Knicks Defeat Celtics in Thriller at MSG

Boston's playoff positioning at stake in high-scoring affair

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:06pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic basketball action between the Knicks and Celtics, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant colors representing the players and the court.The Knicks and Celtics battled in a high-stakes, high-scoring affair that showcased the intensity of the NBA playoff race.NYC Today

The New York Knicks defeated the Boston Celtics 113-108 in a thrilling NBA matchup at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks, led by Jayson Tatum's 42 points, held off a late Celtics comeback to secure the victory and improve their playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.

Why it matters

This game had major implications for the Celtics' playoff seeding, as a win would have locked up the No. 2 seed in the East. The Knicks, currently the 3-seed, showed they can compete with the conference's elite teams and kept their hopes of a top-2 finish alive.

The details

The Knicks jumped out to an early lead, taking advantage of the absence of key Celtics players Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Neemias Queta. New York's offense was firing on all cylinders, led by Tatum's 42-point outburst. The Celtics made a late push to try and steal the game, but the Knicks held on for the victory.

  • The game tipped off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
  • Tatum scored 42 points, his highest total against the Celtics this season.

The players

Jayson Tatum

The Knicks' star forward had a dominant performance, scoring 42 points to lead his team to victory.

Jaylen Brown

The Celtics' guard was sidelined with an Achilles injury, a key absence that contributed to Boston's loss.

Derrick White

The Celtics' guard missed the game due to a knee injury, further depleting Boston's roster.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough game, but our guys stepped up and made the plays when it mattered most.”

— Tom Thibodeau, Knicks Head Coach

“It's disappointing to lose this one, but we'll regroup and be ready for the playoffs. Our focus is on securing the best possible seed.”

— Ime Udoka, Celtics Head Coach

What’s next

The Knicks will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a top-2 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics, meanwhile, will need to get healthy and regroup before the postseason begins.

The takeaway

This thrilling matchup between two of the East's top teams showcased the Knicks' ability to compete with the conference's elite, while also highlighting the Celtics' need to get healthy ahead of the playoffs. The race for positioning in the East remains tight, setting the stage for an exciting finish to the regular season.