The Boston Celtics are on fire as the regular season nears its end.
Key Takeaways
Porzingis Rains Fire: Former Knick torches old team with career-tying EIGHT triples in Boston’s season sweep
Tatum Plays Hero: Ice-cold clutch 3 forces OT before Celtics escape MSG with 119-117 win
Road Warriors: Boston shatters franchise record with 33rd away victory Knicks’ Elite
Problem: New York drops to 0-7 against the NBA’s top three teams
Up Next: Celtics head to Orlando with no rest as grueling back-to-back continues
In a game that had everything a basketball purist could dream of, the Boston Celtics emerged victorious in a heart-stopping 119-117 overtime thriller against the New York Knicks on Tuesday night, silencing the Madison Square Garden faithful who had been in full throat all evening.
Porzingis Returns to Haunt Former Team
The storyline couldn’t have been scripted better for drama: former Knicks lottery pick Kristaps Porzingis, once heralded as the franchise savior before his controversial departure, returned to his old stomping grounds and put on an absolute shooting clinic. The Latvian sharpshooter poured in 34 points, including the dagger three-pointer in overtime that proved to be the difference-maker.
“The Garden always brings something special out of me,” Porzingis said with a knowing smile in the postgame interview, as Knicks fans who once adored him could only watch in dismay. “There’s just something about this place.”
Tatum’s Clutch Gene Activates When Needed Most
Not to be outdone, Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum added another chapter to his growing legacy of clutch performances. With Boston down three and the final seconds ticking away in regulation, Tatum shook free of his defender and launched a rainbow three-pointer that touched nothing but net, sending the game to overtime and temporarily deflating the raucous New York crowd.
“That’s what the great ones do,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla noted afterward. “When everything’s on the line, JT wants the ball. And we want him to have it.”
Tatum finished with 32 points, complementing Porzingis’ output in what’s becoming one of the league’s most formidable one-two punches.
Road Warriors Set Historic Mark
The victory wasn’t just another notch in Boston’s belt—it was a historic one. The win marked the Celtics’ 33rd road victory of the season, setting a new franchise record for a team that’s no stranger to making history. The defending champions continue to show why they’re the team to beat, improving to an NBA-best 59-20 while completing a season sweep of their Atlantic Division rivals.
Knicks’ Elite Problem Continues
For New York, the loss stings particularly because it continues a troubling trend. The Knicks have now fallen to 0-7 against the league’s top three teams, raising questions about their ceiling as the playoffs approach. Despite their impressive 50-29 record, New York’s inability to overcome the NBA’s elite remains their Achilles’ heel.
“We’re right there,” a visibly frustrated Jalen Brunson insisted after the game. “These aren’t blowouts. We’re competing until the final buzzer against the best teams. Our breakthrough is coming.”
What’s Next
The relentless NBA schedule offers no reprieve for the Celtics, who will board a late-night flight to Orlando for the second game of a challenging back-to-back on Wednesday
night. Meanwhile, the Knicks will look to regroup before their final regular-season home stand as they try to secure favorable playoff positioning in the competitive Eastern Conference.
If Tuesday’s thriller was any indication, basketball fans might be in for a potential playoff preview should these two historic franchises meet again when the stakes are even higher.