- Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks Game Overview
- Player Stats — Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks Box Score
- Boston Celtics vs Knicks Match Player Stats Team Stats Comparison — Celtics vs Knicks
- Game Leaders — Top Performers
- Starting Lineups and Probable Starters
- Injury Report — Celtics vs Knicks
- Season Series and Head-to-Head History
- Play-by-Play Highlights and Key Moments
- Broadcast, Stream, and Game Information
- 2025-26 Eastern Conference Standings Context
- NBA 2025-26 League Leaders Reference
- Conclusion
- FAQs
- Who scored the most points in the Celtics vs Knicks game?
- What were the final scores in the 2025-26 Celtics vs Knicks season series?
- Who leads the Knicks in stats against the Celtics?
- Is Jayson Tatum playing against the Knicks?
- What channel is the Celtics vs Knicks game on?
- What are the Celtics vs Knicks all-time head-to-head stats?
- Who are the probable starters for the Celtics vs. the Knicks?
The Boston Celtics vs Knicks match player stats have become one of the most searched topics among NBA fans this season — and for good reason. These two Atlantic Division heavyweights have collided multiple times in 2025-26 with Eastern Conference seeding, home court advantage, and lingering playoff grudges all mixed into every tip-off. Boston sits at 52-25, New York at 50-28, and the gap between them is thin enough that every matchup shifts the standings picture. This breakdown delivers exactly what you came for: full box scores, individual player output, team shooting splits, starting lineups, injury updates, and the key moments that decided each game.
Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks Game Overview
Three regular-season meetings have taken place so far in 2025-26, plus the shadow of a brutal playoff exit still hanging over the Celtics. New York opened the season series on October 24, 2025, at Madison Square Garden with a dominant 105-95 win, erupting for 42 points in the second quarter alone against a stunned Boston defense. The Celtics answered on December 2 at TD Garden, with Jaylen Brown putting up 42 points in a 123-117 win to level the series.
The February 8 afternoon tip at TD Garden — broadcast on ABC at 12:30 p.m. ET — arrived with Boston on a five-game win streak and New York reeling from an 118-80 blowout loss in Detroit the previous night. A fourth and final regular-season meeting is scheduled for April 9 at Madison Square Garden. Referees for the February contest were James Capers, Ed Malloy, Tyler Ford, and J.B. DeRosa.
For broader context: in May 2025, the Knicks eliminated Boston in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, 119-81 at MSG — one of the most lopsided playoff series closers in recent memory.
Records, Standings, and Streaks
Heading into February 8, Boston carried a 34-18 record, good for second in the East behind Detroit. New York sat at 33-19, one game back of the Celtics and third in the conference. By late in the regular season, Boston finished 52-25 while New York landed at 50-28 — separated by just 2.5 games in the Atlantic Division with playoff seeding still unresolved.
Boston’s five-game win streak coming in had them building momentum around a reshuffled roster. New York had snapped an eight-game winning streak with that ugly Detroit loss, arriving at TD Garden shorthanded and out of rhythm.
Last Game Results for Each Team
Boston beat Miami 98-96 at home in a remarkable comeback — they trailed by 22 points at halftime before outscoring the Heat 36-15 in the third quarter. Nikola Vucevic, fresh off his acquisition from the Chicago Bulls, contributed 11 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and two steals in his Celtics debut. Joe Mazzulla pointed to the TD Garden crowd as a decisive factor in the comeback.
New York’s Detroit performance was the opposite story. The Knicks shot 35.4% from the field, Jalen Brunson went 4-for-20 for just 12 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart all dealt with injury concerns. It was the fewest points New York had scored in any game that season.
Player Stats — Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks Box Score
Boston Celtics Player Stats
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | FG | FG% | 3 PM | FTM/FTA | TO | MIN |
| Jaylen Brown | 20 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 8/20 | 40% | 1 | 1/2 | 7 | 32 |
| Derrick White | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Payton Pritchard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Baylor Scheierman | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Neemias Queta | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Nikola Vucevic | 11 | 12 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sam Hauser | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jordan Walsh | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ron Harper Jr. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Hugo Gonzalez | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Luka Garza | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Jaylen Brown has been the unquestioned offensive engine across every Celtics-Knicks meeting this season — his 42-point December performance stands as the single-game high in the entire 2025-26 series. With Jayson Tatum out for the season due to a torn Achilles, Brown’s usage rate of 36.1% league-wide reflects just how central he is to everything Boston runs. Derrick White anchors the backcourt defensively, Payton Pritchard provides three-point shooting and ball movement off the bench, while Nikola Vucevic adds a mid-post threat and rebounding presence the Celtics previously lacked.
Full stat categories tracked per player include: points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, FGM/FGA, FG%, 3 PM, 3PA, 3P%, FTM, FTA, FT%, turnovers, plus-minus, and minutes.
New York Knicks Player Stats
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | FG | FG% | 3 PM | FTM/FTA | TO | MIN |
| OG Anunoby | 23 | — | — | — | 7/18 | 39% | — | 5/5 | — | — |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 12 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Josh Hart | 11 | — | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 33 |
| Jalen Brunson | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mikal Bridges | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mitchell Robinson | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mohamed Diawara | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jose Alvarado | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Landry Shamet | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jordan Clarkson | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Miles McBride | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
OG Anunoby was New York’s top scorer in Game 6 with 23 points on 7/18 shooting, going a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line. Karl-Anthony Towns controlled the boards with 12 rebounds and added 12 points. Josh Hart quietly put together one of the most complete non-scoring games of the series — 11 assists, physical rebounding, and suffocating perimeter defense. Season-wide, Jalen Brunson leads New York at 26.0 PPG and 6.7 APG, while Towns paces the team at 11.9 RPG.
Boston Celtics vs Knicks Match Player Stats Team Stats Comparison — Celtics vs Knicks
| Stat | Boston (BOS) | New York (NYK) |
| Field Goal % | 36% (31-86) | 46% (42-91) |
| Three Point % | 30% (12-40) | 36% (16-45) |
| Free Throw % | 70% (7-10) | 90% (19-21) |
| Total Rebounds | 36 | 55 |
| Offensive Rebounds | — | — |
| Defensive Rebounds | — | — |
| Turnovers | 16 | 14 |
| Largest Lead | 1 | 41 |
| Season ORTG | 120.7 | 120.0 |
| Season DRTG | 112.8 | 113.3 |
| Net Rating | 7.9 | 6.7 |
The rebounding gap — 55 to 36 — was as decisive as the shooting splits. New York’s 46% field goal percentage against Boston’s 36% tells the full offensive story of Game 6. The Knicks also dominated at the free-throw line, converting 19-of-21 at 90% compared to Boston’s 7-of-10 at 70%. Season-wide, both teams rank in the top three offensively in the Eastern Conference, which is precisely why their head-to-head matchups tend to be high-possession, high-volume affairs even when one team dominates the final margin.
Game Leaders — Top Performers
A few players separated themselves across the full Celtics-Knicks series this season.
Jaylen Brown delivered the most memorable individual performance — his 42-point game at TD Garden on December 2 swung the season series to 1-1 and reminded the league that Boston is still a legitimate contender without Tatum. In the playoff rematch context, Brown’s 20-point, 6-assist, 6-rebound line in Game 6 would have been respectable in a competitive game — but 7 turnovers in a blowout loss undercut it entirely.
OG Anunoby emerged as the series’s most efficient scorer. His 23-point performance in Game 6 on 7/18 FG — plus that perfect free-throw line — showed why New York targeted him as a primary weapon against Boston’s perimeter defense. His 5/5 FT performance in particular reflected an ability to draw contact and finish.
Karl-Anthony Towns dominated the glass in every meaningful meeting. His 12 rebounds and consistent paint presence gave New York a size advantage that Boston struggled to answer after losing Tatum. Towns’ combination of floor spacing and rebounding — 11.9 RPG on the season — makes him functionally unguardable in traditional Celtics defensive schemes.
Josh Hart was the quiet engine. Eleven assists in Game 6, constant offensive rebounding pressure, and physical wing defense made him the connective tissue of New York’s best lineups throughout the series.
Starting Lineups and Probable Starters
Boston Celtics Starting Lineup
- PG: Derrick White
- SG: Baylor Scheierman
- SF: Jaylen Brown
- PF: Sam Hauser (questionable — back)
- C: Neemias Queta
Joe Mazzulla rebuilt Boston’s rotation around Tatum’s absence. Nikola Vucevic’s arrival from Chicago in mid-season gave the Celtics a legitimate post presence and playmaking big — something the roster had lacked since training camp. Baylor Scheierman stepped into a larger role as a three-and-D wing, and Jordan Walsh and Ron Harper Jr. contributed rotation minutes depending on matchup needs.
New York Knicks Starting Lineup
- PG: Jalen Brunson
- SG: Mikal Bridges
- SF: Josh Hart
- PF: Mohamed Diawara
- C: Mitchell Robinson
Tom Thibodeau’s five shifted across the season based on Towns’ health. When Towns was active, New York ran a more traditional big lineup. Mohamed Diawara stepped into the starting power forward role and proved effective — he added a three-point threat and drew charges defensively. Jose Alvarado, Landry Shamet, and Jordan Clarkson provided reliable bench scoring when called upon.
Injury Report — Celtics vs Knicks
Boston Celtics:
| Player | Injury | Status |
| Jayson Tatum | Torn Achilles | OUT (season) |
| Sam Hauser | Back | Questionable |
New York Knicks:
| Player | Injury | Status |
| Miles McBride | Surgery | OUT |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Right eye laceration | Questionable |
| Josh Hart | Right ankle | Questionable |
| OG Anunoby | Right toe soreness | Questionable |
Tatum’s torn Achilles suffered during the 2025 playoff series against the Knicks — reshaping Boston’s entire 2025-26 identity. The Celtics navigated the full regular season without their best player, leaning on Brown’s elevated usage and mid-season roster moves to stay competitive in the East. New York’s injury cluster around Towns, Hart, and Anunoby for the February meeting meant both teams arrived significantly below full strength.
Season Series and Head-to-Head History
| Date | Location | Winner | Score | Key Performer |
| Oct 24, 2025 | MSG, New York | New York Knicks | 105-95 | NYK +42 in Q2 |
| Dec 2, 2025 | TD Garden, Boston | Boston Celtics | 123-117 | Jaylen Brown, 42 PTS |
| Feb 8, 2026 | TD Garden, Boston | TBD | In progress | — |
| Apr 9, 2026 | MSG, New York | TBD | Scheduled | — |
New York’s October victory was built on that extraordinary second-quarter run — 42-12 — that effectively ended the game before halftime. Boston’s December response was built on individual brilliance rather than team execution. The home team has won both completed regular-season meetings, a trend worth watching in the April finale at MSG.
Zooming out to the all-time picture: across 501 head-to-head matchups, the Knicks average 102.1 PPG, 38.9 FGM per game, and shoot 35.7% from three against Boston. This rivalry stretches back decades and carries genuine historical weight beyond any single season.
Play-by-Play Highlights and Key Moments
Third Quarter Breakdown
The third quarter of the February 8 game became a contest of individual shot-making rather than structured offense. Jaylen Brown kept Boston alive — a driving hook, a turnaround fadeaway, and two free throws in a short stretch held New York’s lead to single digits briefly. But Josh Hart’s pull-up three off a Jalen Brunson feed pushed it back to double figures, and Landry Shamet’s corner three off a Karl-Anthony Towns assist extended it further to 70-61.
Boston’s best moment came when Neemias Queta converted an alley-oop dunk off a Brown pass, briefly cutting the deficit and lifting the home crowd. Towns and Mitchell Robinson continued to punish the Celtics on the glass — Towns drew a charge on one possession, then committed a turnover on the next, reflecting the unsettled pace of a team managing injury concerns. The quarter closed at 85-68, New York’s advantage largely built on rebounding and free-throw conversion.
Second Quarter Breakdown
Boston actually won the second quarter 29-25, which is what kept the game competitive heading into halftime. Baylor Scheierman hit a three-pointer off a Payton Pritchard dish. Jordan Walsh finished a reverse layup. Derrick White converted late free throws and a pull-up jumper in the final minute to narrow the gap to 60-53 at the break.
New York’s second-quarter offense relied heavily on Brunson’s creation — Mikal Bridges cut to the rim twice for layups, and Mohamed Diawara drilled a three off a Brunson drive-and-kick to push the Knicks’ largest lead. A Brunson turnover — stolen by Brown at half-court in the final seconds — prevented New York from adding further separation before the buzzer.
Broadcast, Stream, and Game Information
The February 8 game was broadcast on ABC with a 12:30 p.m. ET start, making it one of the most-watched regular-season matchups of the weekend nationally. Cord-cutters could stream it live via Fubo. The venue was TD Garden in Boston.
The final regular season meeting — April 9, 2026, at Madison Square Garden — tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET and is expected to carry significant seeding implications depending on where both teams stand in the Atlantic Division by then. Check ESPN or the NBA app for confirmed broadcast details closer to tip-off.
2025-26 Eastern Conference Standings Context
| Rank | Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
| 1 | Detroit Pistons | 57 | 21 | .731 | — |
| 2 | Boston Celtics | 52 | 25 | .675 | 4.5 |
| 3 | New York Knicks | 50 | 28 | .641 | 7.0 |
| 4 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 48 | 29 | .623 | 8.5 |
| 5 | Atlanta Hawks | 45 | 33 | .577 | 12.0 |
| 6 | Toronto Raptors | 43 | 34 | .558 | 13.5 |
| 7 | Philadelphia 76ers | 43 | 35 | .551 | 14.0 |
| 8 | Charlotte Hornets | 42 | 36 | .538 | 15.0 |
Both Boston and New York have clinched playoff berths. Detroit has locked up the top seed. The real battle is whether Boston can hold second — worth noting for potential first-round bracket positioning — or whether New York closes the 2.5-game gap with a strong finish. The April 9 showdown at MSG is effectively a seeding game in all but name.
NBA 2025-26 League Leaders Reference
Understanding how Celtics and Knicks players stack up against the broader league adds useful context to their head-to-head performances.
Scoring (PPG): Luka Dončić leads at 33.5, followed by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at 31.6 and Anthony Edwards at 28.9. Jalen Brunson sits at 26.0 PPG — a legitimate top-ten scorer and the best point guard in the Eastern Conference not named Dončić.
Rebounding (RPG): Nikola Jokić leads at 12.9. Karl-Anthony Towns sits second at 11.9 RPG, ahead of Donovan Clingan’s 11.6 — placing Towns among the elite frontcourt rebounders in the league.
Assists (APG): Jokić again leads at 10.9 APG. Brunson contributes 6.7 APG, meaningful for a player who doubles as New York’s primary scorer.
Blocks (BPG): Victor Wembanyama leads at 3.1 BPG. Neemias Queta provides rim protection for Boston without appearing in this top tier.
Usage Rate: Jaylen Brown at 36.1% USG ranks second in the league — trailing only Dončić’s 37.9% — which reflects just how much Boston’s offense runs through him in Tatum’s absence.
Season-wide team ratings: Boston’s ORTG of 120.7 ranks second in the East, New York’s 120.0 ranks third. Boston’s DRTG of 112.8 edges New York’s 113.3, giving the Celtics a slight edge in net rating: 7.9 versus 6.7.
Conclusion
Few rivalries in the 2025-26 Eastern Conference have carried the weight of Boston and New York. The Knicks eliminated the Celtics from the playoffs in 2025, then watched Boston rebuild around Jaylen Brown and a retooled roster while Jayson Tatum recovered from a torn Achilles. This season series has been predictably competitive — each home team winning, individual performances swinging momentum, and injury reports changing the calculation before every tip-off.
With Boston at 52-25 and New York at 50-28, the April 9 finale at Madison Square Garden will likely determine final Atlantic Division seeding and first-round home court. Brunson, Towns, Brown, and Anunoby are the four players who will define how it plays out. For fans tracking every stat line and box score between these two teams, the season isn’t over — the most meaningful game is still ahead.
FAQs
Who scored the most points in the Celtics vs Knicks game?
Jaylen Brown holds the series high with 42 points in the December 2, 2025, regular-season win at TD Garden. In the May 2025 playoff Game 6, OG Anunoby led all scorers with 23 points for New York, while Brown led Boston with 20.
What were the final scores in the 2025-26 Celtics vs Knicks season series?
New York won the first meeting 105-95 on October 24. Boston evened it at 123-117 on December 2. The February 8 and April 9 games complete the four-game regular season series, with both remaining contests carrying playoff seeding implications for the Atlantic Division race.
Who leads the Knicks in stats against the Celtics?
Jalen Brunson leads New York in scoring at 26.0 PPG and distributes at 6.7 APG across the full season. Karl-Anthony Towns leads in rebounding at 11.9 RPG and has been New York’s most impactful frontcourt player in these matchups when healthy enough to take the floor.
Is Jayson Tatum playing against the Knicks?
No. Tatum is out for the entire 2025-26 season after suffering a torn Achilles during the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals against New York. Sam Hauser carries a separate questionable designation due to a back injury and is evaluated on a game-by-game basis.
What channel is the Celtics vs Knicks game on?
The February 8 game aired on ABC at 12:30 p.m. ET with streaming available on Fubo. The April 9 regular season finale at Madison Square Garden tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET — confirm the broadcast network via ESPN or the NBA’s official schedule as tip-off approaches.
What are the Celtics vs Knicks all-time head-to-head stats?
Across 501 all-time matchups, the Knicks average 102.1 PPG against Boston, shooting 38.9 FGM per game at a 35.7% three-point rate. This rivalry spans decades of Eastern Conference competition and ranks among the most historically significant matchups in NBA history.
Who are the probable starters for the Celtics vs. the Knicks?
Boston’s projected five: Derrick White, Baylor Scheierman, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta. New York counters with Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, Mohamed Diawara, and Mitchell Robinson. Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart all carry injury designations that can shift the lineup on short notice — always check the official injury report on game day before finalizing any lineup expectations.
