Knicks Defeat Celtics in Tight Eastern Conference Battle

Late-game heroics from Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson keep New York in playoff position

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:17am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics, with the court and players broken down into overlapping planes of vibrant orange, blue, green, and white colors.The Knicks' narrow victory over their longtime rivals, the Celtics, keeps them in the hunt for a top playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.Boston Today

The New York Knicks defeated their longtime rivals, the Boston Celtics, 112-106 in a crucial late-season matchup on Thursday night. The win keeps the Knicks in contention for the second seed in the NBA's Eastern Conference playoff race.

Why it matters

As two of the most storied franchises in the NBA, the Knicks and Celtics have a long-standing rivalry. This victory over a top Eastern Conference opponent boosts the Knicks' playoff positioning and their chances of securing home-court advantage in the postseason.

The details

The game came down to the wire, with the Knicks making key plays in the final minutes to pull out the victory. Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson led the way for New York, making crucial shots and free throws to seal the win.

  • The game was played on Thursday, April 10, 2026.

The players

Josh Hart

A starting guard for the New York Knicks who made several clutch plays down the stretch.

Jalen Brunson

The Knicks' starting point guard who also contributed heavily to the team's late-game heroics.

New York Knicks

An NBA team based in New York City that is currently in contention for a high playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.

Boston Celtics

A historic NBA franchise based in Boston, Massachusetts that is one of the Knicks' biggest rivals.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough game against a great team like the Celtics, but our guys stepped up when it mattered most.”

— Tom Thibodeau, Head Coach, New York Knicks

What’s next

The Knicks will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a top playoff seed, with key games against other East contenders coming up on their schedule.

The takeaway

This hard-fought victory over a division rival keeps the Knicks firmly in the hunt for a high playoff position, showcasing the team's resilience and ability to win close games against top competition.