Boston Celtics vs Knicks Match Player Stats
The boston celtics vs knicks match player stats from Game 4 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals tell a much deeper story than the final score alone. On May 13, 2025, the New York Knicks defeated the Boston Celtics 121 to 113 at Madison Square Garden, taking a 3 to 1 lead in the series. Jayson Tatum led Boston with 42 points, while Jalen Brunson produced 39 points and 12 assists for New York. Karl-Anthony Towns added 11 rebounds, helping the Knicks win the rebounding battle 43 to 31.
The result was especially important because Boston entered the postseason series with a 61 to 21 regular-season record, including a strong 33 to 8 road record. New York finished the regular season 51 to 31 and had a 27 to 14 home record. Those numbers made Game 4 an important test of whether Boston’s regular-season efficiency could overcome New York’s home-court pressure and physical style.
This article breaks down the available player and team statistics from the game, explains where the contest was won, and looks beyond individual scoring totals to understand why New York moved one victory away from winning the series.
Boston Celtics vs Knicks Match Player Stats
The most important individual numbers from Game 4 immediately show how competitive the game was.
| Player | Team | Key Statistical Contribution |
| Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics | 42 points |
| Jalen Brunson | New York Knicks | 39 points, 12 assists |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | New York Knicks | 11 rebounds |
Tatum’s 42 points were the highest scoring total recorded by either team in the supplied game data. His scoring output was one of the clearest reasons Boston remained competitive throughout the contest.
Brunson, however, influenced the game in two major ways. His 39 points gave New York a primary scoring option, while his 12 assists demonstrated his ability to create opportunities for teammates. That combination is important because a point guard’s impact cannot be fully measured through points alone.
Towns’ 11 rebounds also deserve attention. New York collected 43 total rebounds compared with Boston’s 31, a 12-rebound advantage. Towns was therefore part of one of the most important statistical differences in the game.
The box score also shows that New York had 25 assists compared with Boston’s 15. That 10-assist gap provides useful context when evaluating the individual performances.
Game Overview and Final Score
The Knicks won the game 121 to 113.
The scoring pattern was unusual because the two teams had very different stretches of control.
Boston opened the game strongly, scoring 39 points in the first quarter. New York scored 28.
That gave Boston an 11-point advantage after one quarter.
The second quarter was much closer. Boston scored 23 points and New York also scored 23. Boston therefore entered halftime with its 11-point lead intact.
The game changed dramatically after halftime.
New York scored 37 points in the third quarter while Boston managed 23. That 14-point difference erased Boston’s advantage and gave the Knicks momentum heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter remained high scoring. New York scored 33 points while Boston scored 28.
The quarter-by-quarter numbers were:
| Quarter | Boston Celtics | New York Knicks |
| Q1 | 39 | 28 |
| Q2 | 23 | 23 |
| Q3 | 23 | 37 |
| Q4 | 28 | 33 |
| Total | 113 | 121 |
The most revealing number is the third quarter.
Boston led by 11 points after the opening half, but New York outscored Boston by 14 in the third. That changed the direction of the game and put the Knicks in front.
How Boston Built Its Early Lead
Boston’s 39-point first quarter was an excellent offensive start.
Scoring 39 points in a single quarter gave the Celtics immediate control of the scoreboard. New York’s 28 points were respectable, but Boston’s 11-point advantage meant the Knicks had to spend the rest of the game recovering ground.
This is an important lesson when looking at boston celtics vs knicks match player stats. A team’s final scoring total does not explain when the points were produced.
Boston ultimately scored 113 points, which is a strong offensive total. But because New York dramatically increased its scoring after halftime, Boston’s early advantage did not survive.
Tatum’s 42-point performance was particularly important in this context. Boston needed reliable scoring throughout the game, and Tatum provided it.
However, individual scoring cannot completely compensate for disadvantages in other statistical areas.
Jayson Tatum’s 42-Point Performance
Jayson Tatum finished as Boston’s leading scorer with 42 points.
That number immediately stands out because he accounted for a substantial share of Boston’s 113 points.
A 42-point performance shows that Boston had a dependable primary scoring option. Even though the Knicks eventually won, Tatum’s production kept the Celtics within striking distance.
From an analytical perspective, his performance should not be judged simply by whether Boston won or lost.
A player’s scoring can be excellent even in a losing performance. The more useful question is whether the rest of the team’s statistical profile supported that scoring.
Boston finished the game with:
- 48 percent field-goal shooting
- 38 percent three-point shooting
- 73 percent free-throw shooting
- 31 rebounds
- 15 assists
- 12 turnovers
- 8 steals
- 2 blocks
Those numbers show that Boston was not completely overwhelmed offensively. The Celtics shot 48 percent from the field and made 18 three-pointers.
The bigger issue was that New York produced stronger overall team numbers in several categories.
Jalen Brunson’s 39 Points and 12 Assists
Jalen Brunson’s 39 points were just three fewer than Tatum’s 42.
That makes the scoring comparison particularly interesting.
Tatum had the higher individual scoring total, but Brunson combined his 39 points with 12 assists. His passing contribution helped explain New York’s 25 team assists.
The difference between individual scoring and playmaking is important.
A player scoring 39 points can directly add 39 points to the team’s scoring total, but 12 assists indicate another layer of offensive involvement. Assists can create scoring opportunities for teammates, helping an offense become less dependent on one scorer.
New York’s 25 assists compared with Boston’s 15 indicate that the Knicks generated considerably more assisted offense overall.
That does not mean every assist came from Brunson, but his 12 assists made him the clear leader in that category according to the supplied data.
For that reason, Brunson’s performance was arguably one of the most complete individual displays of the game.
Karl-Anthony Towns and the Rebounding Battle
Karl-Anthony Towns led New York with 11 rebounds.
That contribution becomes more meaningful when viewed alongside the complete team rebounding numbers.
New York grabbed 43 rebounds.
Boston grabbed 31.
That created a 12-rebound advantage for the Knicks.
New York also won the offensive rebounding battle 13 to 7.
Offensive rebounds can be particularly valuable because they create additional possessions after missed shots. A team that consistently retrieves its own misses has more opportunities to attack the basket, reset its offense, or create another scoring chance.
New York’s 13 offensive rebounds were six more than Boston’s seven.
The defensive rebounding numbers were also in New York’s favor:
- New York defensive rebounds: 30
- Boston defensive rebounds: 24
Therefore, the Knicks held advantages on both offensive and defensive rebounding.
Towns’ 11 rebounds were a major individual contribution within that larger team advantage.
Team Shooting Comparison
Shooting percentages provide another useful way to understand the game.
Boston shot 38 of 79 from the field, which was listed as 48 percent.
New York shot 50 of 92, listed as 54 percent.
That means the Knicks made 12 more field goals than Boston.
The raw attempt totals also matter.
Boston attempted 79 field goals.
New York attempted 92.
New York therefore had 13 more field-goal attempts.
That combination is significant.
The Knicks did not simply take more shots. They also converted their field-goal attempts at a higher listed percentage.
This gave New York a major offensive advantage.
Boston’s Three-Point Shooting
Boston made 18 of 48 three-point attempts, listed at 38 percent.
The Celtics therefore relied heavily on perimeter scoring.
The volume was substantial, with 48 three-point attempts.
For a team that shoots nearly 50 three-point attempts, efficiency becomes extremely important. Boston’s listed 38 percent rate was solid, but New York’s overall field-goal efficiency and greater number of total attempts helped the Knicks produce the higher final score.
New York’s Three-Point Shooting
New York made 12 of 34 three-point attempts, listed at 35 percent.
The Knicks therefore attempted 14 fewer three-pointers than Boston.
Despite making six fewer threes, New York scored 121 points.
That is an important clue about how the Knicks generated their offense.
New York did not need to win the three-point volume battle to win the game. Its broader offensive production came through a combination of field goals, rebounding, assists, and overall shot volume.
Free-Throw Comparison
Free throws were relatively similar in efficiency.
Boston shot 19 of 26 from the line, listed at 73 percent.
New York shot 9 of 12, listed at 75 percent.
New York had a slightly better free-throw percentage, but the more important difference was volume.
Boston attempted 26 free throws.
New York attempted only 12.
Boston made 19 free throws, compared with nine for New York.
This means Boston actually scored more points at the free-throw line.
That makes the final result even more interesting because the Celtics had advantages in certain scoring areas but still lost by eight points.
The game therefore cannot be explained by free throws alone.
Rebounds: One of the Biggest Differences
The 43 to 31 rebounding difference deserves special attention.
A 12-rebound advantage is significant in a game decided by eight points.
New York’s offensive rebounding advantage was six boards, while its defensive rebounding advantage was also six.
That means the Knicks were stronger on both sides of the rebounding equation.
A team can compensate for a poor shooting night by creating extra possessions through offensive rebounds. New York also had the benefit of limiting Boston’s second opportunities by securing defensive rebounds.
The rebounding numbers therefore provide one of the clearest explanations for New York’s victory.
Assists and Offensive Organization
New York finished with 25 assists.
Boston finished with 15.
That is a 10-assist difference.
The Knicks’ higher assist total suggests a more productive passing night overall.
Brunson’s 12 assists were especially notable because they represented nearly half of New York’s total assists.
This is why looking only at points would miss part of the story.
Tatum scored 42 points, but Brunson’s 39 points came alongside 12 assists. New York’s overall passing numbers also exceeded Boston’s by a wide margin.
For readers studying boston celtics vs knicks match player stats, this is an important analytical distinction. A box score should be read as a connected statistical system rather than a collection of isolated numbers.
Turnovers Were Even
Both teams recorded 12 turnovers.
| Statistic | Boston | New York |
| Turnovers | 12 | 12 |
This is one area where neither team had an advantage.
Boston did not lose because it committed more turnovers than New York. Both teams finished with exactly 12.
That makes the other statistical differences more important.
If turnovers had been heavily tilted toward one team, possession management could have been a central explanation. Instead, the identical turnover total points attention toward shooting, rebounding, assists, and quarter-by-quarter scoring.
Steals and Blocks
Boston recorded eight steals compared with five for New York.
That gave Boston a three-steal advantage.
The Celtics also recorded two blocks, while New York recorded two.
| Defensive Statistic | Boston | New York |
| Steals | 8 | 5 |
| Blocks | 2 | 2 |
Boston therefore had the advantage in steals, while blocks were even.
Again, this illustrates why the final result cannot be explained by one defensive category.
Boston created more steals, but New York compensated through stronger rebounding, more assists, higher field-goal efficiency, and greater shot volume.
A Closer Look at the Second Half
The third quarter was the turning point.
Boston entered halftime with an 11-point lead.
Then New York scored 37 points in the third quarter.
Boston scored only 23.
The Knicks therefore gained 14 points on Boston during those 12 minutes.
That was enough to turn the game around.
The fourth quarter continued to favor New York, although the difference was smaller.
New York scored 33.
Boston scored 28.
The Knicks therefore added another five points to their advantage in the final period.
The second-half scoring was:
| Team | Q3 | Q4 | Second-Half Total |
| Boston | 23 | 28 | 51 |
| New York | 37 | 33 | 70 |
New York outscored Boston 70 to 51 after halftime.
That 19-point second-half difference is arguably the most important team-level number in the game.
Why the Knicks Won Despite Tatum’s 42 Points
Boston had the game’s top scorer.
Boston also made more three-pointers.
Boston made more free throws.
Boston recorded more steals.
Yet New York won.
The explanation is that basketball games are decided by cumulative possessions and production across many categories.
New York:
- Shot 54 percent from the field.
- Attempted 92 field goals.
- Grabbed 43 rebounds.
- Collected 13 offensive rebounds.
- Recorded 25 assists.
- Scored 37 points in the third quarter.
- Scored 33 points in the fourth quarter.
Boston:
- Shot 48 percent from the field.
- Attempted 79 field goals.
- Grabbed 31 rebounds.
- Collected seven offensive rebounds.
- Recorded 15 assists.
- Scored 23 points in the third quarter.
- Scored 28 points in the fourth quarter.
The difference was not one isolated statistic.
It was the combined effect of several advantages.
Boston’s Offensive Profile
Boston’s 113 points demonstrate that the Celtics were capable of producing a strong offensive game.
The Celtics scored 39 points in the first quarter, which was their strongest scoring period.
They also shot 18 of 48 from three-point range.
That is a significant number of made threes.
The Celtics’ 19 made free throws were also more than New York’s nine.
However, Boston’s offensive profile was less effective in the second half.
After scoring 39 in the opening quarter, Boston scored only 23 in both the second and third quarters before reaching 28 in the fourth.
The third-quarter slowdown was especially damaging because it coincided with New York’s offensive explosion.
New York’s Offensive Profile
New York finished with 121 points and shot 50 of 92 from the field.
The Knicks’ 54 percent listed field-goal percentage was higher than Boston’s 48 percent.
New York also had 25 assists.
That combination of efficient shooting and strong passing helped the Knicks build a sustainable offensive attack.
Brunson’s 39 points were the headline individual number, but the team’s 25 assists show that the offense was not limited to one scorer.
The Knicks also benefited from 13 offensive rebounds, which created additional opportunities.
This is a useful example of how team statistics can reinforce individual statistics.
Brunson supplied scoring and playmaking.
Towns supplied rebounding.
The broader team performance connected those contributions.
What the Series Score Meant
The victory gave New York a 3 to 1 series lead.
That context is critical.
The game was not simply another regular-season matchup. It was Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
With a 3 to 1 lead, New York moved within one victory of advancing.
Boston therefore faced a very different situation after the game than it had before tipoff.
The supplied records also provide important context:
- Boston regular-season record: 61 to 21
- Boston road record: 33 to 8
- New York regular-season record: 51 to 31
- New York home record: 27 to 14
Boston had the better regular-season record, but New York’s home-court performance was strong.
Game 4 was played at Madison Square Garden, where the attendance was listed at 19,812.
The setting and series situation added importance to the statistical outcome.
Home Court and Game Environment
Madison Square Garden hosted the contest in New York.
The attendance was listed as 19,812.
For playoff basketball, environment can matter, although it should not be treated as a substitute for statistical evidence.
The numbers show that New York performed particularly well after halftime.
The Knicks did not merely protect an early lead. They recovered from an 11-point deficit and then established control.
That makes the comeback more meaningful than simply saying the home team won.
Boston’s 61 to 21 Regular Season Record in Context
Boston entered the postseason with a 61 to 21 record.
That was an excellent regular-season mark.
The Celtics also went 33 to 8 on the road during the regular season.
That means the Game 4 loss cannot reasonably be explained by Boston being unable to play away from home.
Its regular-season road record demonstrated that Boston had been highly effective outside its own arena.
This is another reason Game 4 deserves detailed analysis.
The result was not simply the expected outcome of a weak road team losing in a hostile arena.
Instead, New York overcame a highly successful opponent and did so after falling behind by 11 points.
New York’s 51 to 31 Regular Season Record
New York finished the regular season 51 to 31.
Its home record was 27 to 14.
That was a strong home performance.
The Game 4 result reinforced the importance of that home environment.
The Knicks scored 121 points, produced 43 rebounds, and recorded 25 assists.
Most importantly, they transformed an 11-point halftime deficit into an eight-point victory.
The home record provides background, but the actual Game 4 numbers show how New York earned the win.
Statistical Turning Points From the Game
Several moments or statistical shifts stand out.
First Turning Point: Boston’s Fast Start
Boston scored 39 points in the opening quarter.
That gave the Celtics an 11-point lead.
Second Turning Point: A Level Second Quarter
Both teams scored 23 points in the second quarter.
Boston retained its 11-point advantage.
Third Turning Point: New York’s 37-Point Third
New York exploded for 37 points.
Boston scored 23.
The Knicks gained 14 points in one quarter.
Fourth Turning Point: New York Finishes Strong
New York scored 33 points in the fourth quarter.
Boston scored 28.
That five-point advantage helped secure the eight-point victory.
Fifth Turning Point: The Rebounding Difference
New York finished with 43 rebounds compared with Boston’s 31.
The 12-rebound advantage was larger than the final margin of victory.
Reading the Box Score Correctly
A common mistake in sports analysis is to identify the highest scorer and assume that player had the best overall game.
Game 4 demonstrates why that approach can be misleading.
Tatum scored 42 points, the highest total in the game.
Brunson scored 39 and added 12 assists.
Towns recorded 11 rebounds.
New York’s team statistics also showed advantages in several areas.
The correct approach is to connect individual performance with team outcomes.
Tatum’s scoring kept Boston competitive.
Brunson’s scoring and passing helped New York generate offense.
Towns’ rebounding contributed to a team that controlled the glass.
The final result emerged from all three layers.
The Most Important Statistical Advantages
If the Game 4 box score is reduced to its most meaningful differences, these stand out:
- New York won 121 to 113.
- New York won the rebounding battle 43 to 31.
- New York had 25 assists compared with Boston’s 15.
- New York shot 54 percent from the field compared with Boston’s 48 percent.
- New York attempted 92 field goals compared with Boston’s 79.
- New York scored 37 points in the third quarter compared with Boston’s 23.
- Boston’s Jayson Tatum scored 42 points.
- New York’s Jalen Brunson scored 39 points and recorded 12 assists.
- Karl-Anthony Towns led New York with 11 rebounds.
- Both teams committed 12 turnovers.
These numbers provide a much stronger explanation than the final score alone.
Full Team Statistical Comparison
| Category | Boston Celtics | New York Knicks |
| Final Score | 113 | 121 |
| Field Goals | 38 of 79 | 50 of 92 |
| Field-Goal Percentage | 48% | 54% |
| Three-Pointers | 18 of 48 | 12 of 34 |
| Three-Point Percentage | 38% | 35% |
| Free Throws | 19 of 26 | 9 of 12 |
| Free-Throw Percentage | 73% | 75% |
| Total Rebounds | 31 | 43 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 7 | 13 |
| Defensive Rebounds | 24 | 30 |
| Assists | 15 | 25 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 12 |
| Steals | 8 | 5 |
| Blocks | 2 | 2 |
| Fouls | 16 | 20 |
The table makes the central story clear.
Boston was more productive from three-point range and at the free-throw line in terms of made shots. The Celtics also recorded more steals.
New York, however, had the stronger overall shooting percentage, more field-goal attempts, more rebounds, more offensive rebounds, and substantially more assists.
Those advantages outweighed Boston’s strengths.
What the Numbers Say About Possession Control
Possession control is often difficult to summarize using one box-score statistic.
Here, several numbers point in the same direction.
New York attempted 92 field goals compared with Boston’s 79.
The Knicks also collected 13 offensive rebounds compared with seven for Boston.
That combination matters because offensive rebounds can lead to additional shots.
New York therefore had both more overall field-goal attempts and more offensive rebounds.
Boston’s 12 turnovers were identical to New York’s 12, so turnovers did not explain the difference.
The evidence instead points toward New York creating more opportunities through shooting volume and rebounding.
What the Player Stats Reveal About Team Roles
The leading player statistics also reveal different forms of impact.
Tatum was Boston’s primary scoring force.
Brunson was New York’s scoring and playmaking engine.
Towns was a key contributor on the glass.
These roles complement the team statistics.
Boston’s reliance on scoring is reflected in Tatum’s 42 points and the team’s 18 made three-pointers.
New York’s broader offensive distribution is reflected in its 25 assists.
The rebounding numbers reinforce Towns’ contribution to a Knicks team that won the glass decisively.
Why the Third Quarter Matters So Much
Among all four quarters, the third quarter is the easiest place to identify the game’s turning point.
Boston had scored 62 points through two quarters.
New York had scored 51.
Boston therefore had an 11-point lead.
Then New York scored 37 points in the third.
Boston scored 23.
After three quarters, New York had moved ahead.
That swing changed the psychological and tactical nature of the game.
Boston entered halftime in control.
New York entered the fourth quarter with momentum.
The Knicks then outscored Boston 33 to 28 in the final period.
This sequence shows why quarter-by-quarter statistics can provide more insight than simply reviewing the final score.
A Practical Framework for Analyzing Similar Matchups
Readers who regularly search for player statistics can use a simple process to analyze a basketball game.
Step 1: Start With the Final Score
The score tells you who won and by how much.
Step 2: Check Leading Scorers
This identifies the primary offensive contributors.
Step 3: Examine Shooting Efficiency
Compare field-goal and three-point percentages.
Step 4: Look at Shot Volume
A team may shoot efficiently while taking fewer attempts, or shoot slightly worse while creating many more attempts.
Step 5: Check Rebounding
Total rebounds and offensive rebounds can reveal possession advantages.
Step 6: Review Assists
Assists provide context about passing and offensive creation.
Step 7: Check Turnovers
Turnovers help determine whether possession mistakes influenced the result.
Step 8: Review Quarter Scoring
This identifies when the game changed direction.
Using this method makes the box score far more useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the top scorer in the Boston Celtics vs Knicks game?
Jayson Tatum was Boston’s top scorer with 42 points. Jalen Brunson led New York with 39 points.
How many points did Jalen Brunson score?
Jalen Brunson scored 39 points and also recorded 12 assists.
How many rebounds did Karl-Anthony Towns have?
Karl-Anthony Towns led New York with 11 rebounds.
What was the final score of the game?
The New York Knicks defeated the Boston Celtics 121 to 113.
Who won Game 4 between Boston and New York?
The New York Knicks won Game 4, giving them a 3 to 1 series lead.
Which team had more rebounds?
New York had 43 total rebounds, while Boston had 31, giving the Knicks a 12-rebound advantage.
Conclusion
The boston celtics vs knicks match player stats from Game 4 show why a basketball game cannot be judged by the leading scorer alone.
Jayson Tatum’s 42 points were an outstanding individual scoring performance and kept Boston competitive. Jalen Brunson answered with 39 points and 12 assists, giving New York both scoring and playmaking. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 11 rebounds as the Knicks controlled the glass 43 to 31.
The biggest team-level differences were New York’s 54 percent field-goal shooting, 92 field-goal attempts, 43 rebounds, 25 assists, and dominant second-half scoring. The third quarter was particularly decisive, with New York producing 37 points while Boston scored 23.
Boston had legitimate statistical strengths. The Celtics made 18 three-pointers, shot 38 percent from three, made 19 free throws, and recorded eight steals. Turnovers were even at 12 apiece.
But New York’s advantages were broader. The Knicks created more shots, converted a higher percentage of their field goals, won the rebounding battle, generated more assists, and delivered a major second-half response after trailing by 11 points at halftime.
The final 121 to 113 score therefore reflects more than one player’s performance. It represents a game in which New York’s collective production ultimately overcame Boston’s early offensive burst and Tatum’s 42-point effort.
