The Boston Celtics hosted the New York Knicks on February 23, 2025, at TD Garden for what was anticipated to be another thrilling showdown between two Eastern Conference powerhouses. With the Celtics holding the second seed (40-16) and the Knicks right behind them at third (37-19), both teams had their eyes set on securing home-court advantage for the playoffs.
Trailing by 2.5 games, the Knicks needed this win to keep their postseason hopes alive and quell concerns after their recent struggles. They had dropped to 37-19 after losing 142-105 at Cleveland just two days prior, recording their worst defeat of the season. On the contrary, the Celtics entered the game riding high on momentum with four consecutive wins and eight victories drawn from their last nine outings, including their latest win against Philadelphia (124-104).
Tip-off was set for 1 p.m. ET, with Boston determined to extend their dominance over New York, having previously beaten the Knicks by 27 points earlier this month. The Celtics had emerged victorious in both meetings this season, with the most recent matchup yielding Jayson Tatum averaging magnificent stats against his rivals—38.5 points and hitting around 60% from the three-point line. This not only underlined their recent superiority but also emphasized the Knicks' need to outshine past performances.
Heading onto the court, the Celtics faced their own injury hurdles, as backup center Neemias Queta was ruled out due to illness, reducing depth at the frontcourt. Queta, who had enjoyed considerable playing time earlier this season, was missed not just for his offensive contributions but also for his rebounding prowess, averaging 5.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game over his career-high 44 games.
The Knicks, too, found themselves resolving injuries among key players. Jalen Brunson had been explosive throughout the season, averaging 26 points alongside 7.6 assists per game, and was expected to grind the game down to the wire against the formidable Celtics' offense. Yet amid all of this was the looming threat of injuries to his fellow teammates, including Josh Hart and OG Anunoby. With Mitchell Robinson still recovering from ankle surgery, the Knicks' lineup was underwhelmed against Boston's healthy, competitive front.
Despite these obstacles, the Knicks came prepared to challenge for their first win of the season against Boston. Known for their explosive offense, the Knicks were riding some statistical highs as they had hit the Over 8-2 in their last ten games. Yet, statistics can often be deceiving. Their defensive rank was shaky at 18th overall, allowing teams to shoot well from beyond the arc. This inconsistency might perilously affect their chances against the Celtics, known for their shooting efficiency and offensive versatility.
For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown's performances would be pivotal. Tatum, already noted as having crossed the triple-double threshold with performances showcasing 32 points against San Antonio, brought versatility and depth to the Celtics' attack. Brown supplemented his contributions with steady performances, showcased during Boston's previous games leading to the current matchup.
The Celtics’ last game against New York on February 8 saw them not only beat the Knicks convincingly but also demonstrate their shooting prowess, landing 29 three-point shots—a record against New York. Such performances had built pressure on the Knicks, resulting in their consistent mediocrity against the Eastern Conference's top seeds.
Before the game, oddsmakers set Boston as 8.5-point favorites. Betting enthusiasts watched with growing excitement, contending with lines reflecting recent performances and projected outcomes with total points over/under hitting 232. Fans could easily stream the match on platforms like FuboTV, bringing even more anticipation to the day's proceedings.
With skills colliding on the hardwood of TD Garden and closely contested playoff stakes, this game between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks promised sheer basketball excitement, underscoring not only rivalry but also competitive inheritances rooted deep within the NBA lore.