The Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks 107-103 on Friday, October 23, 2026, at TD Garden, led by Jayson Tatum’s 36 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Boston used a 33-point third quarter to build a double-digit advantage, then held off New York’s fourth-quarter comeback to secure its first win of the season.
Celtics vs. Knicks: Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Knicks Take a Narrow Lead
New York finished the opening quarter ahead 27-26. Neither team established much separation on the scoreboard, setting up a closely contested first half.
Second Quarter: Boston Moves Ahead
The Celtics outscored the Knicks 24-22 in the second quarter, turning their one-point deficit into a 50-49 halftime lead. Through two quarters, just one point separated the teams.
Third Quarter: Celtics Create the Decisive Margin
Boston took control by outscoring New York 33-24 in the third quarter. The Celtics’ highest-scoring period extended their advantage to 83-73 entering the fourth, giving them the cushion that ultimately decided the game.
Fourth Quarter: New York Rallies but Falls Short
The Knicks responded with their best offensive quarter, scoring 30 points while holding Boston to 24. That six-point advantage reduced the final margin to four, but New York could not erase the entire deficit. Boston completed the 107-103 win in regulation.
Key Performers
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics: Led all scorers with 36 points and paced Boston with nine rebounds and seven assists. He also recorded three steals in the game’s standout all-around performance.
- Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks: Led New York with 22 points and added 10 rebounds for a double-double.
- Josh Hart, New York Knicks: Collected a game-high 12 rebounds, helping the Knicks finish with a 44-37 advantage on the boards.
- OG Anunoby, New York Knicks: Delivered a game-high eight assists as New York recorded 27 assists to Boston’s 25.
NerdSports Stat: Boston won despite being outscored by a combined six points on 3-pointers and free throws. The difference: the Celtics made 25 two-point baskets to New York’s 20, creating a 10-point advantage that produced the four-point final margin.
Game Analysis: Boston’s Two-Point Edge Makes the Difference
New York finished ahead in several notable categories, including rebounds, assists and 3-point shooting. The Knicks made 16 of 40 attempts from beyond the arc, shooting 40.0%, while Boston went 15-for-39, or 38.5%. New York also made 15 free throws to the Celtics’ 12.
Boston countered with better overall shooting and more made baskets. The Celtics finished 40-for-87 from the field, shooting 46.0%, compared with New York’s 36-for-81 and 44.4%. Their advantage was especially clear inside the arc: Boston made 25 of 48 two-point attempts, while the Knicks converted 20 of 41.
The quarter-by-quarter scoring tells the other important part of the story. Boston gained nine points in the third quarter, enough to withstand New York’s six-point edge in the fourth. Tatum’s production across scoring, rebounding and playmaking gave the Celtics a central contributor in each area.
What the Result Means
Boston improved to 1-1 overall and 1-0 at home, while New York fell to 0-2 and 0-1 on the road. The Celtics next host the Chicago Bulls on Monday, October 26, at 4:30 p.m. PDT. The Knicks return home to face the Orlando Magic on Sunday, October 25, at 4 p.m. PDT, still seeking their first victory of the regular season.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks 107-103 on October 23, 2026.
Jayson Tatum scored 36 points. His individual shooting percentage was not included in the supplied game statistics.
After the win, Boston sits 1-1 in the Eastern Conference. An exact conference ranking was not provided.
Jayson Tatum was the standout performer with 36 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
