The Boston Celtics looked like the reigning, defending NBA champions on Tuesday night. It was the NBA’s season opener, and things kicked off against the New York Knicks, who stood on the opposite end of a massive, statement win.
The game started as it always does on the opening night for the defending champions: the ring ceremony. This year, the Celtics beamed with pride as they watched banner number 18 rise to the rafters. With most of the entire team back, it made for a glorious moment.
Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, & Al Horford with their rings. 💍🔥
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 22, 2024
The final score, 132-109, was the result of a ridiculous 3-point shooting barrage from the Celtics. They were on track for history in the game and went 0-12 on their next attempts trying to set a new record.
https://twitter.com/ComplexSports/status/1848902528005452053
By the final buzzer, they were only able to tie the record with 29 threes in the game but they still shot 47.5% and it was more than enough to get an easy win. Just like last year, the Celtics’ shooting is red-hot to start the season and their early surge is led by none other than Jayson Tatum.
Tatum, a 5x All-Star, is said to be gunning for MVP this season after just ranking 6th last season as the leader of the best team in the NBA. Clearly, he’s out for blood going into this campaign after his performance today with 37 points, and 10 assists on 80% shooting from beyond the arc.
“All you people who made noise about Jayson Tatum’s jump shot hitch last year should have spent that time complimenting him instead of making fun of it,” wrote Rob Perez on X. “He might have stuck with it. Now look what you’ve done.”
Derrick White was the second-leading scorer for the Celtics, finishing with 24 points and 4 assists on 61.5% shooting from the field. He made up for Jaylen Brown’s poor shooing, who went 7-18 from the field in 29 minutes.
From the looks of things so far, the Celtics haven’t lost a beat after their NBA championship run from last season. They finished with the best record in the regular season and only lost twice in the playoffs en route to the title. As it stands, the Celtics remain the favorites to win the East and fans are giving them their due respect after reminding the world of their power tonight.
“I, personally, am shocked that the best team in the NBA is laying the smackdown on a team with no bench, no rim protection, and ‘Karl-Anthony Towns,'” wrote a fan.
Perhaps the most impressive part of it all is that it came against a Knicks team with championship expectations of their own. This game was the first with their new roster, including Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges and many believe that it was built based on who the Celtics are now. Clearly, it’s still a work in progress.
“When you try to copy the Celtics championship formula and still lose by 30,” wrote one Celtics fan.
As usual, Jalen Brunson pulled through for the Knicks with 22 points and 2 assists on 64.3% shooting, but he had no answer for the Celtics backcourt who combined to score 42 points on the night.
Karl-Anthony Towns had a minimal impact on his Knicks debut, finishing with just 12 points and 7 rebounds in 23 minutes. He’s played under Tom Thibodeau before but it didn’t look like it today after a mediocre showing on both ends. The Celtics attacked him relentlessly on the floor and exposed his flaws defensively.
“Karl-Anthony Towns may be one of the worst pickups of all time,” stated a very disgruntled Knicks fan.
As bad as the New York Knicks looked, it might be more of the Celtics just having a great night. With chemistry and confidence at an all-time high, they are somehow in mid-season form already and seem to be playing like they’ve got something to prove.
After not making the Olympic roster, Jaylen Brown certainly has a statement to make and the same can be said for Tatum, who will be looking to secure more accolades after winning the Larry O’Brien this summer.
Despite the best efforts from the Knicks and other teams, the Celtics still have control of the East and the path to the NBA championship goes through Boston for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately for the Knicks, they won’t have their chance for revenge until February for their next matchup in Madison Square Garden.
Until then, they have a lot of things to figure out and a lot of ground to make up in order to meet expectations for their new-look roster. As it stands, the Celtics are just several levels ahead of everyone right now.
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