Knick Late Runs in 4th Fall Short. Boston 123 NY 117

December 3, 2025 LouV 2025-26 0

In a game of runs — the Knicks jumped out to a big lead in the 1st quarter, the Celtics came back furiously in the 2nd and 3rd quarters to take an 18-pt lead, and the Knicks pushed back in the 4th to pull within 3 pts with 2:40 left — but the Celtics hung on for a 123-117 victory on a Tuesday night in Boston.

Jaylen Brown was an unstoppable force for Boston in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, and tallied 42 pts overall on 16-24 shooting (2-6 from 3), while new Celtic ‘find’ Jordan Walsh was their X factor — grabbing big rebounds out of nowhere and making big defensive plays. Playing like Josh Hart.

Mikal Bridges starred for the Knicks; he would not let them die and came on big in the 4th — finishing with 35 pts on 12-17 shooting (8-12 from 3). Karl-Anthony Towns also provided punch with 29 pts on 12-19 shooting (2-5 from 3). NY suffered a poor shooting night from Jalen Brunson — 15 pts on 6-21 shooting (1-8 from 3) — and Walsh was part of the reason why. Brunson did have 11 assists. Hart had a good game with 19 pts on 7-11 shooting (4-7 from 3) with 7 rebounds.

“We didn’t play up to the level that we’re capable of, which is gonna to happen,” said coach Mike Brown afterwards. “We came out in the 1st quarter did a great job with our physicality; keeping them off the glass; and moving the basketball. In the 2nd and 3rd quarter, we didn’t do that. Their bench was really good impacting the game.”

“Obviously Jaylen Brown had a huge game for them with 42 points,” continued Brown. “But the unsung heroes were the guys that really impacted the game — the young kid Josh Menard did a great job knocking down open 3’s when the ball was swung to him, and did a nice job defensively. Even Sam Houser — his two 3’s were really big for them. Jordan Walsh impacted the game at a high level with his 4 offensive rebounds.”

“We just couldn’t get it done defensively in the 4th,” added Brown.

NY falls to 13-7; Boston improves to 12-9.

1. Knicks Jump Out to 12-Pt Lead in 1st Quarter

It was the first matchup between the teams since NY eliminated defending-champ Boston in last year’s playoffs, with Tom Thibodeau at the helm as Knick coach. Jayson Tatum blew out his achilies in the final minutes of the last game with the Knicks having already clinched it — and that injury has thrown off all intentions Boston had for a title-contending season. They traded Kristaps Porzingis to Atlanta in the summer — dumping the last year of his $30M/yr contract and entered this year looking to ride Jaylen Brown, and wait for Tatum.

Latest talk is that Tatum aims to get back by end of this season if Boston is able to maintain a good record.

NY jumped out to a big lead in the 1st quarter, as Karl-Anthony Towns powered inside against a small Boston front line — they had the 6’6 Walsh guarding him — and Miles McBride and Josh Hart hit 3’s from the outside.

Hart would hit three 3’s in the 1st quarter and NY went up by 12 points.

2. Celtics Dominate 2nd Quarter — Take 6-Pt Lead at Half

NY continued to dominate early in the 2nd quarter — taking a 14-pt lead at 39-25 — with KAT hitting a 3, and Josh Hart hitting his fourth 3.

But Boston stepped up. Payton Pritchett scored on a floater — and then Jaylen Brown went to work with 10 straight points — a dunk, a drive, a 3, and a drive-and-1. In all it was 13 straight Boston points to cut the Knick lead to 39-37.

NY pushed back with buckets by Tyler Kolek and KAT to re-up their lead to 6 pts — but Jaylen Brown and Boston kept coming. More buckets by Brown and a 3 by Derrick White gave the Celtics a 49-46 lead.

Boston led 58-52 at the half.

3. Brown & Walsh Push Boston Lead to 18 in 3rd

It was more of the same in the 3rd — with Jaylen Brown continue to score like a mad man, and Payton Pritchard and then Josh Minott, Neemias Queta, and Derrick White hitting buckets. Jordan Walsh was everywhere grabbing loose balls and playing great D.

Mikal Bridges caught fire — he and KAT and a bucket by Jalen Brunson kept the Knicks within 6 with 2:29 left in the quarter.

But Boston reeled off the last 12 points of the quarter — a drive by Anfernee Simons, another Jaylen Brown pullup, a 3 by Sam Hauser, and a 3 by Derrick White and NY was down by 18 at 94-76.

 

4. Kolek Dishes; Bridges on Fire — Knicks Come Back in 4th

But NY would not quit — they made a run right back — scoring the first 11 points of the 4th quarter — led by Tyler Kolek who was dishing and swishing — feeding KAT inside and out and hitting a 3 himself.

Second Knick Run in 4th Pulls them Within 3

Mikal Bridges then went nuts, leading NY on another 12-0 run — a 3 by Bridges, 3 free throws by Bridges after being fouled taking a 3, a drive-and-1 by KAT, and a 3 by Bridges pulled NY within 3 at 102-99 with 6:29 left.

Boston pushed back — Jordan Walsh making a couple of big plays putting in offensive rebounds for 4 straight points and a 109-101 Boston lead with 5 minutes left.

Third Knick Run in 4th Pulls them Within 3 Again

But NY would not go away — a KAT dunk-and-1, a Hart drive-and-1, and a Bridges 3 pulled NY within 3 again at 113-110 with 2:40 left.

5. Boston Takes It in Final 2 Minutes

But Boston pushed back — seemingly for the final time: Jordan Walsh made another big bucket inside off a feed from Jaylen Brown, Brunson missed a floater, then fouled Brown who made free throws, then Brunson another floater, and Derrick White made free throws and it was 119-110 with 1:27 left.

Fourth Knick Run in 4th Pulls Them Within 4 in Final Minute

But Mikal Bridges gave it one final try — putting on his Batman cape and dunking on a drive, then hitting a 3 next time down and NY was 119-115 with 45 seconds left — and then Knick defense forced Brown to throw the ball away and NY had the ball with 19 seconds left.

But Bridges missed a 3 — and Walsh and McBride tangled for the loose ball — forcing a jump ball with 12 seconds left in a 119-115 game.

The jump was won by Walsh — and the Celtics had their win.

The Boxscore

https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401810175

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