Jayson Tatum scored 36 points, including 25 in the second half, as the Boston Celtics held off a late rally to beat the New York Knicks 107-103 at TD Garden on Friday night.
Tatum scored seven of Boston’s final eight points to help the Celtics secure their first home win of the season and improve to 1-1. Paul George and Neemias Queta added 15 points apiece, while New York dropped to 0-2 after opening its campaign with a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The game featured 12 lead changes and four ties, but Boston created separation in the third quarter. After holding a one-point advantage at halftime, the Celtics outscored New York 33-24 in the third to take an 83-73 lead into the final period.
Boston extended its advantage to 91-79 before the Knicks mounted a comeback. A 12-3 run cut the deficit to 94-91 when Karl-Anthony Towns finished a putback dunk. New York continued to threaten, with Josh Hart’s three-pointer making it 99-96 before Jalen Brunson’s floater brought the Knicks closer after a Queta turnover.
Tatum responded with a 19-foot jumper to restore a three-point cushion at 101-98 with 1:11 remaining. After OG Anunoby made two free throws to pull New York within five, Tatum connected from beyond the arc to make it 106-100 and help Boston withstand the final push.
Tatum shot 14-for-26 from the field and 5-for-5 at the free-throw line, adding nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Queta contributed six rebounds and three blocks, while George recorded seven rebounds.
Towns led New York with 22 points on 9-for-13 shooting and collected 10 rebounds. Anunoby posted 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, while Miles McBride also scored 20, including six three-pointers on eight attempts. Brunson finished with 19 points and four assists.
Mitchell Robinson had four points, four rebounds and a block in his first matchup against the Knicks since leaving the team. Early foul trouble limited him to 22 minutes, but he made his presence felt in the fourth quarter by blocking a Towns layup before receiving an alley-oop pass from Derrick White on the other end.
Boston hosts the Chicago Bulls on Monday, while New York returns home to face the Orlando Magic on Sunday.
