Knicks vs Boston Celtics Match Player Stats: Why the Champs Dominated NY (2024-25)
Looking at the Knicks vs Boston Celtics match player stats this season tells a clear story of dominance and struggle.
I’ve analysed every possession, every shot, and every defensive stand across their three matchups this season.
What emerges is a statistical narrative that reveals exactly why the defending champions have had New York’s number.
The Season Series at a Glance
The defending champs have completely swept New York in all three meetings:
- Season Opener (TD Garden): Celtics 132, Knicks 109 – Banner night statement
- February 8th (MSG): Celtics 131, Knicks 104 – Dominant despite missing stars
- February 23rd (TD Garden): Celtics 118, Knicks 105 – Complete season sweep
Current standings show Boston (45-18) sitting second in the East, with New York (40-22) close behind in third.
But these similar records hide a massive gap when they go head-to-head.
Opening Night Massacre
The season started with Boston raising their championship banner before promptly dismantling the Knicks.
This set the tone for what would become a one-sided rivalry.
The stat sheet showed Boston’s depth and firepower right from day one.
Key takeaway: Boston announced they wouldn’t suffer any championship hangover when facing New York.
February 8th: MSG Meltdown
Even without Jrue Holiday (shoulder) and Kristaps Porzingis (illness), Boston dominated on the Knicks’ home court.
The detailed box score reveals just how one-sided this contest became, especially after halftime.
Celtics Individual Brilliance
Jayson Tatum turned in a masterclass:
- 40 points
- 6 rebounds
- 4 assists
- Third-quarter explosion (19 points)
Payton Pritchard came off the bench to drop 25 points.
Derrick White added 17 points, including 14 in the third quarter during a decisive 19-3 run.
Luke Kornet stepped up with Porzingis out:
- 14 points
- 12 rebounds
- Strong defensive presence
Knicks’ Lone Warriors
Jalen Brunson carried the offensive load:
- 36 points
- 5 assists
- Continued his breakout season
Josh Hart contributed across categories:
- 17 points
- 8 rebounds
- 3 assists
- 2 steals
Karl-Anthony Towns struggled badly:
- Just 9 points
- 9 rebounds
- Failed to exploit Porzingis’ absence
February 23rd: Boston Completes the Sweep
The most recent matchup saw Boston control from the opening tip.
The Celtics raced to an early lead while holding New York to just 19 first-quarter points on 30.8% shooting.
The game footage shows Boston’s superior ball movement creating high-percentage looks, while New York’s starters struggled with their shooting touch.
Knicks’ Statistical Bright Spots
Despite the loss, some Knicks showed fight:
Karl-Anthony Towns bounced back:
- 24 points
- 18 rebounds
- 9-of-20 shooting
- 3-of-4 from three
Josh Hart nearly got a triple-double:
- 20 points
- 11 rebounds
- 9 assists
- 8-of-14 shooting
Jalen Brunson remained consistent:
- 22 points
- 4-of-9 from three
- Third-quarter surge that sparked a comeback attempt
The Numbers That Matter: Deep Statistical Analysis
Diving into the advanced metrics from Basketball Reference, several critical patterns emerge that explain Boston’s dominance.
Boston’s Three-Point Dominance
In the February 8th game alone, Boston hit 19 three-pointers.
Tatum, Pritchard, and White combined for 17 of those makes.
This perimeter attack consistently broke New York’s defensive rotations, generating a stunning 131 points despite missing two starters.
Shooting Efficiency Gap
Across all three matchups, Boston has maintained superior shooting splits:
- Field Goal %: Boston 49.7% vs New York 43.2%
- Three-Point %: Boston 41.5% vs New York 35.3%
- True Shooting %: Boston 61.2% vs New York 55.8%
These efficiency differentials translate directly to the scoreboard.
Individual Statistical Standouts
Across all matchups:
Celtics Leaders:
- Jayson Tatum averaged 30+ points, showcasing his complete offensive arsenal
- Boston’s balanced scoring attack overwhelmed New York’s defensive schemes
- Role players stepped up consistently (Pritchard, Kornet, White)
Knicks Performers:
- Jalen Brunson produced 25+ point games despite focused defensive attention
- Karl-Anthony Towns showed inconsistency against the champions
- OG Anunoby’s absence (foot injury) in the February 8th game highlighted New York’s depth issues
What This Tells Us About Both Teams
For Boston, these games confirm their status as title favourites.
They’ve proven they can win:
- At home or away
- With key players missing
- By exploiting matchups
- Through defensive versatility
For New York, the hard truth is they haven’t found the formula to challenge the champs.
Despite adding Towns and Anunoby to complement Brunson, they remain a clear step below Boston.
With the playoffs approaching, this statistical gap may preview potential postseason matchups.
What Needs to Change: Strategic Adjustments
If I’m in Tom Thibodeau’s position, I’m focused on these game-changing adjustments:
- Perimeter Defence – Boston’s three-point shooting has killed New York in every meeting, allowing 19+ threes per game
- Offensive Balance – Too much Brunson isolation (36.2% usage rate vs Boston); need more Towns involvement (just 12.8 shots per game vs Celtics)
- Transition Defence – Boston’s fast break points have been devastating (17.3 per game in the series)
- Mental Toughness – New York has been outscored by an average of 14.3 points in third quarters, often folding when Boston makes runs
- Rebounding Battle – Despite Towns’ presence, Boston has won the rebounding battle in 2 of 3 matchups
The data suggests a complete defensive overhaul is needed before any potential playoff meeting.
FAQ About Knicks vs Celtics 2024-25 Season Matchups
Who has been the best player in Knicks vs Celtics games this season?
Jayson Tatum has dominated with 32.7 points per game and 49.3% shooting. His 40-point masterclass at MSG stands out as the defining individual performance of the series.
Has Karl-Anthony Towns lived up to expectations against Boston?
No. Towns has averaged just a 14.3/12.3 stat line on 41.2% shooting against Boston. His 9-point struggle on February 8th was particularly disappointing given Porzingis’ absence.
Can the Knicks compete with Boston in a playoff series?
Based on current statistics, they’d be significant underdogs. The average margin of defeat (21.3 points) suggests major adjustments would be needed in defensive rotations and offensive balance.
What’s been Boston’s biggest advantage in these matchups?
Three-point volume and efficiency. Boston has made 54 threes across the three games (18 per game) at a 41.5% clip. Their ball movement has consistently generated open looks against New York’s defensive scheme.
Has Jalen Brunson performed well against Boston?
Yes. Brunson has averaged 28.7 points and 4.7 assists against Boston, maintaining his efficiency despite being the primary defensive focus. His third quarter performance on February 23rd (14 points) showed his ability to carry the offensive load.
How has Boston’s bench performed against New York?
Boston’s bench has outscored New York’s reserves 38.7 to 24.3 points per game in their matchups. Payton Pritchard has been particularly impactful, averaging 16.7 points against the Knicks.
Looking Ahead: Playoff Implications
With just under a month left in the regular season, both teams are finalizing their playoff positioning and rotations.
The current standings (Celtics 45-18, Knicks 40-22) suggest a potential second-round playoff matchup looms.
These head-to-head stats paint a concerning picture for New York fans:
- Average margin of defeat: 21.3 points
- Three-point differential: -27 (54 vs 27 made threes)
- Third quarter scoring gap: -43 points across three games
The Knicks have limited time to solve their Boston problem before the postseason begins.
They’ll need to find defensive answers for Tatum’s scoring arsenal, Boston’s perimeter shooting, and the Celtics’ depth advantage.
For now, based on comprehensive analysis of Knicks vs Boston Celtics match player stats, the numbers overwhelmingly favor the defending champions in this increasingly one-sided rivalry.
