Knicks vs Boston Celtics Match Player Stats: Who Took Over the Game?

New York Knicks 112, Boston Celtics 106. The final score looked closer than the story told on the floor. The Knicks vs Boston Celtics match player stats from April 9, 2026 reveal a team that attacked the paint, shared the ball at an elite rate, and locked down the fourth quarter when it mattered most. This complete breakdown covers every number you need — player by player, quarter by quarter.

Match Overview: Knicks 112 – Celtics 106 (April 9, 2026)

The New York Knicks hosted the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden in a regular-season finale that carried real urgency for both sides. The Knicks came away with the win, moving their playoff positioning up heading into the postseason.

The game turned in the fourth quarter. After three tightly contested periods, New York outscored Boston 31–23 in the final frame to seal the result. Due to costly turnovers and a Knicks team that would not let the lead slip away, the Celtics were never able to fully recover.

Knicks vs Celtics Player Stats: New York Knicks Full Box Score

Here is the complete player-by-player breakdown for the New York Knicks in this matchup. Every number below is pulled directly from the official game data.

Jalen Brunson — 25 Points, 10 Assists

Jalen Brunson delivered the performance the Knicks needed when the game tightened up. He finished with 25 points and 10 assists, recording a double-double while committing just one turnover. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 10:1 was the single most impressive efficiency number in the entire game.

Brunson went 10-of-19 from the field and scored 12 of his points from inside the paint. He punished Boston’s pick-and-roll coverage repeatedly, getting downhill and either finishing at the rim or finding an open cutter. This was exactly the kind of lead-from-the-front showing that defines what makes the Knicks dangerous.

Josh Hart — 26 Points, 3 Assists

Josh Hart was the Knicks’ most efficient shooter on the night. He finished with 26 points on just 15 field goal attempts, converting 10 of those, including 5 of 7 from three-point range. He led all players in the game with an effective field goal percentage of 83.3%.

Hart’s three-point shooting gave New York the spacing it needed to let Brunson operate in the pick-and-roll. He also chipped in 3 assists and swiped a steal in a performance that reminded the basketball world why he is one of the most underrated two-way wings in the Eastern Conference.

Karl-Anthony Towns — 16 Points, 12 Rebounds, 4 Assists

Karl-Anthony Towns posted the game’s most complete line. His 16-point, 12-rebound, 4-assist night highlighted his ability to function as both a scoring threat and a connective piece in the Knicks’ offense. He hit 100% of his three free throw attempts and converted 6 of 12 from the field.

During the crucial fourth quarter of the game, Towns pulled down ten defensive rebounds, essentially stopping Boston’s second-chance opportunities. He also recorded 2 steals, one of the clearest signs that his defensive engagement has grown alongside his offensive production.

Mikal Bridges — 10 Points, 6 Assists

Mikal Bridges had one of the cleanest shooting nights anyone can have: 4-of-4 from the field, 2-of-2 from three-point range, and zero turnovers. He shot 100% and added 6 assists while maintaining a +17 plus/minus — the best mark on the entire New York roster.

His +17 was a direct reflection of how differently the game flowed when Bridges was on the court versus off it. His ability to make the right pass without ever needing to force his own shot is exactly what makes him such a reliable complement to Brunson and Towns.

OG Anunoby — 13 Points, 4 Rebounds, 2 Steals

OG Anunoby gave New York a reliable third scoring option from the forward spot. He went 4-of-10 from the field including 3-of-7 from deep, and contributed 2 steals and 4 rebounds in a typically energetic defensive effort. His 3 fast-break points were also a direct product of those steals converting into transition offense.

Mitchell Robinson — 7 Points, 7 Rebounds, 3 Steals

Mitchell Robinson’s 3 steals stood out even in a game where New York recorded 9 steals as a team. He grabbed 7 rebounds, went 3-of-4 from the field, and made things extremely uncomfortable for Boston in the paint at both ends. His at-rim field goal percentage of 75% speaks to how efficiently he converts at the basket.

Miles McBride — 4 Points, 2 Assists

Miles McBride came off the bench and contributed 4 points with 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. His 1-of-5 shooting was an off night, but his defensive contributions — a steal and a block — kept him productive without the ball going through him.

Knicks vs Celtics Player Stats: Boston Celtics Full Box Score

Boston had more than enough offense to win this game on paper. The Celtics’ 11 turnovers against the Knicks’ 9 steals swung the game’s momentum decisively in New York’s favor.

Jayson Tatum: 8 assists, 13 rebounds, and 24 points

Jayson Tatum put up a triple-double-adjacent line — 24 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists — but his 6 turnovers were the single biggest reason Boston lost this game. He shot just 31.8% from the field and 20% from three-point range, struggling to find his rhythm against New York’s physical perimeter defense.

Tatum drew 8 fouls, earning 10 free throw attempts and converting 8. Without that free throw volume, his scoring total would have looked far less impressive. His -16 plus/minus told the truest story of his night.

Payton Pritchard — 23 Points, 6 Assists (Top Celtics Scorer)

Payton Pritchard was Boston’s most effective offensive player on the night. His 23 points came on 10-of-20 shooting, and he distributed 6 assists against only 2 turnovers. He scored 12 points in the paint and consistently pushed tempo to create advantages off the dribble.

Pritchard’s +4 was the best plus/minus on the Boston roster — a telling sign that the Celtics were most competitive when the ball moved through him. His energy off the bench injected life into Boston at exactly the moments they needed it most.

Baylor Scheierman — 20 Points (Hot Shooting Off the Bench)

Baylor Scheierman produced Boston’s most efficient shooting line of the game: 7-of-8 from the field, 6-of-7 from three-point range, and 20 total points off the bench. His 85.7% three-point percentage was extraordinary, and his 4 rebounds added depth to a performance that showed exactly why he has earned consistent minutes.

Neemias Queta — 10 Points, 10 Rebounds, 2 Assists

Off the Boston bench, Neemias Queta recorded a double-double with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting and 10 rebounds (6 offensive). His 6 offensive rebounds led to 4 second-chance points for Boston, giving the Celtics opportunities they should not have had. Despite this, his -7 plus/minus indicated that the Knicks outperformed Boston in his total minutes.

Derrick White — 8 Points, 3 Rebounds

Derrick White had a rough shooting night, going 2-of-10 from the field including 0-of-6 from three-point range. He still contributed 8 points thanks to a 4-of-4 free throw performance and showed 3 rebounds and 1 steal. White’s inability to find his shot from deep took away a dimension Boston desperately needed.

Nikola Vucevic — 10 Points, 5 Rebounds

Nikola Vucevic contributed a tidy 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting, hitting 2-of-4 from three-point range. His 5 rebounds and 2 assists were solid, but 2 turnovers cost Boston in key moments. His +1 plus/minus was one of the better marks on the Boston side.

Sam Hauser — 6 Points, 2 Rebounds, 3 Assists

Sam Hauser made 2-of-7 attempts including 2-of-6 from three, finishing with 6 points and 3 assists. His 3 second-chance points off 1 offensive rebound were a bright spot in an otherwise quiet night.

Jordan Walsh — 5 Points

Jordan Walsh’s 5 points on 2-of-4 shooting (1-of-2 from three) gave Boston a small spark off the bench, but his 4 personal fouls limited his minutes and contribution.

Key Stats That Decided the Game

The Knicks vs Boston Celtics match player stats tell a clear story when you look at the numbers that matter most.

• Assists advantage: New York dished 29 assists to Boston’s 23. The Knicks moved the ball like a team playing with one mind, while Boston’s offense too often ran through isolation plays that stalled.
• Turnovers: Boston committed 11 turnovers versus New York’s 7. The Knicks turned those extra possessions into 14 points off turnovers.
• Points in the paint: New York scored 46 paint points against Boston’s 32. This gap reflects how effectively Brunson and Towns attacked the rim.
• Steals: New York had 9 steals to Boston’s 4. Mitchell Robinson (3 steals), Josh Hart (1), and OG Anunoby (2) all contributed to a suffocating defensive effort.
• Fourth quarter: New York outscored Boston 31–23 in the final frame. That 8-point swing in the last 12 minutes sealed the game.

Team Shooting Comparison

Advanced Team Stats Comparison

One statistic stands out: Boston scored 53 bench points compared to New York’s 22. The Celtics’ reserves outplayed the Knicks’ reserves by a wide margin. The difference is that New York’s starters — Brunson, Hart, Towns, Bridges, and Anunoby — controlled the game so completely that Boston’s bench production could not make up the gap.

What This Result Means for Both Teams

This regular-season finish carried weight beyond the scoreboard. The Knicks entered the 2025–26 postseason playing some of their most connected basketball, which they then carried through a run that ended with the franchise winning the NBA Championship — their first in franchise history — by defeating the San Antonio Spurs 4–1 in the NBA Finals.

The Celtics, meanwhile, fell to Philadelphia 76ers 4–3 in the first round of the playoffs, a shock exit for a team that had been a consistent Eastern Conference contender. The April 9 game against New York captured both teams at a crossroads. The Knicks responded to the challenge; Boston could not.

Knicks vs Celtics Head-to-Head Context

New York and Boston have one of the most compelling head-to-head records in Eastern Conference history. When these teams meet, the games tend to be decided by execution in the final minutes — exactly what the knicks vs boston celtics match player stats from April 9 demonstrated. The Knicks’ 31-point fourth quarter was not luck. It was the product of a team that had built the habits to finish under pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the outcome of the April 9, 2026, Knicks vs. Celtics game?

The New York Knicks defeated the Boston Celtics 112–106 at Madison Square Garden. New York outscored Boston 31–23 in the decisive fourth quarter.

Who led the Knicks in scoring in the Knicks vs Celtics match player stats?

Josh Hart led New York with 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting, including 5-of-7 from three-point range. Jalen Brunson added 25 points and 10 assists for a dominant double-double.

Who was the top scorer for the Celtics in the knicks vs boston celtics match player stats?

Jayson Tatum scored 24 points with 13 rebounds and 8 assists but committed 6 turnovers and shot just 31.8% from the field. Payton Pritchard led Boston’s effective contributors with 23 points and 6 assists.

Which player had the best plus/minus in the game?

Mikal Bridges had the highest plus/minus of any player at +17. He shot 4-of-4 from the field, hit both three-point attempts, and distributed 6 assists without committing a single turnover.

How many turnovers did Boston commit?

Boston committed 11 turnovers in total, and New York converted those mistakes into 14 points off turnovers. That margin proved decisive in a 6-point game.

Did either team record a double-double?

Yes. Jalen Brunson (25 pts, 10 ast), Karl-Anthony Towns (16 pts, 12 reb), and Jayson Tatum (24 pts, 13 reb) all recorded double-doubles. Neemias Queta also posted 10 points and 10 rebounds off the Boston bench.

Final Thoughts

The knicks vs boston celtics match player stats from April 9, 2026 make one thing clear: New York was the better team on this night, and it was not purely about individual talent. The Knicks shared the ball (29 assists), protected possessions (7 turnovers), and dominated the paint (46 points). Brunson ran the offense with precision, Hart shot Boston off the floor, and Bridges provided the perfect complementary performance without wasting a single shot.

If you want to track upcoming Knicks and Celtics matchups, follow the official NBA stats page at nba.com/stats for live box scores and historical data. For deeper context on both rosters, ESPN’s matchup center and Basketball-Reference remain the most reliable secondary sources for season-long numbers.

Data sourced from official SportRadar NBA game data, April 9, 2026. All statistics reflect final official box score figures.