The New York Knicks and Boston Celtics faced off on April 11, 2024, in an exciting clash that featured spectacular individual performances and high-scoring action. The game saw the Celtics come out on top with a 126-119 victory, powered by a stunning triple-double performance from Jayson Tatum. Although the Knicks showed resilience, especially with Jalen Brunson’s explosive scoring, the Celtics’ offensive depth proved too much to handle.
Jayson Tatum Shines with a Triple-Double
Jayson Tatum was the star of the night, putting together a phenomenal performance that included 37 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Tatum’s incredible shooting efficiency (14-21 from the field) and sharp three-point shooting (9-11 from beyond the arc) helped the Celtics dominate from the outside. His performance not only filled up the stat sheet but also stretched the Knicks’ defense, leaving them scrambling to contain Boston’s offensive firepower.
Tatum’s all-around game was key to the Celtics’ success, with his scoring, playmaking, and rebounding ensuring that Boston stayed in control for much of the game. His ability to stretch the floor, coupled with his playmaking, made him nearly unstoppable on both ends of the court.
Strong Contributions from Jaylen Brown and the Supporting Cast
Alongside Tatum, Jaylen Brown also made a significant impact, contributing 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Though he struggled from three-point range (0-2), Brown was efficient from the field, shooting 9-17. Marcus Smart and Robert Williams III played key roles as well. Smart added 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Williams provided a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, also contributing a steal and a block.
Malcolm Brogdon had a solid outing with 10 points and 4 assists off the bench, and Sam Hauser shot efficiently from beyond the arc, scoring 12 points on 4-6 shooting, including 4-6 from three-point range. Even with a limited contribution from Blake Griffin and Derrick White, the Celtics’ depth proved to be overwhelming for the Knicks.
Jalen Brunson Leads the Knicks’ Charge
For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson was the primary offensive weapon. He erupted for 39 points, shooting 15-23 from the field, and also contributed 4 assists. Brunson’s scoring ability kept the Knicks in the game, but his effort alone wasn’t enough to overcome Boston’s firepower. Despite his standout performance, the Knicks struggled defensively, especially in containing Tatum and the Celtics’ perimeter shooting.
Josh Hart provided a double-double with 16 points and 16 rebounds, showcasing his all-around skill set. Hart was active on both ends of the court, making crucial rebounds and facilitating the offense. Isaiah Hartenstein also stepped up with 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Donte DiVincenzo added 17 points off the bench, including 3-7 shooting from three-point range.
O.G. Anunoby, known for his defense, had a solid outing with 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal, contributing efficiently from beyond the arc. However, the Knicks’ other bench players, including Precious Achiuwa and Miles McBride, struggled to make an impact on the floor.
Celtics’ Three-Point Shooting Dominates the Game
A key difference in the game was the Celtics’ perimeter shooting. As a team, the Celtics shot 58% from three-point range, knocking down 14 of their 24 attempts. Tatum’s hot shooting from beyond the arc (9-11) set the tone, and contributions from Smart, Hauser, and even Pritchard kept the floor spaced well for Boston’s offense.
On the other hand, the Knicks struggled with their three-point shooting, hitting only 10 of 30 attempts (33%). While they managed to score efficiently inside the paint and with mid-range shots, they were unable to match the Celtics’ lethal shooting from deep, which ultimately proved to be the difference in the game.
Game Summary:
The Celtics secured a 126-119 victory in a back-and-forth contest. The Knicks fought hard, led by Brunson’s 39 points and Hart’s double-double, but were unable to contain Tatum and Boston’s offense. Despite the strong efforts from several Knicks players, their defensive lapses and inability to defend the perimeter allowed the Celtics to control the tempo and maintain their lead throughout the game.
Key Stats:
New York Knicks Player Stats:
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks | FG | 3PT | FT | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O.G. Anunoby | 12 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5-10 | 2-3 | 0-0 | +20 |
| Isaiah Hartenstein | 11 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 5-11 | 0-0 | 1-3 | 0 |
| Jalen Brunson | 39 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 15-23 | 0-0 | 1-3 | +28 |
| Josh Hart | 16 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 7-15 | 1-4 | 1-1 | +18 |
| Donte DiVincenzo | 17 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 7-15 | 3-7 | 0-0 | -8 |
| Precious Achiuwa | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1-6 | 0-1 | 0-0 | -9 |
| Bojan Bogdanovic | 14 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6-10 | 2-6 | 0-0 | -2 |
| Mitchell Robinson | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2-3 | 0-0 | 1-1 | +7 |
| Miles McBride | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1-6 | 0-4 | 0-0 | -9 |
Boston Celtics Player Stats:
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks | FG | 3PT | FT | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jayson Tatum | 37 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 14-21 | 9-11 | 0-0 | +28 |
| Jaylen Brown | 21 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9-17 | 0-2 | 3-4 | +20 |
| Marcus Smart | 12 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5-11 | 2-4 | 0-0 | +16 |
| Robert Williams III | 10 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5-6 | 0-0 | 0-0 | +21 |
| Malcolm Brogdon | 10 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4-8 | 2-4 | 0-0 | +18 |
| Blake Griffin | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | +10 |
| Derrick White | 8 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3-8 | 2-5 | 0-0 | +15 |
| Sam Hauser | 12 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4-6 | 4-6 | 0-0 | +16 |
| Payton Pritchard | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2-5 | 1-3 | 0-0 | +7 |
| Mike Muscala | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 0-0 | +1 |
| Grant Williams | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | +3 |
Conclusion:
The Celtics’ dominance, particularly with their perimeter shooting and Tatum’s all-around excellence, proved too much for the Knicks. Despite an impressive performance from Jalen Brunson and strong contributions from Josh Hart and Isaiah Hartenstein, the Knicks couldn’t contain the Celtics’ firepower. As both teams head into the postseason, the Celtics’ depth and shooting efficiency give them a clear edge, while the Knicks will need to improve their defensive consistency to compete at the highest level.
