Madison Square Garden, New York — October 24, 2025
In a highly anticipated season opener, the Boston Celtics were narrowly defeated by the New York Knicks, 119–113, at Madison Square Garden. This matchup marked the first of four meetings between these Atlantic Division rivals in the 2025–26 NBA season.
Game Recap
The Celtics, missing All-Star forward Jayson Tatum due to a torn Achilles, faced an uphill battle against a Knicks team eager to build on their strong preseason performance. Despite the absence of key players, Boston remained competitive throughout the game, with Jaylen Brown leading the charge, contributing 27 points and 8 rebounds. Derrick White also added 22 points and 6 assists, showcasing his playmaking abilities.
The Knicks, however, capitalized on their home-court advantage. Jalen Brunson orchestrated the offense with 24 points and 9 assists, while Julius Randle provided a dominant presence in the paint, scoring 21 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. The Knicks’ depth and cohesion proved to be the deciding factors in this closely contested game.
Key Moments
The game was tightly contested throughout, with both teams exchanging leads multiple times. In the final minutes, the Knicks’ defense tightened, limiting the Celtics’ scoring opportunities. A crucial steal by RJ Barrett in the closing seconds sealed the victory for New York, preventing Boston from mounting a last-minute comeback.
Injury Report
Boston’s injury woes continue with the absence of Jayson Tatum, who is expected to miss a significant portion of the season. The Celtics also played without Luka Garza, who is recovering from a concussion. For the Knicks, Mitchell Robinson was sidelined due to injury, but the team managed to secure the win without his presence in the lineup.
Looking Ahead
The Celtics will look to regroup and adjust to life without Tatum as they prepare for their next game. The Knicks, on the other hand, will aim to build momentum from this victory and continue their strong start to the season.
For more detailed statistics and highlights from the game, visit the official NBA website.
