If you just glance at the final numbers, you’re only getting half the story. Basketball is funny that way. On paper, the celtics knicks box score from their December 2nd clash tells you Boston walked away with a 123-117 victory, but it doesn't mention how the air inside the Garden felt like it was being sucked out during that fourth-quarter New York surge. It was one of those games where the stats lie just a little bit.
Jalen Brunson was basically a wizard for three quarters. Then, the Boston defense turned into a brick wall. Honestly, if you aren't tracking the efficiency ratings alongside the raw point totals, you’re missing why Joe Mazzulla looked so stressed on the sideline despite the lead.
Breaking Down the Celtics Knicks Box Score
Let's get into the weeds of the December 2, 2025, matchup. Boston came in with a chip on their shoulder after the Knicks bullied them earlier in October. The final score of 123-117 sounds close, but it was a game of extreme runs. Boston’s starters played heavy minutes. Jayson Tatum logged nearly 39 minutes, which is a lot for a regular-season game in December, but that’s the respect he has for this New York roster.
The shooting percentages were wild. Boston shot roughly 48% from the field, which is standard, but their three-point volume is what actually killed the Knicks. They didn't just take shots; they hunted them. When you see a team put up 45 triples and hit 19 of them, you’re usually looking at a win.
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New York, on the other hand, dominated the paint. Karl-Anthony Towns is still fitting into that Knicks system, but his gravity is real. He finished with a double-double, yet his +/- was surprisingly low. It's a weird quirk of the celtics knicks box score—sometimes the guys with the best stats aren't actually on the floor when the winning runs happen.
Key Performer Stats from the Garden
- Jayson Tatum: 31 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists. He was the engine.
- Jalen Brunson: 28 points, but 5 turnovers. Boston's length clearly bothered his passing lanes late in the game.
- Jaylen Brown: 24 points on 50% shooting. He was the one who stopped the bleeding every time New York got within five.
- Mikal Bridges: 15 points. He played elite defense, but his shooting remains a bit streaky in the New York lights.
Why the Bench Numbers Matter More Than You Think
People obsess over the stars. I get it. But look at the reserve minutes in the latest celtics knicks box score. Payton Pritchard came off the bench and hit three back-to-back shots in the second quarter that changed the entire momentum. Without those nine points, New York probably goes into halftime with a double-digit lead.
The Knicks’ bench felt a bit thin. Miles McBride gave them some spark, but they lacked that veteran presence to settle things down when the Celtics started pressing. It's kinda obvious that New York misses some of that depth they traded away to get the big names.
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Josh Hart did Josh Hart things. He grabbed 10 rebounds. He's 6'4". It makes no sense, but he does it every night. His hustle plays don't always show up as "points" in the box score, but they are the reason the game didn't turn into a 20-point blowout early on.
The Defensive Discrepancy
Look at the steals and blocks. Boston had 9 steals. New York had 4. That’s the game right there. Those extra possessions for Boston led to 14 fast-break points. In a six-point game, that's literally the difference between winning and losing.
Kristaps Porzingis (when healthy) changes the geometry of the court. Even when he isn't scoring, his presence at the rim makes guys like OG Anunoby hesitate. OG is a monster, but even he had a hard time finishing over the "Great Wall of Boston" in the final minutes.
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Season Series Context
The rivalry is currently leaning toward Boston this season, with the Celtics holding a 2-1 lead in the 2025-2026 series. Their next meeting is scheduled for February 8, 2026, at TD Garden. If you're betting on that one, keep an eye on the injury report. Boston has been resting Al Horford on back-to-backs, and New York is still figuring out their optimal closing lineup.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you are trying to understand how these teams stack up for the playoffs, don't just look at the points per game. Look at "Points in the Paint" and "Points off Turnovers."
- Watch the Turnover Margin: In every Celtics-Knicks game this year, the team with fewer turnovers has won. It sounds simple, but for two high-usage teams, it’s the primary indicator of success.
- Monitor the Corner Three: Boston lives for the corner triple. If New York allows more than 8 of these, they usually lose.
- Check the Minutes: Tom Thibodeau is notorious for running his starters into the ground. If Brunson and Bridges are over 40 minutes in the celtics knicks box score, look for them to fade in the final four minutes of the game.
To get the most out of following this rivalry, you should track the "Advanced Box Score" on sites like Basketball-Reference. It gives you the "True Shooting Percentage" (TS%) and "Effective Field Goal Percentage" (eFG%), which are much better at showing who was actually efficient versus who just took a lot of shots. Check the official NBA app about two hours after the game for the most accurate, corrected stats.