BOSTON (AP) — In a stunning display of skill and determination, Jayson Tatum showcased his prowess by delivering 25 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists to guide the Boston Celtics to a resounding 118-105 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday. Tatum narrowly missed securing a triple-double for the second consecutive game, having achieved this feat in a previous triumph against Philadelphia on Thursday. Jaylen Brown also made a significant impact with 24 points and eight rebounds, while Derrick White contributed 19 points to the Celtics’ triumphant performance. The victory marked Boston’s fifth consecutive win, maintaining their flawless record of 3-0 against the Knicks this season.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the charge for New York with an impressive 24 points, closely followed by Jalen Brunson who added 22 points to the Knicks’ effort. Despite the Knicks mounting a comeback by narrowing a substantial 77-50 third-quarter deficit to 95-89 early in the final quarter, the Celtics swiftly regained control by embarking on a decisive 10-0 run. Brown played a pivotal role in this surge by scoring the final six points, ensuring Boston’s victory.
Following a disheartening 37-point defeat against the Eastern Conference leaders, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Knicks found themselves trailing by 27 points after Brown and Tatum connected on back-to-back 3-pointers within seconds at the start of the third quarter.
In terms of player updates, Josh Hart made a welcome return for the Knicks after missing the previous two games due to a sore right knee. Despite his commendable defensive efforts and offensive contributions, including a notable performance of 20 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, it proved insufficient to bridge the competitive gap between the two teams.
Looking ahead, the Knicks are set to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, while the Celtics will travel to take on the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.
Key moment: Amidst the Knicks’ resurgence, a crucial play unfolded as White delivered an inbounds pass to Kristaps Porzingis, who electrified the crowd with a emphatic one-handed dunk. This momentum-shifting play occurred during Boston’s pivotal 10-0 run, effectively quelling New York’s hopes of staging a significant comeback.
Key stat: Notably, Boston has averaged an impressive 127 points in their three victories over New York this season.
Up next: The Knicks will host the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, while the Celtics are scheduled to face the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.
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