New York Knicks Flex On Boston Celtics, Improve to 2-0 Behind Jalen Brunson’s 31

The Knicks are rolling early, and they made it look easy Friday night. Jalen Brunson poured in 31 points, Karl-Anthony Towns dominated with 26 points and 13 boards, and New York cruised past Boston 105-95 at Madison Square Garden. It was the kind of performance that has fans thinking this team might actually be built for a deep run—and rightfully so.

But let’s be honest: these aren’t the same Celtics who hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy back in 2023. Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury last spring triggered a Boston rebuild that saw Kristaps Porziņģis shipped to Atlanta and Jrue Holiday dealt to Portland. Still, Jaylen Brown is an All-Star, and Derrick White remains one of the league’s best two-way wings. So the Knicks earned this one.

How Did New York Get the Job Done?

New York’s second quarter was an absolute clinic. After trailing by eight following a sluggish first frame, the Knicks flipped the script with a devastating 42-14 run. Eight different players scored, and the ball movement was chef’s kiss—10 assists on 12 made buckets. At one point, they rattled off 28 straight points while the Celtics looked like they forgot how to play basketball. Boston managed just four field goals in those 12 minutes. Brutal.

OG Anunoby and Jordan Clarkson each knocked down a pair of threes during the onslaught, and by halftime, the Knicks held a commanding 64-44 lead. The Garden was rocking, and you could feel the momentum shift.

Bench Mob Steps Up

One of the most encouraging signs for this Knicks squad? Depth. Tyler Kolek dished out four assists, and Josh Hart—making his season debut after dealing with lumbar spasms—pulled down 14 rebounds and added 3 dimes. Hart’s energy off the bench was contagious, and his presence on the glass was exactly what New York needed.

Speaking of rebounding, the Knicks absolutely bullied Boston on the boards, outrebounding them 21-8 on the offensive glass through three quarters. That translated to 23 second-chance points—a massive advantage that kept the Celtics from ever gaining real traction.

“It’s happening because teams are having success with it,” Head Coach Mike Brown said of the aggressive rebounding mentality. “They understand this game is about possessions—everyone is so talented offensively, you’ve just got to find ways to create more.”

Defense Creates Offense

New York’s defensive pressure was suffocating. Midway through the first half, the steal differential told the story: Knicks 4, Celtics 0. That led to an 18-0 advantage in fast-break points early on, and the intensity never let up. Miles McBride deserves a shoutout for his hustle. On one sequence, he hounded Anfernee Simons from baseline to baseline, forcing him to dribble out of bounds. Madison Square Garden went nuts. Those are the kinds of plays that set the tone, and Brown’s system thrives on that kind of relentless energy.

“You just want your opponent to know, ‘Hey, I’m going to be here all night. You’re going to have to work a little bit harder for what you’re trying to do than what you’d hope for,'” Mike Brown said pregame. “Sometimes you do it to change the tempo, to speed the game up.”

It worked. Boston never found a rhythm.

Three-Point Barrage

Last season, the Knicks ranked near the bottom of the league in three-point attempts, hoisting just 34 per game. Under Brown, that’s changing fast. New York launched 33 attempts through three quarters alone, and they’re already leading the NBA in threes attempted per game through two contests.

Brown’s offense emphasizes what he calls “sprays”—drives to the paint followed by kick-outs to open shooters. With 11 rotation players capable of knocking down triples, the system is humming. Even in crunch time, when Boston tried to claw back late, Brunson split two defenders and zipped a pass under the rim to McBride, who buried a contested corner three to push the lead back into double digits.

It’s a welcome shift from the iso-heavy sets that defined the Thibodeau era, and the results are already showing.

Road Trip Ahead

The Knicks will look to stay unbeaten as they embark on a three-game road swing with stops in Miami, Milwaukee, and Chicago. It is an early measuring stick for a team that’s gelling quickly under Brown’s leadership.

One minor concern: Anunoby was seen limping late in the fourth quarter and didn’t return. He was spotted on the stationary bike in the tunnel during the final seconds, so hopefully it’s nothing serious. New York can’t afford to lose one of its most versatile defenders this early in the season. For now, though, the vibes are immaculate. The Knicks are 2-0, the offense is flowing, and the defense is locking in. If they keep this up, the rest of the East better take notice.