This is why the Boston Celtics are the defending champions. Even with two starters sidelined, they still make most opponents look and feel a tier below.
Saturday night at Madison Square Garden was no different.
Aside from a brief third-quarter surge, the Knicks never looked the part of a true title contender. Instead, they suffered their second blowout loss to the Celtics this season — this time, a 131-104 drubbing on their home floor.
Much has changed since the Knicks were overwhelmed in Boston on opening night, but one thing hasn’t: They are really good, but not great.
That distinction — great — belongs to the NBA’s true title contenders, a category that remains exclusive. By that measure, there are only three teams who have earned that label:
• Boston just proved, once again, why it’s in that class.
• Cleveland may still need postseason validation, but as the East’s No. 1 seed, it belongs in the conversation.
• Oklahoma City boasts the league’s best record and a roster that keeps scouts up at night.
The Knicks? They’re the best of the rest — ahead of the other would-be contenders, yet still lacking the firepower to hang with the NBA’s elite.
That much was clear against the Celtics, who pulled away early and never looked back.
TATUM TAKES OVER
Jayson Tatum has been kryptonite for the Knicks this season, and with OG Anunoby missing his third straight game due to a foot injury, Mikal Bridges was tasked with slowing him down.
It didn’t go well.
Tatum torched the Knicks for 40 points in 37 minutes, checking out for good with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. He drained seven 3s on 14 attempts and went 13-of-26 from the field in his latest Garden masterpiece — just months after lighting the Knicks up for 37 points and 10 assists on 8-of-11 shooting from deep on opening night.
And the Celtics weren’t even at full strength. They were missing All-NBA defender Jrue Holiday and former Knicks lottery pick Kristaps Porziņģis.
It didn’t matter.
BRUNSON BATTLES, BUT HELP IS SCARCE
Jalen Brunson did all he could to keep the Knicks afloat, scoring a team-high 36 points on 10-of-18 shooting while going a perfect 13-of-13 from the foul line.
Karl-Anthony Towns, playing through right knee soreness, finished with just nine points and nine rebounds. Precious Achiuwa, starting in place of Anunoby, struggled with only three points and four boards — and was on the receiving end of a pair of Tatum highlights, including a poster dunk and a vicious step-back three.
Meanwhile, Boston’s depth shined.
Payton Pritchard came off the bench to score 25 points, drilling 6-of-8 from deep. Backup big Neemias Queta added 11 points and eight rebounds in just 26 minutes.
With 5:29 left, Tom Thibodeau emptied his bench. The game was over.
A GAP TOO LARGE TO IGNORE
The Knicks wanted to forget their season-opening blowout in Boston. After this one, they might burn the tape again.
Because the film will show what the sold-out crowd at MSG saw in real time:
The Knicks are a step behind the Celtics — and all roads to a championship still run through Boston.