Karl-Anthony Towns had the points, but Mitchell Robinson got the moment.
In Boston, the former Knicks big man made his presence felt against his old team, sliding over on defense and meeting Towns at the rim after Derrick White slowed the drive near the top of the key. Robinson’s block sent Towns to the floor and gave Knicks and Celtics fans one of the night’s sharpest sequences.
That came in a game where the Knicks were already acknowledging Robinson’s place in their championship run. New York handed out NBA championship rings ahead of the matchup, a reminder of the depth Robinson gave the team during its 2025-26 title march. The absence of that kind of depth had been cited as a fatal flaw that could threaten their championship chances.
Mitchell Robinson ERASES Karl-Anthony Towns' shot in the paint 🚫
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 24, 2026
pic.twitter.com/xpywlRY4yL
Towns finished as New York’s leading scorer with 22 points as the clock ran down on the Knicks’ 107-103 loss. Robinson, starting for Boston, posted four points, four rebounds and one block in a little more than 20 minutes.
Jayson Tatum powered the Celtics with 36 points in a return to MVP form in Beantown. Paul George, Neemias Queta and Derrick White also reached double figures for Boston.
For New York, OG Anunoby scored 20 points, Jalen Brunson added 19 and Miles McBride finished with 20.
The Knicks entered the night coming off a championship that signaled a new place at the top of the NBA and a new wave of fans. Their game against the 76ers also helped set new opening viewership records, along with Spurs-Thunder.
In Other News...
Knicks Bring Back A Familiar Name For A Young Team Need
Westchesters roster shuffle added a familiar guard to the Knicks broader development picture, with the G League affiliate trading its second-round pick in the G League Draft to the Austin Spurs for the rights to Elfrid Payton. For a young group that needs both steadiness and structure, the move gives Westchester an experienced point guard presence while New York continues building out a pipeline meant to support the varsity club as much as the affiliate.
The Knicks also made a pair of other roster moves that fit the same developmental theme, waiving Kevin McCullar Jr. to sign Dalton Knecht to a two-way contract and bringing back Dink Pate. Between the veteran touch in Payton and the upside attached to the younger pieces, Westchester looks built to serve as a useful proving ground, even if the exact rotation picture is still taking shape. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Just Exposed A Knicks Problem Fans Know Too Well
The Knicks opened their season with back-to-back losses to the 76ers and Celtics, and the early concern is less about one bad night than a familiar pattern. Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby have each had solid moments, but the offense has been undone at times by careless turnovers and a general lack of urgency that has made it hard to settle into a rhythm.
Mikal Bridges quiet start has only added to the unease, because New York needs more from him if the attack is going to keep pace with top Eastern Conference teams. Early-season slippage can be corrected, but the Knicks already look like a club trying to solve the same problem fans have seen before: enough talent to compete, not enough consistent sharpness to turn that into wins. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Face A Tough McBride Decision They May Not Avoid
The Knicks roster picture keeps circling back to the same problem: the frontcourt needs more help, and the financial math does not leave much room to go shopping without sending out a useful piece. With the team still looking for a better answer at backup center, the discussion has turned to the sort of move that hurts in the short term but may be unavoidable if the right big becomes available.
Miles McBride has emerged as the likeliest name to watch because he is the one trade-eligible non-starter on the roster with real standalone value. That makes him both a valuable asset and a difficult decision, since dealing him would address one need while creating another, and the Knicks have to weigh whether strengthening the center rotation is worth parting with one of their more dependable guards. [Read more 🡒]