Grading Celtics Players After A Statement Victory Against Knicks

The Boston Celtics have made a resounding statement ladies and gentlemen that they are in championship form already. The Celtics did not show any championship rust last night by defeating the New York Knicks, 132-109, and doing it spectacularly. They tied the single-game record for most three-pointers made with 29 (even if they went 0-13 after tying the record) and it is scary to imagine how dominant they can be come playoff time. 

Still, early in the season, the Celtics have started to prove they are who they were last year and the Knicks stood no chance on opening night. Following our in-game analysis and recap, let’s grade the performances of the top Celtics players whether it was Jayson Tatum (37 points, 10 assists), Jaylen Brown (23 points, 7 rebounds), or Derrick White (24 points, 4 assists).

Jayson Tatum: A+

Stats: 37 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 14-18 FG, 8-11 3-PT FG, 30 minutes

Jayson Tatum looked every bit the MVP candidate in this statement victory, and it’s hard to envision anyone on the Knicks, or even the rest of the league, slowing him down if he continues playing like this. With 37 points on 78% shooting, Tatum was lethal, especially from deep where he hit 8 of 11 shots, a remarkable clip even by his standards. More importantly, he dished out 10 assists, showing the unselfishness that has elevated his game to another level. This was a continuation of his Finals performance last year, where Tatum showcased his evolution from a pure scorer into a complete playmaker. The scary part? He did all this in just 30 minutes.

Tatum’s versatility is what truly makes the Celtics a nightmare for any opponent. On a night when the Celtics tied the NBA record for threes in a game, Tatum not only led the charge offensively but also contributed with his defense, grabbing a steal and block to round out his performance. It’s this ability to impact the game in multiple ways that gives the Celtics their championship ceiling. If Tatum keeps playing at this level, especially with Porzingis sidelined, Boston will continue to roll over teams, just like they did the Knicks.

Jaylen Brown: A

Stats: 23 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 7-18 FG, 5-9 3-PT FG, 30 minutes

Jaylen Brown didn’t have the most efficient night from the field overall, shooting just 7-18, but his impact on the game was undeniable. His 5-9 shooting from three-point range was crucial in Boston’s record-tying night, and his tenacity on defense stood out. Brown’s defensive energy was a tone-setter against the Knicks, who had no answer for his relentless pressure on the perimeter. 

While his offensive game still leaned on the streaky side, he contributed in ways that don’t always show up on the stat sheet. He was all over the glass, pulling down 7 rebounds, and he helped keep the ball moving within the flow of the offense. On a night when the Celtics demolished the Knicks, Brown’s All-Star-level play was a perfect complement to Tatum’s MVP performance. The duo remains one of the most formidable in the league, and when both are firing on all cylinders like this, it’s tough for any team to keep up.

Derrick White: A

Stats: 24 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 8-13 FG, 6-10 3-PT FG, 27 minutes

Derrick White’s performance was nothing short of spectacular in this blowout win. His efficiency from three-point range (60%) was instrumental in Boston’s record-tying performance, and he did it all in just 27 minutes. White’s ability to knock down perimeter shots consistently opens up the floor for Tatum and Brown to operate, and his basketball IQ was on full display as he made smart decisions and never forced the action. While he may not grab the headlines like Tatum or Brown, White has solidified his role as an integral piece in the Celtics’ championship pursuit.

Defensively, White’s ability to stay in front of his man and read passing lanes gave the Knicks fits. White can keep producing at this level, it adds another layer of depth to an already terrifying Boston offense, making them nearly impossible to defend.

Jrue Holiday: A

Stats: 18 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 7-9 FG, 4-6 3-PT FG, 31 minutes

Jrue Holiday was everything the Celtics envisioned when they brought him in this offseason—calm, composed, and effective on both ends of the floor. Holiday’s shooting was exceptional, going 7-9 from the field and 4-6 from beyond the arc, proving that his offensive game meshes perfectly with Boston’s three-point-heavy system. While he wasn’t tasked with heavy playmaking duties, his 4 assists demonstrated his willingness to facilitate when needed, keeping the Celtics’ offense humming along smoothly.

Defensively, Holiday continues to be a game-changer. His ability to lock down the perimeter is one of the reasons the Celtics were able to stifle the Knicks so effectively. His impact goes beyond the box score, as his presence alone deters opposing guards from attacking the paint. In this matchup, the Knicks had no answer for Holiday’s relentless defense and efficient shooting. 

Al Horford: B+

Stats: 11 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 4-7 FG, 3-5 3-PT FG, 30 minutes

At 38 years old, Al Horford continues to defy father time, putting in another solid performance in this blowout win. His 11 points on efficient shooting might not jump off the page, but it’s Horford’s intangibles that make him so valuable to the Celtics. His ball movement and defense were critical to Boston’s success against the Knicks, and he still showed that he can stretch the floor with his 3-5 shooting from beyond the arc. 

With Porzingis sidelined indefinitely, the Celtics will rely heavily on Horford’s leadership and steady play, and he looks more than capable of filling that void. His five assists highlight his ability to keep the ball moving and find open shooters, a key aspect of Boston’s three-point barrage. Horford might be older, but his experience and high basketball IQ still make him a crucial part of the Celtics’ rotation, especially in games like this where his presence helps steady the ship.

Sam Hauser: B

Stats: 10 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 4-10 FG, 2-7 3-PT FG, 24 mins

Sam Hauser is expected to come off the Celtics bench and contribute with his shooting and perimeter defense and that is what he did last night against the Knicks. He dropped 10 points, grabbed five boards, and showed improved defense when it came to coming off screens and playing hard. Hauser seems to be an excellent pickup for the Celtics and he had a solid game last night. 

Payton Pritchard: B-

Stats: 3 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1-10 FG, 1-9 3-PT FG, 25 mins

Payton Pritchard will be key for the Celtics all season long and while he shot the ball poorly last season, he did not play a bad game. It is not often a player who shoots 1-10 from the field will get a higher score, but Pritchard contributed to winning by playing elite defense, going after rebounds, and being a steady presence on the court. Not one Celtics player played bad last night and that includes the backup point guard. 

Luke Kornet: B-

Stats: 4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 2-3 FG, 0-0 3-PT FG, 15 mins

Luke Kornet earned himself 15 minutes last night and he had a job of defending Karl-Anthony Towns and the paint against the Knicks. He will never put up major numbers but his presence as a 7’1″ center will always be valuable, especially with Kristaps Porzingis out. As long as the big man doesn’t commit silly fouls and plays well around the stars, he will be a perfect backup center. Overall, Kornet contributed as he should last night, and earned a B- because of that. 

Xavier Tillman Sr.: B-

Stats: 2 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1-6 FG, 0-3 3-PT FG, 18 mins

Xavier Tillman Sr. does the little things that do not appear on the box score, even though grabbing seven rebounds in 18 minutes is quite impressive. Tillman competes hard on defense and will always be a trustworthy figure in the paint. He is built like a tank and is hard to move around the rim, making him an excellent backup big man for the Celtics and he proved it last night.

Jordan Walsh: NA

Stats: 0 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3-PT FG, 6 mins

Jordan Walsh only earned six minutes last night and did not have enough time to contribute. The second-year player still needs plenty of time to prove he can be a part of the bench for the reigning NBA champions and he did not quote get that chance last night so we cannot give him a grade in all fairness. 

Neemias Queta: NA

Stats: 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3-PT FG, 4 mins

Similar to Jordan Walsh, Neemias Queta made the court for the Celtics but only played four minutes and did not have time to contribute in any meaningful way considering the game was all but in the Celtics’ hands for almost the entire night. At 7’0″, Queta made the bench because of his size and the team will certainly benefit from big men as Porzingis recovers from his surgery. 

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