Knicks Face Celtics in Sunday Showdown, But Injuries Loom Large
The New York Knicks are heading into a high-stakes Super Bowl Sunday clash against the Boston Celtics, but they may be doing it shorthanded - and against one of the hottest teams in the league.
After an ugly 118-80 loss to the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons on Friday, the Knicks are looking to bounce back and regain the rhythm that carried them through an eight-game win streak. But this is no easy task. Sunday’s matchup in Boston marks their third game in a four-game road stretch, and the Celtics aren’t exactly rolling out the red carpet.
Boston comes in red-hot, riding a five-game win streak and fresh off a 114-93 win over the Miami Heat. The Celtics are in the middle of a three-game homestand and playing with the kind of confidence that makes them a tough out on their home floor.
This will be the third meeting between the Knicks and Celtics this season, with the series currently tied at one apiece. New York took the early edge with a 105-95 win back in the second game of the season, but Boston answered with a 123-117 victory on December 2. The final regular-season meeting between the two comes on April 9, but Sunday’s game has the feel of a tone-setter - especially with both teams jostling for playoff positioning in a tightly contested Eastern Conference.
Injury Report: Knicks Dealing With Key Absences
The Knicks could be without three key starters - Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart - all of whom are listed as questionable heading into Sunday.
Towns is dealing with a right eye laceration, an injury he picked up during the Knicks’ February 4 matchup against the Denver Nuggets. He logged 31 minutes in that game and was seen with a bandage over his eye by the end.
Towns has been a steady presence this season, averaging 19.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists over 48 games. His ability to stretch the floor and bang down low has been a critical piece of the Knicks' frontcourt identity.
Anunoby, meanwhile, is managing soreness in his right toe. He played a marathon 48 minutes in a double-overtime battle against Denver before sitting out the loss to Detroit. In 41 games this season, he’s averaging 16.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists - and his two-way impact on the wing has been one of New York’s most consistent assets.
Hart, who’s nursing right ankle soreness, did suit up against the Pistons, logging 25 minutes and posting five points, six rebounds, and two assists. While not a high-volume scorer, Hart brings grit, hustle, and versatility - the kind of glue-guy presence that doesn’t always show up in the box score but is felt on the floor.
In addition to those three, the Knicks are also without Miles McBride, who’s recovering from pelvic core muscle surgery and isn’t expected back until the playoffs. Rookie Dillon Jones remains out as well, currently on a G-League two-way assignment.
Celtics Injury Report: Tatum Still Sidelined, Hauser Out
The Celtics have injury concerns of their own, though they’ve been managing just fine in the win column.
Sam Hauser is out with low back spasms. He missed Boston’s February 4 game against Houston, returned for the February 6 win over Miami, but remains sidelined for Sunday. In 50 games this season, Hauser has provided solid shooting off the bench, averaging nine points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while knocking down 38% of his looks from deep.
The biggest long-term absence remains Jayson Tatum, who’s still recovering from offseason surgery to repair his right Achilles. Tatum suffered the injury in last year’s Eastern Conference semifinals, and while the Celtics haven’t ruled him out for the season, there’s still no clear timeline for his return.
Max Shulga also remains out on a G-League two-way deal.
What to Watch
This game is going to be a test of depth, resilience, and execution. If Towns and Anunoby remain sidelined, the Knicks will need big minutes from their supporting cast - and potentially another heavy workload for Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson.
The Celtics, even without Tatum, have been rolling thanks to balanced scoring and strong defensive play. Jaylen Brown has stepped up, and Boston’s bench has been quietly effective.
For New York, the key will be limiting turnovers and finding ways to generate offense against one of the league’s stingiest defenses. For Boston, it’s about maintaining pace and continuing to exploit mismatches - especially if the Knicks are missing key defenders.
With both teams eyeing playoff seeding and pride on the line in a tied season series, expect a playoff-like atmosphere - even if it’s early February.