The New York Knicks sent a powerful message to the Eastern Conference on Friday night, dismantling the Boston Celtics 105-95 at Madison Square Garden thanks to a jaw-dropping second quarter and standout performances from Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Knicks Flip the Script With 42-Point Second Quarter
The Celtics came out strong, leading 30-22 after the first quarter and looking poised to bounce back from their opening night loss. But the Knicks had other plans. New York erupted for a staggering 42 points in the second quarter—outscoring Boston by 28 in the period—to seize a 64-44 halftime lead and leave the Celtics reeling.
The Knicks’ second-quarter dominance was fueled by an 11-0 run to start the frame, followed by a 17-0 blitz and a 12-0 surge to close the half. The Celtics simply had no answer for New York’s relentless energy and shot-making during that stretch.
Brunson and Towns Shine Bright
Jalen Brunson was the engine for the Knicks, pouring in 31 points and delivering clutch baskets whenever Boston threatened a comeback. His poise and leadership were on full display, especially in the fourth quarter as the Celtics trimmed the deficit to single digits.
Karl-Anthony Towns continued his hot start to the season, notching his second straight double-double with 26 points and 13 rebounds. Towns also knocked down four three-pointers, stretching Boston’s defense and giving the Knicks a dynamic inside-out attack.
Josh Hart made a notable season debut off the bench, grabbing 14 rebounds in just 19 minutes after recovering from a preseason back injury. However, there was concern as OG Anunoby limped off in the fourth quarter after an awkward landing, potentially impacting the Knicks’ depth moving forward.
Celtics’ Early Season Woes Continue
Boston, now 0-2, struggled to recover from their disastrous second quarter.
Jaylen Brown led the way with 23 points on his 29th birthday, while Sam Hauser chipped in 18 points on six three-pointers. The Celtics have now given up massive quarters in back-to-back games, raising questions about their defensive focus and ability to close out games.
The absence of Jayson Tatum, who remains sidelined, has left Boston searching for answers and leadership in crunch time.
What This Means for Both Teams
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Knicks: New York’s 2-0 start under new head coach Mike Brown has fans buzzing. The team’s depth, defensive intensity, and the Brunson-Towns duo look like a recipe for sustained success. If Anunoby’s injury is minor, the Knicks could be a force in the East this season.
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Celtics: Boston faces early adversity and must regroup quickly. With a tough road game in Detroit up next, the Celtics need to tighten up defensively and find a way to generate offense without Tatum.
Key Stats at a Glance
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | 3PT Made |
|-----------------------|--------|----------|---------|----------|
| Jalen Brunson (NYK) | 31 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 26 | 13 | 2 | 4 |
| Jaylen Brown (BOS) | 23 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Sam Hauser (BOS) | 18 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| Josh Hart (NYK) | 0 | 14 | 2 | 0 |
Looking Ahead
The Knicks will look to keep their momentum rolling as they head to Miami for a Sunday night showdown, while the Celtics travel to Detroit in search of their first win of the season.
Takeaway: The Knicks’ explosive second quarter and the continued brilliance of Brunson and Towns have New York fans dreaming big. For Boston, it’s back to the drawing board as they try to avoid an early-season slide.
Sources
1. Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks Live Score and Stats
2. New York Knicks: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights
3. Five Key Takeaways from New York Knicks' Win Over Celtics
4. New York Knicks On SI
5. CELTICS at KNICKS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS
6. NBA News, Scores, Stats, Standings and Rumors
7. Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks Full Game Highlights
8. Road Trippin' - Podcast
9. Mike Brown on the Knicks' 105-95 victory over the Celtics
10. Covers.com - Sports Betting Odds, Lines, Picks & News 2025
11. First To The Floor: A Boston Celtics Podcast - Megaphone
12. Best Sports Betting Apps 2025: Top Betting Sites Reviewed
