Tatum lifts Celtics past NBA champs
Jayson Tatum drives his way to 36 points in the Boston Celtics’ 107-103 victory over the NBA defending champion New York Knicks.
CHRIS MARION/agence france-presse
LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Jayson Tatum scored 36 points as the Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks 107-103 to leave the National Basketball Association (NBA) champions waiting for their first win of the season on Friday.
Tatum, back at full fitness after missing most of last season with a ruptured Achilles, delivered a mesmerizing performance at the TD Garden to give Boston their first win of the campaign after an opening-day loss to Detroit.
The six-time NBA All-Star shot 14-of-26 from the field, including three three-pointers, with nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
Nine of Tatum’s points came in the fourth quarter as the Knicks, who had trailed by as many as 12 points early in the final frame, closed to within one point.
Tatum’s superb all-round display earned words of admiration from Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla.
“That was a really well-balanced game from JT on both ends, and you were able to kind of see his greatness,” Mazzulla said after the home opener.
Tatum received scoring support from new signing Paul George and Neemias Queta, who both finished with 15 points apiece.
The Knicks were led by 22 points from Karl-Anthony Towns, with OG Anunoby and Miles McBride scoring 20 each. Knicks talisman Jalen Brunson chipped in with 19.
Elsewhere Friday, the San Antonio Spurs also fell to 0-2 after losing a hard-fought Texas derby 114-110 to the Houston Rockets.