How did the Knicks beat the Celtics at MSG?

Knicks extend home run, knock off Celtics

The New York Knicks beat the Boston Celtics 112-106 at Madison Square Garden, a result that further shapes the Knicks’ playoff positioning in the final stretch of the regular season.

Key game storyline

Jayson Tatum was in action at MSG for the first time since his Achilles injury from last May’s Eastern Conference Semifinals, making the matchup especially notable for both fan bases. Despite that, the Celtics couldn’t convert their chances late enough to close the game after the Knicks executed in crunch time.

The most direct influence mentioned in the summaries is Josh Hart’s impact: he delivered a strong scoring night and was credited with clutch play when the game tightened. Jalen Brunson also produced on offense, including playmaking (assists) that helped keep Boston’s defense from controlling the pace.

Why it matters

• The Knicks’ win extends their home momentum and reinforces their ability to win key games against top-tier opponents.
• With only a small number of games remaining, victories like this directly affect seed positioning and first-round matchups.
• Tatum’s return adds another layer of significance: New York proved it could handle a full-capacity star in a high-pressure setting.

What to watch next

Given the emphasis on playoff readiness and seeding, the follow-on coverage is likely to focus on the Knicks’ remaining schedule and how their bracket odds shift based on what happens in the final regular-season games.

Bottom line

New York topped Boston 112-106 at MSG behind late-game execution led by Hart and strong overall production, while the Celtics still struggled to translate Tatum’s return into a win that would change the playoff picture.