The Celtics beat the Knicks 107-103 on Friday night at TD Garden, and the story of the night was the man wearing green who looked very much like himself again. Jayson Tatum scored 36 points to hand Boston its first win of the season and leave the defending NBA champions still searching for theirs.

Tatum, back at full fitness after missing most of last season with a ruptured Achilles, delivered the kind of complete performance that once made him the face of the franchise. According to AFP, via the Daily Tribune, he shot 14-of-26 from the field, including three three-pointers, and added nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Nine of his points came in the fourth quarter, just when New York was threatening to steal the game.

Tatum takes over late as the Knicks rally falls short

The Knicks, who had trailed by as many as 12 points early in the final frame, closed to within one point in the closing minutes. That was when Tatum answered. He hit two key baskets in the final 1:24 to build a five-point lead, including a three-pointer with 30.3 seconds remaining, according to Yahoo Sports via BVM Sports.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was full of praise afterwards. “That was a really well-balanced game from JT on both ends, and you were able to kind of see his greatness,” Mazzulla said after the home opener, as reported by AFP.

Tatum received scoring support from new signing Paul George and Neemias Queta, who both finished with 15 points apiece. The balance mattered: Boston did not need a one-man show, even if Tatum provided the closing act.

Knicks fall to 0-2 in a place no defending champion wants to be

The Knicks were led by 22 points from Karl-Anthony Towns, with OG Anunoby and Miles McBride scoring 20 each. Knicks talisman Jalen Brunson chipped in with 19. It was not enough, and the defeat carried an uncomfortable piece of history with it.

With the loss, the Knicks became the first defending NBA champions to begin the next season 0-2 since the Dallas Mavericks started 0-3 to tip off the 2011-12 campaign, according to Yahoo Sports via BVM Sports. Two games is a small sample, but for a team carrying a championship banner, it is not the start anyone in New York had in mind.

Boston, meanwhile, bounced back from an opening-day loss to Detroit to earn its first win of the campaign. The Celtics looked sharper, deeper and, crucially, calmer when the game tightened up late.

Around the NBA: Friday night’s other results

Friday was a packed night across the league, with 12 games on the schedule. According to LaPresse’s roundup of the night, the results included:

• Chicago Bulls 132, Milwaukee Bucks 125
• Atlanta Hawks 128, Charlotte Hornets 81
• Minnesota Timberwolves 115, Orlando Magic 93
• Dallas Mavericks 121, Indiana Pacers 105
• Detroit Pistons 128, Miami Heat 111
• Houston Rockets 114, San Antonio Spurs 110
• Utah Jazz 120, New Orleans Pelicans 119
• Memphis Grizzlies 111, Golden State Warriors 108
• Los Angeles Lakers 125, LA Clippers 117
• Portland Trail Blazers 128, Sacramento Kings 120
• Toronto Raptors 112, Washington Wizards 102

Elsewhere on Friday, the San Antonio Spurs fell to 0-2 after losing a hard-fought Texas derby to the Houston Rockets, while the Minnesota Timberwolves stayed unbeaten with their win in Orlando. In Toronto, Scottie Barnes collected 28 points and 14 rebounds and RJ Barrett added 23 as the Raptors beat the Wizards 112-102, according to Reuters.

What this win means for Boston

For Boston, this was more than a first win. It was evidence that the version of Tatum who missed most of last season is back, and that the supporting cast around him can carry its share of the load. George and Queta scoring 15 each is exactly the kind of secondary production championship-contending teams need on nights when the star draws the defense.

For New York, the questions are different. The Knicks have the talent — Towns, Brunson, Anunoby and McBride all scored at least 19 — but two straight losses to open a title defense will sharpen the scrutiny. The champions do not need to panic in October, but they do need a win, and soon.

The Celtics will look to build on this home-opener win when their schedule continues, while the Knicks head back to New York knowing the next one matters more than it should this early in the season.

For more from the opening week of the NBA season, read our earlier coverage: NBA Opening Day 2026 results.

Frequently asked questions

Who won the Celtics vs Knicks game on Friday?

The Celtics beat the Knicks 107-103 at TD Garden in Boston, earning their first win of the season.

How many points did Jayson Tatum score against the Knicks?

Jayson Tatum scored 36 points on 14-of-26 shooting, adding nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals.

Why is the Knicks’ 0-2 start historic?

The Knicks are the first defending NBA champions to begin a season 0-2 since the Dallas Mavericks started 0-3 in 2011-12, according to Yahoo Sports.

What is next for the Celtics and Knicks?

Both teams continue their early-season schedules this week, with Boston looking to build on its home-opener win and New York hunting for its first victory of the campaign.

Sources: AFP via the Daily Tribune (Tatum lifts Celtics past NBA champs, https://tribune.net.ph/2026/10/24/tatum-lifts-celtics-past-nba-champs); Yahoo Sports via BVM Sports (Knicks become first defending NBA champions to begin season 0-2 in 15 years, https://bvmsports.com/2026/10/23/knicks-become-first-defending-nba-champions-to-begin-season-0-2-in-15-years-lose-107-103-to-celtics/); LaPresse (NBA night results, October 24, https://lapresse.us/sports/2026/10/24/nba-houston-win-away-at-san-antonio-victories-for-the-celtics-and-lakers/); Reuters (Raptors past Wizards, https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/scottie-barnes-rj-barrett-fuel-raptors-past-wizards–flm-2026-10-24/).