Knicks Deliver Defensive Hammer Blow to Celtics, Storming to 2-0 Start

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NEW YORK, NY — The New York Knicks are quickly putting the Eastern Conference on notice. In a high-intensity showdown that rekindled their historic rivalry, the Knicks dominated the Boston Celtics in the second half to secure a decisive 105-95 victory at Madison Square Garden, moving to an early 2-0 record for the season.

The win was a powerful statement built not on offensive fireworks, but on suffocating defense, rebounding tenacity, and the consistent scoring of their backcourt leader.

The Second-Quarter Knockout

While the Celtics entered the game eager for revenge after the Knicks eliminated them in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season, it was New York that landed the first decisive blow. After a competitive start, the Knicks’ defense completely locked down the Celtics in the second quarter, engineering a massive 42-14 scoring run that sent the Knicks into halftime with a commanding 64-44 lead.

Jalen Brunson provided the steady scoring, finishing with a team-high 31 points.
Karl-Anthony Towns added a strong 26 points and 13 rebounds in an all-around effort.

Dominance on the Glass

The key to the victory was the Knicks’ rebounding prowess. They leveraged their size and energy to overwhelm the Celtics on the glass, pulling down a total of 53 rebounds and frustrating the Boston offense throughout the game.

The effort was personified by guard Josh Hart, who—despite being listed as questionable with a back injury—came off the bench to grab 14 rebounds in just 19 minutes, providing the unmatched energy and physicality that defined the win.

Celtics Collapse and Growing Concerns

The Celtics (0-2), who are without star Jayson Tatum for the start of the season, are struggling with consistency. While they managed to cut the lead to single digits in the fourth quarter, their offense faltered badly when it mattered most.

Offensive Woes: The Celtics struggled to find a rhythm, with Jaylen Brown scoring 23 points on his 29th birthday, but the team’s offense failed to generate consistent scoring or ball movement against the Knicks’ swarming perimeter defense.
Turnover Trouble: Boston was sloppy with the ball, allowing New York to dictate the pace and capitalize on their mistakes. This loss comes just two nights after the Celtics blew a late lead in a one-point loss to the 76ers, raising early questions about their ability to execute in high-pressure situations without their full lineup.

The Knicks, under new coach Mike Brown, are demonstrating that they remain a tough and physical force. They move to 2-0 and look to carry their momentum into their next matchup, while the Celtics head back to the drawing board searching for their first win.