Knicks vs Celtics Match Player Stats

The knicks vs celtics match player stats from the April 2026 meeting tell a much more detailed story than the final score alone. The New York Knicks defeated the Boston Celtics 112-106 at Madison Square Garden, but the game was closely contested for most of the night. Boston led after the first and third quarters, while New York produced its strongest basketball in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback. Josh Hart led all scorers with 26 points, Jalen Brunson added 25 points and 10 assists, and Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 16 points and 12 rebounds. For Boston, Jayson Tatum posted 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, while Payton Pritchard scored 23 points off the bench. (NBA.com)

There is one date detail worth clarifying before looking at the numbers. The official NBA record lists the game as April 9, 2026 in New York, while some score services display April 10 because of their date and time conventions. The venue, score, attendance, line score and player production match the supplied data and the official NBA record. (NBA.com)

Table of Contents

The final score was New York Knicks 112, Boston Celtics 106. The six-point margin does not fully describe how competitive the game was. Boston opened with a 29-26 first-quarter advantage and then extended its lead by winning the third quarter 30-27. New York responded by winning the second quarter 28-24 and, most importantly, the fourth quarter 31-23.

That fourth-quarter difference was decisive.

New York’s overall shooting was also an important factor. The Knicks made 43 of 80 field-goal attempts, finishing at 54 percent. Boston made 38 of 84 attempts, or 45 percent. From three-point range, New York made 15 of 35 attempts for 43 percent, while Boston made 16 of 43 for 37 percent.

Boston had the advantage on the glass, 42 rebounds to 30, but New York offset that difference with better shooting, fewer turnovers, more assists and more steals.

The NBA’s official box score records the complete player-by-player statistical line for the game. NBA official box score

Game Overview and Final Score

Category	Boston Celtics	New York Knicks
Final Score	106	112
Q1	29	26
Q2	24	28
Q3	30	27
Q4	23	31
Field Goals	38-84	43-80
Field Goal Percentage	45%	54%
3-Pointers	16-43	15-35
3-Point Percentage	37%	43%
Free Throws	14-16	11-15
Free Throw Percentage	88%	73%
Rebounds	42	30
Assists	23	29
Turnovers	10	7
Steals	4	9
Blocks	1	2
Offensive Rebounds	13	5
Defensive Rebounds	29	25
Team Fouls	16	17

The contrast is clear. Boston generated extra possessions through offensive rebounding, while New York was more efficient with the possessions it had.

The Knicks also had a seven-to-ten advantage in turnovers. That three-turnover difference matters because Boston’s 42-30 rebounding advantage did not translate into enough offensive efficiency to overcome New York’s ball security and shooting.

How the Four Quarters Shaped the Game

First Quarter: Celtics Establish Early Control

Boston began the game with a 29-26 lead.

The three-point margin was small, but it established a pattern that continued into the middle stages of the game. The Celtics were able to create offense efficiently enough to stay ahead despite New York’s home-court energy.

At this point, the game was not defined by one player. Both teams were still testing defensive matchups and searching for consistent scoring opportunities.

Second Quarter: Knicks Respond

New York reversed the quarter score in the second period, winning 28-24.

That four-point swing reduced Boston’s lead and helped establish a much tighter game entering halftime. The Knicks did not need a massive scoring burst. Instead, they gradually improved their efficiency and stayed within striking distance.

This is one of the most useful lessons when analyzing the knicks vs celtics match player stats. A game can turn through small statistical improvements rather than one dramatic sequence.

Third Quarter: Boston Regains Momentum

Boston responded strongly after halftime, scoring 30 points compared with New York’s 27.

The Celtics therefore entered the fourth quarter with a three-point advantage from the third period and remained in position to close out the game.

Boston’s rebounding advantage was particularly relevant during this portion of the contest. The Celtics finished with 13 offensive rebounds, compared with five for New York.

That gave Boston additional opportunities even though the Celtics did not convert those extra chances into a victory.

Fourth Quarter: New York Takes Control

The fourth quarter ultimately decided the game.

New York scored 31 points while Boston managed 23. The Knicks therefore produced an eight-point advantage in the final period, more than enough to erase Boston’s position and win by six.

Josh Hart was particularly influential. According to the NBA and associated game reports, he scored 15 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter. He also hit two three-pointers late in the game as New York closed strongly. (NBA.com)

The late-game sequence demonstrates why traditional box-score analysis should not focus only on total points. Hart’s scoring distribution was just as important as his 26-point total.

Josh Hart Leads the Knicks

Josh Hart finished with 26 points, making him the game’s leading scorer.

His shooting efficiency was one of the most notable aspects of his performance. He made 10 of 15 field-goal attempts, good for 66.7 percent, and hit five of seven three-point attempts.

That combination gave New York a highly efficient scoring source at an important position.

Hart also contributed three assists, one rebound and one steal. His final line was not based solely on volume shooting. He converted a high percentage of his attempts while becoming particularly important during the decisive fourth quarter.

The late three-point shooting was especially significant because Boston had remained competitive throughout the night. New York needed efficient scoring rather than simply more possessions.

Hart provided that efficiency.

Jalen Brunson Controls the Offense

Jalen Brunson finished with 25 points and 10 assists.

His scoring total placed him second in the game behind Hart, but his 10 assists reveal another part of his value. Brunson was not simply looking for his own shot. He was also responsible for creating opportunities for teammates.

The Knicks finished with 29 assists as a team, six more than Boston.

Brunson’s double-double therefore fits naturally into the broader team statistics. New York’s offense was more connected, and the ball moved effectively enough to produce a 54 percent overall shooting night.

The Knicks’ official game notes also reported that Brunson recorded 25 points and 10 assists in the contest. (NBA.com)

Karl-Anthony Towns Provides Interior Production

Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds.

His 12 rebounds made him New York’s leading rebounder, and his double-double provided important frontcourt production against a Boston team that eventually won the overall rebounding battle.

Towns also added four assists and two steals.

His offensive contribution was not as large as Hart’s or Brunson’s, but the combination of scoring, rebounding and playmaking made his overall performance significant.

The 12 rebounds were particularly important because Boston finished with a 42-30 team rebounding advantage. New York needed individual contributions such as Towns’ work on the glass to prevent that statistical difference from becoming decisive.

Mikal Bridges Adds Efficient Support

Mikal Bridges scored 10 points for New York.

His scoring total was lower than the team’s three primary offensive contributors, but the Knicks benefited from having multiple players capable of adding points without requiring a large offensive role.

This matters in a matchup involving two strong teams because defensive attention can shift toward the primary creators.

When Brunson and Hart attract defensive pressure, secondary players such as Bridges can help maintain offensive balance.

Boston’s Jayson Tatum Records a Near Triple-Double

Jayson Tatum produced one of the most complete statistical performances of the game.

He finished with:

24 points
13 rebounds
8 assists
1 steal
1 block

Tatum led Boston in scoring, rebounding and assists.

His 13 rebounds were the highest total by any player in the game, while his eight assists placed him only two assists short of a triple-double.

The performance was especially notable because it came during his return to Madison Square Garden following his previous Achilles injury at the arena. NBA reporting noted that it was his first game back at MSG since that injury. (NBA.com)

From a pure statistical perspective, however, the biggest issue was shooting efficiency. Tatum made seven of 22 field-goal attempts, including two of 10 from three-point range.

He compensated partly through the free-throw line, where he made eight of 10 attempts.

His final scoring total was therefore strong, but his shooting efficiency was considerably lower than that of New York’s leading scorers.

Payton Pritchard Provides Major Bench Scoring

Payton Pritchard scored 23 points for Boston.

That put him only one point behind Tatum and demonstrated the importance of Boston’s second unit.

Pritchard’s scoring was especially useful because Boston was without Jaylen Brown for the game. The official NBA recap reported that Brown was unavailable because of left Achilles tendinitis. (NBA.com)

Pritchard stepped into a larger scoring role and helped Boston maintain offensive pressure.

His 23 points also demonstrate why team-level analysis needs to account for bench production. Boston did not lose this game because its reserves failed to score.

In fact, the Celtics’ bench was a major statistical strength.

Baylor Scheierman Has a Remarkable Shooting Night

Baylor Scheierman scored 20 points off the bench.

His shooting efficiency was exceptional. He made seven of eight field-goal attempts and six of seven three-point attempts.

That means he scored 20 points while taking only eight total field-goal attempts.

His three-point shooting was particularly valuable because Boston relied heavily on perimeter scoring throughout the game. The Celtics finished with 16 made three-pointers.

Scheierman’s six made threes accounted for a large share of that production.

The official Celtics recap noted that the six made threes tied Scheierman’s career high. (NBA.com)

Nikola Vucevic Contributes From the Bench

Nikola Vucevic scored 10 points for Boston.

Although his scoring total was lower than the other major Boston contributors, his presence added another double-digit scorer to the Celtics’ rotation.

Boston’s ability to receive points from multiple bench players was one of the more interesting features of the game.

The Celtics eventually finished with a 53-22 bench scoring advantage, according to the official team recap. (NBA.com)

Yet that advantage did not produce a victory because New York gained more from its starters, shot more efficiently overall and committed fewer turnovers.

Knicks vs Celtics Match Player Stats: Shooting Comparison

Shooting percentage was one of the clearest statistical differences.

New York shot 54 percent from the field.

Boston shot 45 percent.

That nine-percentage-point difference is significant.

The Knicks also made 15 of 35 three-point attempts, compared with Boston’s 16 of 43.

Boston therefore made one more three-pointer despite taking eight more attempts from behind the arc.

This is an important distinction.

Three-point volume helped Boston generate offense, but New York’s higher overall efficiency meant the Knicks extracted more value from their shot attempts.

The free-throw numbers favored Boston. The Celtics made 14 of 16 attempts for 88 percent, while New York made 11 of 15 for 73 percent.

So Boston was more accurate at the free-throw line, but New York’s field-goal efficiency created the larger overall advantage.

Rebounding Tells a Different Story

Boston won the rebounding battle 42-30.

The Celtics collected 13 offensive rebounds and 29 defensive rebounds.

New York recorded only five offensive rebounds and 25 defensive rebounds.

On a basic statistical level, this should have given Boston an important advantage.

Offensive rebounds can create second-chance possessions, while defensive rebounds prevent opponents from getting additional opportunities.

Yet the Celtics did not turn that rebounding advantage into enough scoring efficiency.

This is a useful reminder that no single box-score category explains an entire basketball game.

Boston won the boards.

New York won the game.

Assists and Ball Movement

New York finished with 29 assists compared with Boston’s 23.

That six-assist difference reflects a more productive passing night for the Knicks.

Brunson’s 10 assists were the most in the game, while Tatum led Boston with eight.

The combination of Brunson’s playmaking and New York’s 54 percent field-goal shooting is particularly noteworthy.

When a team shoots efficiently and also generates a high number of assisted baskets, the offense is usually benefiting from quality shot creation rather than depending exclusively on difficult individual attempts.

Turnovers Give New York Another Edge

Turnovers were another area where New York had an advantage.

The Knicks committed seven turnovers.

Boston committed 10.

That three-turnover difference may appear small, but it becomes meaningful in a six-point game.

New York also generated nine steals compared with four for Boston.

The Knicks therefore created more defensive events while simultaneously protecting the ball better.

This combination helped compensate for their significant rebounding disadvantage.

Team Defense and Extra Possessions

New York recorded nine steals and two blocks.

Boston recorded four steals and one block.

The Knicks therefore produced eight combined steals and blocks compared with five for Boston.

However, the most interesting defensive statistic may be the relationship between defensive activity and turnovers.

New York’s nine steals contributed to Boston’s 10 turnovers. At the same time, the Knicks committed only seven turnovers themselves.

That two-way possession advantage helped offset Boston’s dominance on the offensive glass.

Why Boston’s Bench Advantage Was Not Enough

Boston’s 53-22 bench scoring advantage is one of the most striking numbers from the game.

Pritchard scored 23.

Scheierman scored 20.

Vucevic scored 10.

Together, those three players produced 53 points.

New York’s bench production was much smaller by comparison.

Yet the Knicks still won.

The reason becomes clearer when the entire box score is considered.

New York’s starters received major contributions from Hart, Brunson and Towns. The Knicks also shot 54 percent from the field and 43 percent from three-point range.

Boston’s bench scoring was excellent, but it did not compensate for the team’s 45 percent overall shooting and 10 turnovers.

This is a good example of why player statistics should be read as a connected system rather than as isolated totals.

Season Series: Knicks Win 3-1

The teams met four times during the season, and New York won the series 3-1.

The reported results were:

Game	Result
October 25	Knicks 105, Celtics 95
December 3	Celtics 123, Knicks 117
February 8	Knicks 111, Celtics 89
April 9/10	Knicks 112, Celtics 106

The final meeting therefore gave New York three wins in four games.

The February meeting produced the largest Knicks victory in the series, with New York winning by 22 points.

The December game was Boston’s only victory in the season series.

The April meeting was much closer and came down to New York’s fourth-quarter execution.

What the Stats Say About the Knicks’ Win

Several numbers work together to explain the result.

1. New York Shot Better

The Knicks shot 54 percent compared with Boston’s 45 percent.

That was the largest basic efficiency difference in the game.

2. New York Took Better Care of the Ball

Seven turnovers versus 10 gave New York a three-turnover advantage.

3. New York Created More Assists

The Knicks recorded 29 assists compared with Boston’s 23.

4. New York Produced More Steals

The Knicks had nine steals compared with four for Boston.

5. New York Finished Strong

The Knicks won the fourth quarter 31-23.

Together, these factors explain how New York could lose the rebounding battle by 12 and still win the game by six points.

What the Stats Say About Boston’s Performance

Boston’s statistical profile was unusual for a team that lost.

The Celtics:

Won the rebounding battle 42-30
Won offensive rebounding 13-5
Made 16 three-pointers
Shot 88 percent from the free-throw line
Scored 53 bench points
Received 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists from Tatum

Those are significant positives.

The main problems were shooting efficiency, turnovers and the fourth quarter.

Boston made 38 of 84 field-goal attempts, while New York made 43 of 80.

That meant the Knicks needed fewer attempts to score more points.

The Celtics also struggled to maintain their advantage when the game entered its final minutes.

The Importance of Josh Hart’s Fourth Quarter

Hart’s fourth quarter deserves separate attention because it illustrates how game context can change the meaning of a box-score total.

He finished with 26 points, but 15 came in the fourth quarter.

That means more than half of his scoring arrived during the final period.

He also hit two late three-pointers as the Knicks closed out the game.

The NBA described the ending as a 13-5 Knicks run, with Hart hitting the key shots late. (NBA.com)

For statistical analysis, this is important because 26 points scored evenly across four quarters would tell a different story from 26 points with a major concentration in the closing period.

Hart’s scoring distribution directly matched the game’s most important moment.

The Role of Jalen Brunson’s 10 Assists

Brunson’s 25 points attracted attention, but his 10 assists may have been even more important to understanding the Knicks’ offensive structure.

New York scored 112 points and recorded 29 assists.

Brunson accounted for 10 of those assists himself.

That means the Knicks had a primary ball handler capable of generating opportunities for teammates while still producing 25 points.

His combination of scoring and playmaking also prevented Boston from focusing exclusively on stopping one type of offensive action.

Tatum’s All-Around Production

Tatum’s 24-13-8 line was arguably the most complete individual statistical performance in the game.

He led Boston in three major categories.

However, the numbers also show the difficulty of converting all-around production into a team victory.

Tatum shot 7 of 22 from the field and 2 of 10 from three-point range.

His 80 percent free-throw shooting helped his scoring total, but Boston needed more efficient field-goal production to capitalize on its rebounding advantage.

His six turnovers were also notable because Boston finished with 10 total turnovers.

That means Tatum accounted for more than half of Boston’s giveaways.

A Closer Look at Efficiency

A useful way to evaluate this matchup is to consider what each team achieved with its opportunities.

New York attempted 80 field goals and made 43.

Boston attempted 84 and made 38.

Boston had four more field-goal attempts but five fewer field goals.

That difference alone accounts for a major portion of the final scoring gap.

The Knicks also made 15 three-pointers on 35 attempts, while Boston made 16 on 43.

The Celtics needed eight additional three-point attempts to make one more three-pointer.

This suggests that New York’s offensive efficiency was not simply the result of getting more shots.

It was about converting a greater percentage of the opportunities available.

Final Statistical Takeaways

The most important numbers from the game can be summarized as follows:

Josh Hart led all scorers with 26 points.
Jalen Brunson recorded 25 points and 10 assists.
Karl-Anthony Towns posted 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Jayson Tatum recorded 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists.
Payton Pritchard scored 23 points.
Baylor Scheierman scored 20 points while making six three-pointers.
New York shot 54 percent from the field.
Boston shot 45 percent from the field.
New York committed seven turnovers.
Boston committed 10 turnovers.
Boston won the rebounding battle 42-30.
New York won the fourth quarter 31-23.
New York won the season series 3-1.

These numbers show a matchup where Boston controlled certain possession categories but New York was more efficient in the areas that directly influenced the final score.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the leading scorer in the Knicks vs Celtics game?

Josh Hart was the leading scorer with 26 points for New York. He made 10 of 15 field-goal attempts and five of seven three-point attempts.

How many points did Jayson Tatum score against the Knicks?

Jayson Tatum scored 24 points. He also recorded 13 rebounds and eight assists, giving him one of the most complete individual stat lines of the game.

How many assists did Jalen Brunson have?

Jalen Brunson recorded 10 assists along with 25 points. He led all players in assists.

Who led the game in rebounds?

Jayson Tatum led all players with 13 rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns led New York with 12 rebounds.

Did the Knicks win the season series against the Celtics?

Yes. New York won three of the four regular-season meetings, giving the Knicks a 3-1 season-series advantage.

Why did the Knicks win despite losing the rebounding battle?

New York compensated with better shooting efficiency, fewer turnovers, more assists and more steals. The Knicks shot 54 percent from the field compared with Boston’s 45 percent and won the fourth quarter 31-23.

Conclusion

The knicks vs celtics match player stats from this meeting show why the final six-point margin does not tell the entire story.

Boston controlled the boards, collected 13 offensive rebounds and received 53 points from its bench. Jayson Tatum delivered 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, while Payton Pritchard and Baylor Scheierman supplied major scoring from the second unit.

New York won through efficiency and execution.

The Knicks shot 54 percent from the field, made 43 percent of their three-point attempts, recorded 29 assists and committed only seven turnovers. Josh Hart’s 26 points and especially his fourth-quarter scoring were central to the result. Jalen Brunson added 25 points and 10 assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double.

The fourth quarter ultimately separated the teams. Boston had remained within reach throughout the game, but New York scored 31 points in the final period while holding Boston to 23. That closing stretch transformed a competitive matchup into a 112-106 Knicks victory.

Looking at the complete statistical picture also shows why individual box-score categories should not be considered in isolation. Boston won the rebounding battle, but New York won the shooting battle. Boston had more bench points, while New York had fewer turnovers. Tatum produced the game’s top rebounding total, while Brunson led all players in assists. Hart, meanwhile, delivered the biggest scoring contribution when the game was decided.

The season series ended 3-1 in New York’s favor, making this matchup a useful example of how efficiency, ball security, shot-making and fourth-quarter execution can outweigh a substantial rebounding disadvantage.