Tatum Scores 36 as Celtics Beat Knicks 107-103 in Home Opener

Jayson Tatum scored 36 points at TD Garden on Friday night, and the Boston Celtics beat the New York Knicks 107-103 in their home opener. Boston picked up its first win of the season, and the defending champion Knicks fell to 0-2.

Tatum had a quiet first half by his standards. He scored 11 points before the break, and New York led 27-26 after the first quarter behind Karl-Anthony Towns, who led all scorers at halftime with 12 points. Paul George hit a corner three pointer at the halftime buzzer to put Boston ahead 50-49, in his first home game as a Celtic.

Tatum takes over after halftime

Boston outscored New York 33-24 in the third quarter, and Tatum drove the run. He scored 25 of his 36 points after halftime, shot 14 of 26 from the field, and finished with 9 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals. SportsCenter noted the takeover on X after the game, and the fourth quarter belonged to him even as New York pushed back.

George added 15 points and 7 rebounds. Neemias Queta scored 15 points off the bench with 6 rebounds and 3 blocks, and Derrick White had 12 points and 6 assists. Mitchell Robinson, facing the Knicks for the first time since leaving New York, had 4 points and 4 rebounds in 22 minutes.

Boston also got quick bench scoring in short bursts. Luka Garza scored 8 points in under four minutes, making all 3 of his shots, and Sam Hauser added 6 points. Payton Pritchard had a quiet shooting night with 4 points but still handed out 4 assists in 30 minutes.

Knicks rally falls short

New York won the fourth quarter 30-24 but never got back in front. Towns scored 22 points on 9 of 13 shooting with 10 rebounds. OG Anunoby had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists, and Miles McBride scored 20 points off the bench. Jalen Brunson scored 19 points on 7 of 17 shooting, and Josh Hart added 10 points and 12 rebounds. Mikal Bridges went scoreless, missing all 8 of his shots.

Both teams came in looking for their first win. Boston had lost its opener 121-113 at Detroit on Tuesday after giving up a large lead. New York, which won the championship last season, lost its opener to Philadelphia and now starts a title defense with two straight losses.

New York hosts Orlando on Sunday, October 25. Boston hosts Chicago on Monday, October 26.