After two hard-fought road games in the Midwest, the Boston Celtics are back at TD Garden, and they’re not easing into their return. Tuesday night brings a familiar foe - the New York Knicks - in a matchup that always carries a little extra weight, no matter the standings.
These two teams already crossed paths earlier this season in what was a frustrating night for Boston. That game, played at Madison Square Garden, was a playoff rematch that quickly turned sour for the Celtics thanks to a second-quarter collapse.
Boston gave up a staggering 42 points in that frame alone - the kind of defensive lapse that can undo an entire night’s work. The Knicks didn’t score more than 23 in any other quarter, but that one burst was enough to hand the Celtics a 105-95 loss and a bitter taste that’s lingered since.
Now, with the series shifting to Boston, the Celtics have a chance to even the score - and they’re getting some much-needed reinforcements just in time.
Celtics Welcome Back Two Key Starters
The team’s latest injury report brings good news: both Neemias Queta and Derrick White are available to play against New York. That’s a significant boost for a Celtics squad that’s been grinding through a stretch of games without key contributors.
Queta sat out Sunday’s narrow 117-115 win over the Cavaliers as part of injury management for a left ankle sprain. Boston played it safe with the big man, especially after he logged 29 minutes in a tough loss to the Timberwolves the night before. That cautious approach seems to have paid off - Queta is back in the lineup and ready to anchor the middle again.
This isn’t Queta’s first ankle issue of the season. He initially tweaked it during a win over the Orlando Magic and missed the following game against the Pistons. But when healthy, the fifth-year center has proven to be a reliable presence in the paint, giving Boston size, rim protection, and a physical edge that’s tough to replace.
Derrick White also returns after missing the Cleveland game with a right calf contusion. That win might’ve been one of Boston’s grittiest efforts of the season - no Queta, no White, and a delayed flight that had the team landing in Cleveland around 2 a.m.
Still, the Celtics found a way to gut out a road victory against one of the East’s most talented teams, on the second night of a back-to-back, no less. That kind of resilience says a lot about the depth and mentality of this group.
With Queta and White back in the fold, Boston is set to roll out its full starting lineup again - a welcome sight as they look to settle the score with the Knicks. Both players were initially listed as probable, which suggested their return was likely, but now it’s official. The timing couldn’t be better.
Tatum Still Out, But Progressing
The lone name still on the Celtics’ injury report is Jayson Tatum, who continues to recover from a torn Achilles tendon. There’s no update on his timeline just yet, but his absence remains a key storyline as Boston navigates this early part of the season. Even so, the Celtics have found ways to stay competitive, leaning on their depth and defensive identity to keep pace in a crowded Eastern Conference.
As the Knicks come to town, the Celtics are healthier, rested, and back on their home floor. That second-quarter meltdown at the Garden in New York still stings, but now they’ve got a chance to respond - with a full lineup and a little extra motivation. Expect a physical, high-energy battle between two teams that know each other well and don’t shy away from the spotlight.