The Boston Celtics‘ 2023-24 season did not start auspiciously with star forward Jaylen Brown turning the ball over and bricking a 3 before 30 seconds of game time had passed. But Boston’s defense and focus were in high gear in the early minutes, with the Celtics jumping out to a 19-11 lead.
The Celtics held a comfortable lead for the first two and a half frames, carrying a 51-46 lead into the half, but sloppy play and defensive lapses on the perimeter allowed the Knicks to tie the game midway through the third at 66 up, with both teams trading leads until the game’s waning moments.
Boston eked out the win with big games from Jayson Tatum (34 points, 11 rebounds), Kristaps Porzingis (30 points, 8 boards, 4 blocks in his Celtics debut), Derrick White (12 points, 6 rebounds), and Jaylen Brown (11 points, 6 boards, 5 assists). While it didn’t show up in the box score, Payton Pritchard’s clutch play late was also pivotal for the victory.
🚨NEW CELTICS LAB PODCAST🚨@designer_smarf, @CTabatabaie & @justinquinnn talk #Celtics season opener vs #Knicks and MORE on the latest @CelticsLab 🍀🎙️🏀
⚡by @FDSportsbook – Sign up at https://t.co/mVTpeEZ6OW pic.twitter.com/hpkQnl1Tn7
— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) October 24, 2023
The Celtics held the Knicks to just 37.1% from the field in the win, but were also held to just 30.8% from deep, but also only had 18 assists to New York’s 24 while winning the block battle by an impressive 11 to none.
The team looks like it needs work learning to play together more, but the defensive foundation is more than was billed, and the offense of this iteration of the Celtics looking varied and very competent under pressure.
The Celtics next play their home opener vs. the Miami Heat on Friday, Oct. 27.
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ
