Celtics Edge Knicks in Overtime Thriller as Porzingis Erupts for 34 Points

The Boston Celtics emerged victorious in a hard-fought overtime battle against the New York Knicks, winning 119-117 at TD Garden on Sunday afternoon. Kristaps Porzingis led the charge with a spectacular 34-point performance on 11-of-19 shooting, draining eight three-pointers to help Boston complete the season sweep over their Atlantic Division rivals. Jayson Tatum added 32 points on 11-of-22 shooting in a game that went down to the wire before a national television audience on ABC.

The Knicks entered the game riding momentum from their recent double-overtime victory against Denver, with Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson forming a formidable duo. Towns delivered a dominant 34-point, 12-rebound double-double, while Brunson orchestrated the offense brilliantly with 27 points and 10 assists in 38 minutes of action. Josh Hart contributed a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double as New York fought valiantly despite playing in their third overtime game in recent days.

The contest remained tight throughout regulation, with neither team able to establish a commanding lead. Boston played without Jaylen Brown at full strength, as he suited up despite dealing with a sore knee and was limited to just 22 minutes of playing time. The Celtics' depth proved crucial, with their supporting cast stepping up to compensate for Brown's reduced availability and ensure Boston remained competitive down the stretch.

In the overtime period, Towns attempted to rally the Knicks, but a critical turnover proved costly when Mikal Bridges couldn't handle his pass at a crucial juncture. The Celtics capitalized on New York's miscues, with Jrue Holiday hitting clutch free throws to extend Boston's lead. Porzingis, facing his former team, delivered the dagger with his eighth three-pointer of the game to seal the victory and send the TD Garden crowd into a frenzy.

The win improves Boston's position in the Eastern Conference playoff race and demonstrates their ability to win close games against quality opponents. For New York, the narrow defeat marks a disappointing end to a grueling stretch that saw them play multiple overtime contests in a matter of days. The Knicks will need to regroup quickly as the playoff race intensifies in the coming weeks.

Both teams now turn their attention to the remainder of the season, with Boston looking to maintain home-court advantage throughout the playoffs and New York fighting to secure a favorable playoff seeding. The rivalry between these two storied franchises continues to produce memorable contests, and Sunday's overtime thriller added another chapter to their long history of competitive basketball.