The best Jayson Tatum showed up when Boston needed him most.
In a tightly contested game against the Knicks that saw as many as 12 lead changes, the Celtics star decided it with an impressive performance.
He scored 25 of his 36 points in the second half, including 7 of Boston’s last 8 points, and a decisive corner three with just under a minute to go.
Joe Mazzulla’s side won 107 to 103 in the game that opened the new season at the TD Garden in Boston.
After a poor start against Detroit that ended with him going 6 of 23 from the field, Tatum put the team on his back against the reigning champions.
He finished the contest going 14 of 26 from the field, including a perfect 5/5 from the free-throw line, while also contributing 9 rebounds, 7 assists and three steals.
Paul George and Nemias Queta added 15 points each, and veteran guard Derrick White chipped in 12.
For the Knicks, who at one point trailed by 12, Karl Anthony-Towns was the standout with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
Meanwhile, O.G. Anunoby came close to a triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists; Brunson added 19 points, and bench player McBride stood out with another 20 points.
The reunion with Mitch
All love between Mitchell Robinson and his former Knicks teammates 🥹 https://t.co/mDQSv8sD0B
— NBA (@NBA) October 24, 2026
Mitchell Robinson reunited with his former teammates after helping the Knicks win their third championship in franchise history last season.
Mitch started with 4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and a block in 22 minutes played.
“I love Mitch. He’s a good guy, a simple man. You know… He cares about the right things, he wants to win, he wants to be a good teammate… Here we want to expand the game with him,” said Joe Mazzulla.
(Cover photo: Reuters)