Celtics cruising to another decisive victory, they look ahead to their next game against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. The Knicks will try to bounce back when they host the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.