
Boston Celtics vs Knicks Match Player Stats – Latest Scores and Key Performers
The New York Knicks hold a narrow 3-2 edge over the Boston Celtics in their last five regular-season encounters, with the most recent result on April 9, 2026 seeing the Knicks prevail 112-106 at Madison Square Garden. The rivalry has produced dramatic contrasts in shooting efficiency, with the Knicks dominating the February 8 matchup 111-89 while the Celtics responded with a 123-117 victory in December 2025. Individual performances from Jalen Brunson and Jaylen Brown have defined these matchups, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense continuation of one of the NBA’s most storied rivalries.
Celtics vs Knicks score and player stats today
Key statistical insights from recent matchups
- Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 31 points on efficient 12-of-21 shooting during the February 8, 2026 game.
- Jaylen Brown posted 26 points for Boston in that same matchup, converting 11 of 25 field goal attempts.
- Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a double-double performance with 10 rebounds alongside his scoring contributions.
- Josh Hart added 19 points off the bench, helping snap Boston’s five-game winning streak.
- Boston shot just 17 percent from three-point range (7 of 41) in the February blowout loss.
- The Knicks connected on 40 percent of their three-point attempts (14 of 35) in that same game.
- Turnover differential proved decisive, with Boston committing 10 turnovers compared to New York’s eight.
| Player | Team | Points | Field Goals | Rebounds | Game Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson | Knicks | 31 | 12/21 | — | February 8, 2026 |
| Jaylen Brown | Celtics | 26 | 11/25 | — | February 8, 2026 |
| Josh Hart | Knicks | 19 | — | — | February 8, 2026 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Knicks | — | — | 10 | February 8, 2026 |
The Knicks defeated the Celtics 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, with Brunson scoring 23 points in the series-clinching Game 6 victory on May 16, 2025. The Knicks won that decisive game 119-81, holding Boston to 36 percent shooting from the field and forcing 16 turnovers.
Boston Celtics vs Knicks match player stats on ESPN
ESPN provides comprehensive box score coverage for Celtics-Knicks encounters, documenting individual and team performance metrics across every game. The February 8, 2026 game recap offers the most detailed statistical breakdown available for this season’s matchups.
Team performance comparison (February 8, 2026)
The Knicks posted a commanding 48 percent field goal percentage compared to Boston’s struggling 37 percent. New York’s ball movement resulted in 46 total rebounds, significantly outperforming Boston’s 46 rebounds. The Celtics’ three-point shooting collapsed to 17 percent (7 of 41), one of their worst performances against the Knicks this season.
The Knicks converted at a 40 percent rate from beyond the arc (14 of 35) while the Celtics managed just 7 of 41 from three-point range. At the free throw line, Boston actually performed better at 93 percent compared to New York’s 71 percent, though the Knicks attempted three more shots from the charity stripe.
Quarter-by-quarter analysis
New York established control early, winning the first quarter 35-24. Boston responded in the second quarter with a 29-25 advantage, but the Knicks dominated the third period 25-15 to build an insurmountable lead. The fourth quarter saw both teams trade baskets, with New York maintaining composure to secure the 22-point victory.
| Quarter | Knicks | Celtics |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Quarter | 35 | 24 |
| 2nd Quarter | 25 | 29 |
| 3rd Quarter | 25 | 15 |
| 4th Quarter | 26 | 21 |
| Final | 111 | 89 |
Knicks vs Celtics last 5 games
The head-to-head record between these franchises shows New York’s recent dominance, though Boston demonstrated their capability to compete with an impressive 123-117 victory on December 2, 2025. The Knicks’ three wins came by an average margin of 18 points, indicating structural advantages in their recent matchups.
Recent results breakdown
According to StatMuse’s aggregate data, the Knicks have won the last three regular-season encounters, with the April 9, 2026 result being the most recent. This winning streak has narrowed the gap in the Eastern Conference standings, with both teams now separated by just three games in the loss column.
Detailed individual player statistics beyond the February 8 matchup remain limited. The April 9, 2026 game box score and December 2, 2025 game statistics were not fully available at time of reporting, requiring readers to consult official NBA sources for complete player-level data.
- April 9, 2026: Knicks 112, Celtics 106 (Knicks win)
- February 8, 2026: Knicks 111, Celtics 89 (Knicks win)
- December 2, 2025: Celtics 123, Knicks 117 (Celtics win)
- October 24, 2025: Knicks 105, Celtics 95 (Knicks win)
- May 16, 2025: Knicks 119, Celtics 81 (Knicks win – Playoffs)
Team trends and averages
During the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Boston averaged 116.3 points per game with 46.2 percent shooting and 45.3 rebounds across their last 10 playoff contests. The Knicks countered with 115.8 points per game, converting at 48.6 percent from the field and pulling down 42.6 rebounds. These figures highlight the competitive balance between the franchises, despite New York’s recent head-to-head success.
Celtics vs Knicks 2025 and 2026 match stats
2026 season performance
The Celtics enter the later stages of the 2025-26 season holding second place in the Eastern Conference with a 56-26 record, translating to a .683 winning percentage. The Knicks trail closely in third position at 53-29, representing a .646 winning percentage. This three-game separation in the standings reflects the narrow margin separating these elite teams.
2025 playoff series recap
The Knicks eliminated the Celtics in six games during the Eastern Conference Semifinals, with the decisive Game 6 on May 16, 2025 resulting in a 119-81 blowout. That game featured New York shooting 46 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range while forcing Boston into 16 turnovers.
Game 5 of that series saw Derrick White score 34 points in a Celtics victory (127-102), while Game 4 featured the Knicks’ comeback effort that gave them a 3-1 series lead. Payton Pritchard contributed 23 points in Game 3, and Jayson Tatum posted a near triple-double with nine rebounds and seven assists before the Celtics were eliminated.
The Knicks’ overtime victory in Game 1 (108-105) established early momentum, setting the tone for what became a grueling seven-game series against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Celtics-Knicks rivalry ranks among the most storied in NBA history, featuring legendary confrontations between Larry Bird and Bernard King in the 1980s, followed by subsequent chapters defined by Paul Pierce versus Carmelo Anthony. Recent additions like Brunson and Tatum have continued this tradition, making every matchup between these franchises a must-watch event.
Timeline of 2025-2026 matchups
The following chronological sequence outlines the most significant encounters between these teams during the 2025-26 season and the conclusion of the 2024-25 playoffs.
- May 5, 2025: Knicks defeat Celtics 108-105 in overtime, Game 1 of Eastern Conference Semifinals
- May 10, 2025: Celtics win 115-93 in Game 3, with Payton Pritchard scoring 23 points
- May 12, 2025: Knicks respond with 121-113 victory, taking 3-1 series lead
- May 14, 2025: Derrick White’s 34 points lead Celtics to 127-102 win in Game 5
- May 16, 2025: Knicks clinch series 4-2 with 119-81 victory in Game 6
- October 24, 2025: Knicks win regular season opener 105-95 against Celtics
- December 2, 2025: Celtics earn 123-117 victory in back-and-forth contest
- February 8, 2026: Knicks dominate 111-89, Brunson scores 31 points
- April 9, 2026: Knicks prevail 112-106 in closest contest of the season
Confirmed statistics versus information gaps
Verified facts
Comprehensive statistical data exists for the February 8, 2026 matchup, documenting individual performances from Brunson (31 points), Brown (26 points), and Hart (19 points). Team statistics including shooting percentages, rebounding totals, and turnover counts are fully available for that game. The Eastern Conference Semifinals series from May 2025 also maintains complete box score documentation across all six games, with team and individual figures confirmed through official NBA records.
Unconfirmed details
Individual player statistics for the April 9, 2026 game and the December 2, 2025 matchup were not available at time of publication. The October 24, 2025 regular season opener similarly lacks detailed player-level breakdown. Future game schedules and potential playoff rematches remain undetermined pending the conclusion of the current regular season.
Historical and competitive context
The Celtics-Knicks rivalry has evolved through multiple generations, with the current iteration featuring contrasting styles that have produced compelling basketball. Boston’s perimeter-oriented offense, anchored by Brown and Tatum, has struggled against New York’s defensive schemes, particularly from three-point range where the Knicks have consistently generated stops.
Brunson’s emergence as the Knicks’ primary offensive option has transformed their half-court efficiency, while Towns provides interior presence that complicates Boston’s defensive assignments. The addition of complementary pieces like Hart has given New York the depth necessary to compete with Boston’s talented roster throughout a grueling regular season and postseason campaign.
Both franchises enter the final stretch of the 2025-26 season positioned for potential playoff meetings, with seeding implications potentially determining whether these teams meet again in the postseason. The competitive balance demonstrated across their five regular-season meetings suggests any future series would likely extend deep into late-game scenarios.
Sources and additional references
“Brunson and Hart snapped Boston’s five-game winning streak with their dominant performance, keeping the Knicks firmly in contention for a top Eastern Conference seed.”
— ESPN Game Recap, February 8, 2026
- StatMuse Head-to-Head Statistics
- ESPN Game Recaps and Analysis
- Eastern Conference Semifinals Box Scores
- Celtics-Knicks Rivalry History
Summary
The Knicks hold a 3-2 advantage in their last five regular-season meetings against the Celtics, with Brunson’s 31-point performance on February 8, 2026 representing the most impressive individual showing from either team during this stretch. Boston’s lone victory came on December 2, 2025, when they outscored New York 123-117 in a high-scoring affair. The rivalry continues to deliver competitive basketball with playoff implications, as demonstrated by their similarities to other intense sports rivalries in terms of fan engagement and competitive balance. For complete box scores and updated statistics, readers should consult official NBA and ESPN resources as games are completed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Celtics vs Knicks rivalry history?
The Celtics-Knicks rivalry spans multiple decades, featuring legendary matchups between Larry Bird and Bernard King in the 1980s, followed by Paul Pierce and Carmelo Anthony eras. Recent battles between Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brunson have continued this tradition of competitive basketball.
Who are the top scorers in recent Celtics vs Knicks games?
Jalen Brunson leads recent scoring with 31 points on February 8, 2026. Jaylen Brown posted 26 points in that same game. Josh Hart added 19 points off the bench, while Derrick White scored 34 points during the May 2025 playoff series.
Where to find ESPN box scores for Celtics vs Knicks?
ESPN provides comprehensive box score coverage at espn.com for every Celtics-Knicks matchup. The official game pages include quarter-by-quarter breakdowns, individual statistics, and team performance metrics.
How many games have the Knicks won against the Celtics this season?
The Knicks have won three of five regular-season meetings against the Celtics during the 2025-26 season, including victories on October 24, February 8, and April 9. The Celtics won the December 2, 2025 matchup.
What was the score of the most recent Celtics vs Knicks game?
The most recent matchup on April 9, 2026 resulted in a Knicks victory 112-106. This win helped New York narrow the gap in the Eastern Conference standings, where both teams remain positioned for potential playoff seeding.
How did the Knicks perform in the 2025 playoffs against the Celtics?
The Knicks eliminated the Celtics in six games during the Eastern Conference Semifinals in May 2025. The decisive Game 6 ended 119-81 in New York’s favor, with Brunson scoring 23 points to close out the series.
What are the current NBA standings for Celtics and Knicks?
The Celtics hold second place in the Eastern Conference with a 56-26 record (.683 winning percentage). The Knicks occupy third position at 53-29 (.646), with both teams firmly positioned in playoff contention.