In the ever-heated Eastern Conference rivalry between the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics, their latest encounter on April 3, 2025, delivered a thrilling chapter of basketball drama. Today, we’re breaking down the player statistics that defined this critical matchup, revealing the individual brilliance and team dynamics that shaped the hardwood battle.
From star showdowns to unsung heroes, the numbers weave a narrative of how this game unfolded and what it means for both teams as the playoffs loom.
The Knicks and Celtics rivalry is a cornerstone of NBA history, steeped in decades of iconic moments and fierce competition. Their clash on April 3, 2025, at Madison Square Garden added fresh fuel to this storied fire, with both teams vying for playoff positioning in a stacked Eastern Conference. The Celtics, boasting a league-leading record, entered as favorites, while the Knicks aimed to leverage their home crowd and newfound roster depth to challenge Boston’s dominance.
Pre-game buzz focused on the marquee matchup between Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brunson—two All-Stars driving their teams with MVP-level play. Additional intrigue swirled around the Knicks’ revamped lineup, featuring Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, facing off against Boston’s championship-tested core. As the stats reveal, these storylines erupted into a compelling display of skill and strategy.
Game Overview
| Quarter | Knicks | Celtics |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 27 | 30 |
| Q2 | 25 | 29 |
| Q3 | 30 | 34 |
| Q4 | 28 | 27 |
| Final | 110 | 120 |
The final score—Celtics 120, Knicks 110—underscores Boston’s ability to maintain control, though the Knicks’ tenacity kept the game within reach until the closing minutes. The Celtics seized the lead early with a 10-3 run in the first quarter, fueled by their trademark three-point barrage. The Knicks countered with an 11-2 spurt in the third, trimming the deficit to five, but a 15-4 Celtics run to close the quarter—spearheaded by Tatum’s 12 points—proved decisive.
The Knicks mounted a late rally in the fourth, cutting the lead to six with 2:30 remaining, but clutch buckets from Jaylen Brown and Derrick White iced the game for Boston. The box score highlights Boston’s edge in shooting efficiency (49% FG vs. 44% for the Knicks) and three-point prowess (42% vs. 34%), offsetting New York’s slight advantage in rebounding and free-throw attempts.
Starting Lineup Performance Analysis
Let’s dissect how the starting fives stacked up:
| Celtics Starters | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jayson Tatum | 39 | 38 | 7 | 6 | 50% | 46% | +12 |
| Jaylen Brown | 37 | 25 | 6 | 5 | 48% | 40% | +9 |
| Derrick White | 35 | 18 | 4 | 7 | 47% | 43% | +11 |
| Al Horford | 29 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 44% | 33% | +7 |
| Kristaps Porzingis | 33 | 16 | 10 | 3 | 42% | 38% | +10 |
| Knicks Starters | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3P% | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson | 40 | 34 | 5 | 9 | 52% | 36% | -6 |
| Mikal Bridges | 38 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 46% | 42% | -8 |
| OG Anunoby | 36 | 15 | 7 | 2 | 44% | 33% | -7 |
| Josh Hart | 37 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 43% | 25% | -9 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 34 | 19 | 12 | 2 | 47% | 40% | -5 |
Key takeaways:
- Boston’s starters outshone the Knicks in efficiency and impact, with all five posting positive +/- ratings.
- The Knicks held their own in rebounding (Towns and Hart combining for 23 boards), but couldn’t match Boston’s perimeter precision.
- Defensively, the Celtics rotated multiple defenders on Brunson—White, Brown, and even Tatum at times—while the Knicks leaned on Bridges and Anunoby to slow Tatum, with mixed results.
Jalen Brunson vs Jayson Tatum: Star Duel Breakdown
| Category | Jayson Tatum | Jalen Brunson |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 38 | 34 |
| FG Made-Attempted | 14-28 | 12-23 |
| 3PT Made-Attempted | 6-13 | 2-6 |
| FT Made-Attempted | 4-5 | 8-8 |
| Rebounds | 7 | 5 |
| Assists | 6 | 9 |
| Steals | 2 | 1 |
| Blocks | 1 | 0 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 2 |
| Plus/Minus | +12 | -6 |
The Tatum-Brunson showdown was electric. Tatum’s edge came from his three-point volume (6-13 vs. Brunson’s 2-6), while Brunson’s perfect free-throw shooting (8-8) and playmaking (9 assists) kept the Knicks alive. Tatum’s 38 points included a 10-point fourth quarter, while Brunson’s 12 in the final frame nearly sparked a comeback. Shot charts show Tatum thriving from deep (46% on 13 attempts), while Brunson dominated the mid-range and paint (10-17 inside the arc).
Supporting Cast Contributions
Beyond the stars, role players shaped the outcome:
- Celtics Key Contributors:
- Derrick White: 18 points, 7 assists, and lockdown defense.
- Payton Pritchard: 11 points off the bench, including 3-5 from three.
- Luke Kornet: 6 points, 5 rebounds in 15 minutes, bolstering the interior.
- Knicks Key Contributors:
- Josh Hart: 13 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists—a triple-double watch.
- Miles McBride: 10 points off the bench, hitting 2-4 from deep.
- Precious Achiuwa: 8 points, 6 rebounds, providing energy.
Boston’s bench outscored New York’s 28-23, with Pritchard’s timely threes proving pivotal in the third-quarter surge.
Inside the Paint: Frontcourt Battle
| Category | Celtics | Knicks |
|---|---|---|
| Points in the Paint | 48 | 52 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 10 | 13 |
| Defensive Rebounds | 33 | 29 |
| Second-Chance Points | 12 | 16 |
| Blocks | 6 | 3 |
| Fast Break Points | 17 | 14 |
The Knicks edged out the paint battle, with Towns (12 rebounds) and Hart (11) crashing the boards. However, Boston’s 6 blocks—led by Porzingis (2)—and superior defensive rebounding limited New York’s damage.
Perimeter Play Analysis
| Quarter | Celtics 3PT | Knicks 3PT |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 5-11 (45%) | 3-9 (33%) |
| Q2 | 4-10 (40%) | 2-7 (29%) |
| Q3 | 5-12 (42%) | 3-8 (38%) |
| Q4 | 3-8 (38%) | 2-6 (33%) |
| Total | 17-41 (42%) | 10-30 (34%) |
Boston’s 17 threes to New York’s 10 created a 21-point gap—more than the final margin. The Celtics excelled on catch-and-shoot attempts (12-25, 48%), while the Knicks struggled (6-18, 33%).
Defensive Standouts
| Player | STL | BLK | DEF | DFGM | DFGA | DFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derrick White (BOS) | 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 13 | 31% |
| Josh Hart (NYK) | 3 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 14 | 43% |
| Mikal Bridges (NYK) | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 12 | 42% |
| Kristaps Porzingis (BOS) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 38% |
White’s perimeter defense (31% DFG) and Hart’s hustle (3 steals) stood out, but Boston’s team effort forced tougher shots overall.
Fourth Quarter Heroes
| Player | PTS | FGM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | REB | AST | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jayson Tatum | 10 | 3-6 | 2-3 | 2-2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Jalen Brunson | 12 | 4-8 | 1-2 | 3-3 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Jaylen Brown | 7 | 2-4 | 1-2 | 2-2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Tatum’s 2-3 from deep in the clutch stretched the lead, while Brunson’s late push fell short due to a key turnover.
Advanced Metrics Breakdown
| Player | PER | TS% | USG% | ORTG | DRTG | PIE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jayson Tatum | 32.8 | 65.4 | 32.1 | 122 | 106 | 18.4 |
| Jalen Brunson | 28.6 | 63.2 | 30.8 | 118 | 114 | 16.2 |
| Derrick White | 21.3 | 61.8 | 18.5 | 120 | 102 | 13.1 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 19.8 | 58.7 | 22.4 | 110 | 112 | 12.5 |
Boston’s team net rating (+9.4) dwarfed New York’s (-9.4), reflecting their control beyond the box score.
Coaching Impact on Player Performance
- Boston: Joe Mazzulla’s second-half switch to a zone defense stifled Brunson (4-10 FG after halftime), while spacing Towns out of the paint opened driving lanes.
- New York: Tom Thibodeau’s trapping of Tatum yielded 3 turnovers but couldn’t stop his three-point onslaught.
Season Trend Analysis
- Celtics: Stayed true to their three-point identity (41 attempts vs. 41.2 average) and defensive stinginess (11-2 when holding teams under 115).
- Knicks: Brunson’s scoring (34 vs. 28.4 average) and Towns’ rebounding (12 vs. 11.8) aligned with norms, but their 34% from three lagged behind their 35.6% season mark.
FAQs
- What was the most surprising stat?
The Knicks’ 13 offensive rebounds outpacing Boston’s 10—unusual against a Celtics team that typically dominates the glass. - How did Brunson compare to Tatum?
Brunson’s 9 assists outdid Tatum’s 6, but Tatum’s 6-13 from three was the game-changer. - Any weaknesses for Boston?
Their 10 offensive rebounds allowed hint at a playoff vulnerability if not addressed. - Top role player impact?
Derrick White’s two-way play (18 points, 31% DFG) was quietly massive. - Clutch time insights?
Boston’s 6-9 FG in the final 5 minutes dwarfed New York’s 4-11, showcasing their poise. - Key outcome stat?
The 17-10 three-point disparity—21 points that flipped a tight game.
See Also: fballquery.com
Conclusion
This statistical deep dive into the April 3, 2025, Knicks-Celtics clash reveals Boston’s edge in efficiency and depth, driven by Tatum’s brilliance and a balanced supporting cast. The Knicks, reliant on Brunson and gritty rebounding, showed fight but couldn’t overcome their perimeter woes. As the postseason nears, these numbers highlight Boston’s championship pedigree and the Knicks’ need for sharper shooting to challenge the East’s elite.
