Knicks Stay Alive in Race for Second Seed in East

Knicks defeat Celtics in Tatum's return to MSG

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:10am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action of a basketball game between the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics, with the players and court rendered in abstract, overlapping shapes and planes of color.The Knicks' victory over the Celtics keeps them in the hunt for a top playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.New Haven Today

The New York Knicks kept their playoff hopes alive with a victory over the Boston Celtics, led by strong performances from Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson. The win keeps the Knicks in contention for the second seed in the Eastern Conference.

Why it matters

The Knicks have been battling for positioning in the crowded Eastern Conference playoff race, and this win over the Celtics, one of the top teams in the East, could prove crucial as the regular season winds down.

The details

Josh Hart scored 15 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, while Jalen Brunson added 25 points and 10 assists to lead the Knicks to victory over the Celtics. The win keeps the Knicks in the hunt for the second seed in the East, which would give them home-court advantage in the early rounds of the playoffs.

  • The game took place on April 10, 2026.

The players

Josh Hart

A key player for the New York Knicks who scored 26 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, to lead his team to victory.

Jalen Brunson

The Knicks' starting point guard, who contributed 25 points and 10 assists in the win over the Celtics.

Jayson Tatum

The star forward for the Boston Celtics, who returned to Madison Square Garden for the game after missing time due to injury.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We knew this was a big game for us, and the guys really stepped up when it mattered most.”

— Tom Thibodeau, Head Coach, New York Knicks

What’s next

The Knicks will continue their push for a top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, with key matchups against other contenders in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The Knicks' victory over the Celtics keeps them in the hunt for a high playoff seed, showcasing the team's resilience and the strong performances of key players like Hart and Brunson. As the regular season winds down, these types of wins could prove crucial in determining the Knicks' postseason positioning.