The TD Garden was buzzing with anticipation on Sunday afternoon as the Boston Celtics hosted the New York Knicks in a much-anticipated Eastern Conference showdown. Both teams entered the contest riding high—Boston fresh off a thrilling comeback against Miami and a five-game winning streak, while New York had claimed victory in eight of its last nine outings. With the Celtics holding a slim edge in the standings, fans and analysts alike circled this matchup as a potential turning point in the race for conference supremacy.
Heading into tip-off, the Celtics faced adversity on the injury front. Jayson Tatum, still sidelined as he recovers from an Achilles tear, remained unavailable, and sharpshooter Sam Hauser was ruled out due to back spasms. The Knicks, too, were dealing with a battered roster. Starters Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns were all listed as questionable after a bruising loss to the Pistons just two days prior. Towns was recovering from a concussion, Anunoby was nursing a sore toe, and Hart had exited Detroit’s game early with an ankle injury. Key reserve Miles McBride was also out indefinitely following core muscle surgery, but new trade acquisition Jose Alvarado was set to make his Knicks debut.
Despite the absences, the stage was set for a classic. The Celtics, who had recently bolstered their frontcourt by acquiring Nikola Vucevic from the Bulls, were eager to see how their new addition would fare in his second game wearing green. Vucevic had impressed in his debut, posting an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double and logging more minutes than any other Celtics center. Jaylen Brown, Boston’s offensive engine in Tatum’s absence, had poured in 29 points in the comeback win over Miami and entered the Knicks game averaging 29.5 per contest—good for fourth in the league.
New York countered with its own firepower. Jalen Brunson, averaging 27.1 points per game (ninth in the NBA), had been the heartbeat of the Knicks’ offense all season. Karl-Anthony Towns, if healthy, brought a formidable inside-out presence, while OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges offered defensive grit and timely scoring. The Knicks’ recent surge up the standings had them nipping at Boston’s heels, and with both teams splitting their last two head-to-head meetings, the rivalry had never felt more balanced.
From the opening tip, it was clear this would be no ordinary matinee. The Celtics, perhaps feeling the effects of their depleted bench, struggled to find their rhythm from deep. Boston finished the afternoon shooting a paltry 17 percent from beyond the arc—a season low—while the Knicks were red-hot, draining 40 percent of their triples. The shooting disparity quickly became the story of the game.
After a tightly contested first half, the Knicks seized control in the third quarter, outscoring the Celtics 25-15 and taking a commanding 17-point lead into the final frame. Jalen Brunson was unstoppable, weaving through Boston’s defense and finishing with a game-high 31 points. According to NBC Sports Boston, “Jalen Brunson and the Knicks earned a 111-89 victory over the Celtics at TD Garden in a matinee matchup Sunday.” Six Knicks players finished in double figures, showcasing New York’s depth despite the injury concerns coming into the day.
Jaylen Brown did his best to keep Boston afloat, leading the team with 26 points, but the Celtics’ offense sputtered without Tatum and Hauser. Four Boston players reached double digits in scoring, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with the Knicks’ balanced attack. Nikola Vucevic turned in another solid effort with 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists, continuing to acclimate to his new teammates and system.
With the loss, the Celtics’ five-game winning streak was snapped, and both teams now share identical 34-19 records in the Eastern Conference standings. The defeat was a gut punch for Boston fans, who had hoped to see their team further distance itself from a surging New York squad. Instead, the Knicks’ victory tightened the race atop the conference and underscored just how competitive the East has become this season.
Looking at the broader context, both teams’ recent trends hinted at a close contest. The Celtics had gone 8-2 in their previous ten games but were only 5-5 against the spread, while New York matched that 8-2 record and boasted an 8-2 mark against the spread. The teams’ statistical profiles were similarly impressive: Boston averaged 115.6 points per game and allowed just 108.4, while New York scored 117.5 and gave up 112.3. The over/under for the matchup was set at 213.5, and with the final score landing at 200, the under comfortably hit—perhaps a surprise given both teams’ offensive firepower.
Individually, the Celtics leaned heavily on Brown, Derrick White (17.4 points per game), and Vucevic (16.8 points per game), while Payton Pritchard and Neemias Queta provided valuable minutes. For the Knicks, Brunson’s scoring was complemented by Towns (if available), Anunoby, Bridges, and Josh Hart, each capable of swinging the momentum with a timely bucket or defensive stop. The Knicks’ ability to withstand injuries and still deliver a team-oriented win spoke volumes about their depth and coaching.
Broadcast nationally on ABC and streamed via the ESPN app, the game drew a wide audience, with local fans tuning in on 98.5 The Sports Hub. The betting markets had favored Boston by 3.5 points, but New York’s upset win not only covered the spread but also sent a message to the rest of the NBA: the Knicks are legitimate contenders in the East.
Up next, the Celtics will look to regroup as they prepare to host the Bulls on February 11, before embarking on a tough West Coast swing that includes stops in Golden State, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. The Knicks, meanwhile, return home to face the Pacers before another road test in Philadelphia. Both teams will be closely watched as the playoff picture begins to take shape and every game takes on added significance.
For now, the spotlight shines on the Knicks, who walked into TD Garden shorthanded and left with a statement victory. As the season grinds on, one thing is clear: the battle for Eastern Conference supremacy is far from over, and fans can expect more fireworks when these two teams meet again.
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