The Boston Celtics are starting to hit their stride-and they’re doing it against real competition. Heading into their Tuesday night showdown with the New York Knicks, Boston had just wrapped up a four-game stretch against playoff-caliber teams from last season. They came out of that gauntlet with a 3-1 record, a strong sign for a team still finding its identity after a busy offseason.
But early on at Madison Square Garden, it looked like the Knicks might run away with this one. New York came out hot, building a double-digit lead before the Celtics had time to settle in. That’s when Jaylen Brown decided enough was enough.
Without Jayson Tatum in the lineup, the Celtics needed a leader-and Brown stepped up in a big way. His energy on both ends of the court changed the entire tone of the game.
The defining moment came in the second quarter, with Boston clawing back from a 14-point hole. Brown grabbed a rebound, pushed the pace in transition, and exploded down the lane for a thunderous two-handed dunk right over Jordan Clarkson.
It wasn’t just a highlight-it was a statement. That bucket gave the Celtics their first lead of the night and ignited a run that flipped the game on its head.
From that point on, Boston looked like the team in control. The Celtics, now holding a double-digit lead of their own, flipped the script on a Knicks squad that ended their playoff run last season.
And you could tell-this one meant a little more. The energy, the execution, the urgency-it all had that extra edge.
Brown has been the engine behind it all. At the time of writing, he’s poured in 29 points, leading all scorers and carrying the offensive load almost single-handedly.
That’s no small task when your co-star is sidelined and the rest of the roster is still adjusting to new roles. Only one other Celtics player has cracked double figures, so if Boston wants to close this one out, someone else will need to step up.
But make no mistake-Brown is setting the tone.
The Celtics came into the night with an 11-9 record. Not flashy, but considering the roster shakeup they went through over the summer, it’s a solid foundation.
More importantly, they’re trending in the right direction. The chemistry is starting to build, the defense is tightening up, and with Brown playing like this, they’re a tough out for anyone.
A win over the Knicks wouldn’t just be another notch in the standings-it would be a statement that this team is finding its groove, even without its full arsenal. And if Brown keeps playing at this level, the Celtics might just be getting started.