Tatum shuts the door on Knicks as Celtics claim first win of the season
Boston beat New York 107–103 on 23 October. Jayson Tatum scored 36 points and made the difference in the closing possessions to give the Celtics their first victory.
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Boston picked up their first win of the season by holding firm to the end against New York at TD Garden on Friday 23 October. The Celtics won 107–103, with Jayson Tatum finishing on 36 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. After their opening defeat in Detroit, they move to a record of one win and one loss. The Knicks, meanwhile, remain winless after two games.
Lead built after the break
The early exchanges did not separate the sides: New York led 27–26 after the first quarter, before Boston went into the interval a point ahead, 50–49. The Celtics then won the third period 33–24, heading into the final twelve minutes in front, 83–73.
That third quarter gave Boston the cushion they needed to withstand New York's comeback. The Knicks won the last period 30–24 but could not take back control on the scoreboard. The final margin of four points shows how much that lead, and the ability to defend it in the closing possessions, mattered.
Tatum settles it late on
The Knicks closed to 99–98 on a basket from Jalen Brunson with less than two minutes left. Tatum answered with two two-point baskets, the first after a move against Josh Hart, the second from the corner. Two free throws from OG Anunoby pulled New York closer, before a three-pointer from Tatum put Boston six clear, 106–100.
Miles McBride's reply from three was not enough. Payton Pritchard added a free throw to make the score 107–103. In a tight finish, the Celtics were able to lean on their top scorer to turn a fragile possession into a lead they could defend.
George and Queta chip in
Paul George and Neemias Queta each scored 15 points. George also grabbed seven rebounds, while Queta pulled down six. Derrick White added 12 points and six assists. Boston turned the ball over only ten times, against sixteen for New York: a useful gap in a game that went down to the final seconds.
The Knicks did find plenty of support, though. Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 22 points and ten rebounds, Anunoby with 20 points, ten rebounds and eight assists. McBride contributed 20 points off the bench and Brunson 19. Hart added ten points and twelve rebounds. But that spread of scoring did not undo the decisive possessions won by Boston.
The Celtics therefore leave their first home game with a win and a more composed finish. New York, meanwhile, have lost both of their opening games. Find the box score and stats on SNA.