By Tiffany Williams –
On Tuesday night at TD Garden in Boston, the Boston Celtics began their quest for back-to-back NBA championships by opening the 2024-25 season against the New York Knicks. The Celtics secured a commanding 132-109 victory.
Jayson Tatum delivered a standout performance, leading the night with an impressive 37 points, four defensive rebounds, ten assists, one steal, and one block. Tatum’s shooting was exceptional, going 14-18 from the field, 8-11 in three-pointers, and 1-2 from the free-throw line.
Derrick White also made a significant impact, contributing 24 points, three rebounds, four assists, and one steal. Jaylen Brown added 23 points, two offensive rebounds, five defensive rebounds, one assist, and one steal to the Celtics’ strong performance. Jrue Holiday also played a key role, adding 18 points, while Al Horford and Sam Hauser combined for 22 points, and Luke Konet contributed four points.
The Celtics demonstrated their dominance in various aspects of the game, scoring 30 points in the paint, 16 second-chance points, and 11 fast break points.
The New York Knicks were led by Miles McBride and Jalen Brunson, both of whom scored 22 points. McBride also contributed two assists, while Brunson secured one defensive rebound and two assists. Mikal Bridges added 16 points, with Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart both adding 12 points, and Cameron Payne contributing 11 points.
The Knicks showcased their resilience with 13 second-chance points, four fast break points, and 42 points in the paint.
Looking ahead, the Celtics are set to face the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC on Thursday night at 7:00 PM. In their previous encounter, the Celtics concluded the 2023-24 regular season with a spectacular 132-122 victory over the Washington Wizards at TD Garden. Payton Pritchard delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a career-high 38 points, along with 12 assists and nine rebounds. Neemias Queta and Svi Mykhailiuk also made significant contributions, setting career-high scores and showcasing remarkable performances.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks are gearing up for their home opener at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Friday night at 7:30 PM, where they will face the Indiana Pacers. The last matchup between the Knicks and Pacers took place on May 19, 2024, during a second-round playoff contest, which saw the Knicks fall to the Pacers, ending their postseason journey.
Sports Insider Daily 