Celtics’ Struggles Against Knicks
BOSTON — The Boston Celtics found themselves at a crucial moment early in the fourth quarter during a frustrating matchup against the New York Knicks. Baylor Scheierman chased down a long rebound, raced to the left corner, and sank a 3-pointer, igniting a brief cheer from the TD Garden crowd as he celebrated down the court.
Another Setback
However, the excitement quickly faded. Although the Celtics managed to stop the Knicks, they faced yet another hurdle shortly after. Jaylen Brown had his ball stolen by Jose Alvarado, who promptly scored a layup, contributing to the Celtics’ disappointing 111-89 loss.
Coach’s Perspective
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged the team’s subpar performance: “We’ve played great basketball for a long time during this stretch and have shown the physicality and execution required to compete against top teams. Tonight wasn’t our best.”
Finding Their Rhythm
Despite the loss, the Celtics remained calm. Brown expressed confidence that they managed key aspects of the game, noting their dominance on the boards with twice as many offensive rebounds as the Knicks and committing only 10 turnovers. He emphasized the need to regain their rhythm after acquiring Nikola Vučević before the trade deadline, especially given their shooting struggles at just 37 percent from the field and 17.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Adjusting the Lineup
The trade for Vučević has led to adjustments in the Celtics’ rotation. Payton Pritchard has come off the bench since the team traded Anfernee Simons to the Bulls. Mazzulla has also opted for a larger lineup, pairing Neemias Queta and Luka Garza, despite their limited minutes together earlier this season.
Learning from Changes
Derrick White noted the need for the team to adapt to new defensive strategies with the addition of Vučević. He explained that the challenge lies in finding a balance between reviewing film and allowing players the freedom to react instinctively during games.
Looking Ahead
Before the game, Brown emphasized the significance of the matchup with the Knicks and the role of the home crowd. Post-game, he maintained a level-headed approach, reflecting on the need for the team to improve their scoring, stating, “Scoring 89 points isn’t going to cut it. We need to learn how to put the ball in the basket.”
