The Boston Celtics kicked off their NBA title defense with a decisive victory.

On Tuesday night, in the season-opening Tip-Off game, Boston overwhelmed the New York Knicks with a score of 132-109, matching the NBA record for most 3-pointers made in a game with 29.

Jayson Tatum was the standout performer, scoring 37 points and contributing 10 assists. Derrick White added 24 points, while Jaylen Brown scored 23. All five starters for Boston reached double digits, leading to an impressive shooting percentage of 50.5%.

Although the Celtics attempted to break the 3-point record towards the end, they missed their final 13 attempts.

The Knicks performed reasonably well offensively, finishing with a shooting percentage of 55.1%, which was almost five points higher than Boston’s rate.

Leading the Knicks were Miles McBride and Jalen Brunson, each scoring 22 points. New addition Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 12 points on five-of-nine shooting.

YSL News Sports covered the game with updates, highlights, and insights throughout the NBA’s season opener.

Highlights from Celtics vs. Knicks

Celtics Maintain Dominance in the Third Quarter

This game is practically decided.

The Celtics continued their remarkable shooting performance, hitting 8-of-11 from behind the arc in the third quarter alone. Boston is now on track to surpass the NBA record for 3-pointers made in a single game.

Entering the fourth quarter, Boston had made 26 3-pointers at a phenomenal 57.8% efficiency, just three shy of the 29 made by the Milwaukee Bucks against the Miami Heat in December 2020.

Currently, the Celtics hold a commanding 113-87 lead.

Displaying impressive efficiency, Boston assisted on 27 of their 41 baskets while committing only two turnovers.

Jayson Tatum has excelled, making eight 3-pointers for a total of 37 points.

Although the Knicks shot 57.6% from the field, which is nearly on par with Boston’s shooting percentage, they struggled to counteract Boston’s offensive strength.

It is expected that the Celtics will rest their stars for the remaining time in the game.

Halftime: Celtics Lead Knicks, 74-55

The New York Knicks are shooting 57.9% compared to the Celtics’ 55.1% shooting at halftime, but they find themselves down by 19 points.

One key factor in this score gap is that Boston attempted 11 more shots in the first half, helped by six offensive rebounds leading to 11 second-chance points, while the Knicks managed only three.

Much of Boston’s lead can be attributed to the barrage of 3-pointers they unleashed on the Knicks, making 17-of-32 (53.1%) attempts, which tied the franchise record for the most 3-pointers made in a single half.

Jayson Tatum led the scoring at halftime with 25 points, while three other Celtics starters joined him in double figures: Jaylen Brown (12), Derrick White (11), and Jrue Holiday (10).

In the second quarter, Jalen Brunson helped the Knicks with nine points, finishing the half with 15 points. Karl-Anthony Towns added 12 points, while Miles McBride offered significant support from the bench with 14 points.

Celtics Lead by 19 After First Quarter

The Celtics are continuing where they left off last season.

Having led the league in 3-point attempts last season, Boston started strong, hitting four-of-eight from three within the first five minutes. They ended the opening quarter with a tally of 10-of-17 from beyond the arc, giving them a 19-point lead over New York.

This performance was just one shot short of tying the franchise record for the most 3-pointers in a single quarter.

Looking to overcome a tough summer that included limited play during Team USA’s gold medal run in the Olympics, Jayson Tatum shined in the first quarter by going five-of-seven from the field, including four-of-six from downtown. He led all scorers with 15 points.

Defensively, Boston employed several players to frustrate Knicks’ star point guard Jalen Brunson, including Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Jaylen Brown.

Newly added players for New York had mixed results: Mikal Bridges missed all four of his attempts, while Karl-Anthony Towns went two-of-three for four points.

The Celtics are ahead 43-24.

Celtics Reveal Championship Rings

As the 2024-25 NBA season begins, the Celtics have already celebrated by unveiling their new championship rings following their record 18th title victory against the Dallas Mavericks last June. These impressive rings boast 15 carats of white diamonds, representing the 15 teams in the Eastern Conference, among other symbolic features.

The rings also feature a removable top that reveals a small replica of the championship banner that the Celtics raised before hosting the Knicks for their season opener. The inside of the removable lid includes a piece of the actual parquet floor where Boston secured the championship.

Celtics-Knicks Game Details

• The opening tip is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 22 at around 7:30 p.m. ET.

Location of the Celtics-Knicks Game

• The Celtics will host the Knicks at TD Garden in Boston.

How to Watch the Celtics-Knicks Game

• The game will be aired on TNT,
• Available to stream on Sling.

Today’s NBA Matches

• New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT
• Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers at 10 p.m. ET on TNT

Celtics vs Knicks Betting Odds

The Boston Celtics are favored to win against the New York Knicks in the NBA regular-season opener on Tuesday, based on the odds provided by BetMGM.

• Point Spread: Celtics (-5.5)
• Moneyline: Knicks (+185); Celtics (-225)
• Total Points: 222.5

Celtics vs Knicks Historical Record

In their overall regular-season matchups, the Celtics and Knicks have faced off 494 times, with Boston leading the series 304-190. Additionally, in postseason games, they have played 67 times where Boston has won 36 and New York has won 31.

Celtics Starting Lineup

• PG: Jrue Holiday
• SG: Derrick White
• SF: Jaylen Brown
• PF: Jayson Tatum
• C: Al Horford

Knicks Starting Lineup

• PG: Jalen Brunson
• SG: Mikal Bridges
• SF: Josh Hart
• PF: OG Anunoby
• C: Karl-Anthony Towns

NBA Season Forecasts

Experts from YSL News Network are sharing their insights on the upcoming season, highlighting which team is likely to win the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.

• Jeff Zillgitt: Celtics to beat Thunder
• Scooby Axson: Celtics to defeat Timberwolves
• Lorenzo Reyes: Nuggets to triumph over Knicks
• Damichael Cole: Thunder to win against Celtics
• Dustin Dopirak: Celtics to overcome Nuggets
• Jim Owczarski: Thunder to win against Celtics
• Duane Rankin: Celtics over Timberwolves
• Heather Tucker: Celtics to beat Suns

Injury Update on Kristaps Porzingis

Kristaps Porzingis, a key player for the Celtics, will miss the opening game against the Knicks. Last June, the Celtics announced he would be sidelined at the start of the 2024-25 NBA season due to surgery for a rare ankle injury that he sustained during Game 5 of the NBA Finals. — Mark Giannotto

‘Inside the NBA’ Heads into Its Final Season

This Tuesday marks the last season opener for TNT’s renowned and award-winning program “Inside the NBA” and its beloved cast.

Featuring Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal, they are a true national gem in the world of sports commentary.

Read Jeff Zillgitt’s in-depth column discussing how they have become integral to the NBA’s culture, blending basketball discussion with humor and genuine conversation.

Joe Mazzulla on the Pressure Facing the Celtics

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla gave a striking, perhaps nihilistic response about the pressures surrounding his championship-defending team.

“There’s zero pressure,” Mazzulla stated to reporters on Monday. “In the grand scheme, we’re all going to be gone one day, so it doesn’t really matter. Whether we win or lose doesn’t change that; each game is just an opportunity.” — Lorenzo Reyes

Potential MVP Candidates

Who could be this season’s standout player in the NBA MVP race? Jeff Zillgitt highlights the leading candidates.

Major Questions for the 2024-25 NBA Season

A critical question heading into the new NBA season is whether the Celtics can retain their championship title. Explore more in Lorenzo Reyes’ article.

Key Free Agent Signings for the 2024-25 NBA Season

NBA Power Rankings

Here’s a ranking of all NBA teams based on their championship prospects as we kick off the 2024-25 regular season. All odds are provided by BetMGM.

• Boston Celtics (+325)
• Oklahoma City Thunder (+500)
• New York Knicks (+650)
• Philadelphia 76ers (+1000)
• Denver Nuggets (+1100)
• Dallas Mavericks (+1200)
• Minnesota Timberwolves (+1200)
• Milwaukee Bucks (+1400)
• Phoenix Suns (+2000)
• Cleveland Cavaliers (+3500)
• Memphis Grizzlies (+3500)

Historic Game with Ken Griffey Jr. and Sr. at Lakers’ Match

As LeBron James and Bronny James step onto the court for their inaugural game as members of the Los Angeles Lakers, it promises to be a historic moment.

That’s why former MLB stars Ken Griffey Jr. and Ken Griffey Sr. will be present at the Lakers’ home opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“We were the first father-son duo in baseball, and now we will witness the first father-son pair in basketball. It’s a significant occasion for us,” Griffey Jr. stated on SiriusXM radio earlier this week.

“We made history, and now we get to watch history.” — Steve Gardner