The Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks, two of the unique franchises from when the NBA received its begin 75 seasons in the past, tipped off the 2021-22 season tonight. The present we received tonight undoubtedly lived as much as all of the franchise historical past on show. Jaylen Brown (46 factors, 9 rebounds and 6 assists) had transcendent first and fourth quarters, however it wasn’t sufficient to topple the Knicks in a 138-134 loss that went to double OT. Julius Randle gave the Celtics loads of work himself, placing up a sensational 35 factors, 8 rebounds and 9 assists in a shedding effort.
Tonight was not Jayson Tatum’s evening. He completed with 20 factors and 11 rebounds, however that got here on 7-30 taking pictures (23%). That’s why the Celtics have multiple Jay. Brown scored 14 factors within the opening minutes of the sport (and ultimately 25 factors in 12 minutes), exhibiting no rust after lacking the final 3 preseason video games and a handful of practices after contracting COVID-19. Brown gave the Knicks inside buckets, exterior, buckets, and-ones and freethrows. Any means they need it, he gave it to them.
Robert Williams performed 45 minutes, and when he was on the courtroom, he performed exceptionally on each ends, beginning and ending spectacular fastbreaks. He completed with 16 factors, 10 rebounds and 6 blocks (and just one foul). Romeo Langford confirmed that his preseason and Summer season League confidence was not a fluke, burying shot after shot off the Celtics’ bench.
Boston had a troublesome time containing Julius Randle. He was unimaginable, particularly within the first half when he mainly made up the benefit that Jaylen Brown created on his personal. He led a 12-0 Knicks run that put New York again within the sport after the Celtics pulled away. Randle’s scoring was a giant emphasis, however after he received it going, he created a ton of offense for his teammates. Kemba Walker (10-8-3) by no means actually received it moving into his debut for the Knicks, however Evan Fournier proved why he was an early goal for the Knicks, backing up Randle with 32 factors.
The Celtics rode Brown’s early scoring to a giant lead, however struggled from halfway via the second quarter into the fourth quarter. The Knicks began percolating within the third, opening up a ton of alternatives in fastbreak conditions. The younger guys in New York – Obi Toppin and RJ Barrett – have been an enormous spark, placing in 14 and 19 factors, respectively.
The Knicks received their largest lead of the evening halfway via the fourth, and the Celtics mainly handed them that with sloppy turnovers. Marcus Good, who was poised for many of the evening, did some good issues to jolt the offense earlier than doing a little very dangerous issues to harm the offense and the protection.
All appeared misplaced for the Celtics who have been down 8 late within the sport. Quick-forward to beneath 30 seconds left, Jaylen Brown hit a brand 3-pointer over Evan Fournier, adopted by some ill-advised Knicks protection resulting in Marcus Good (15-8-6) draining a 3-pointer as time expired to ship the sport to OT.
Time beyond regulation was WILD, beginning with a shootout that featured three Evan Fournier 3-pointers and a bunch of Celtics 3-pointers to match earlier than Tatum got here up quick on the buzzer, sending the Celtics and the Knicks to double additional time.
Double additional time was a mainly “our group is extra drained than yours and right here’s the proof.” An entire host of blown layup/dunks was the theme of the early going. Sadly, Fournier and Randle discovered their legs late whereas the Celtics didn’t, and Boston begins the season 0-1.
Boston will journey again dwelling for the group’s dwelling debut in opposition to the Toronto Raptors on Friday at 7:30 p.m. EST.
