Kristaps Porzingis nailed a go-ahead three-pointer with 1:29 left in the fourth quarter Wednesday night in his Boston regular season debut, lifting the Celtics to a 108-104 victory over the New York Knicks in the season opener for both teams at Madison Square Garden.
Boston came out hot, as Porzingis (15) and Jayson Tatum (10) combined for 25 of the teams 30 points in the first quarter as the Celtics led by 12 after the opening 12 minutes. Down by 10 late in the first half, New York would make a mini-run to slice it to just five at the break 51-46. The C’s started strong in the third quarter, pushing it back to an 11 point advantage on a layup by Derrick White with 6:57 left. The Knicks made another run in the next 1:38 to tie it, part of a 13-2 spurt to even it at 66-66 on a three-pointer by Jalen Brunson. The visitors regained some control running off 12 of the next 14 points, and would take a lead of 82-73 to the fourth. New York would battle back to take their first lead of the night on some hot three-point shooting. Josh Hart dialed one up from long distance to make it 86-84 Knicks with 8:56 left to play. Quentin Grimes hit another one from long distance for his team to give them their largest lead 99-93 with 4:10 remaining. Boston would go on an 8-2 run to tie it, and then after a Brunson driving layup miss, Porzingis hit a very deep three-pointer to give the Celtics a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The hosts got within two twice late, but two free throws by Payton Pritchard with 11 seconds to go would ice it.
Tatum led the way in the Boston win with 34 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Porzingis, one of the big offseason acquisitions, finished with 30 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks. The 30 points was the most by a player in his debut in the history of the team. White and Jaylen Brown also got into double figures with 12 and 11 points respectively. Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett had 24 points a piece in the loss for New York. The Knicks shot 44% from the three-point arc (18-41). The Celtics will take on the Miami Heat on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in the home opener at TD Garden.
Story by Chris Lessner/Video courtesy of House of Highlights on YouTube
