Jalen Brunson Scores 31 as Knicks Demolish Celtics 111-89 to End Boston's Winning Streak

Jalen Brunson delivered a vintage performance with 31 points and 8 assists as the New York Knicks dismantled the Boston Celtics 111-89 on Saturday night at TD Garden, snapping Boston's five-game winning streak in emphatic fashion. The Knicks' suffocating defense held the Celtics to their lowest point total of the season and forced one of the worst shooting nights in recent franchise history. Brunson was efficient and relentless, hitting 12 of 21 field goal attempts including 4 of 8 from beyond the arc in 33 minutes of action. Josh Hart provided critical support with 19 points, while Mikal Bridges added 14 and recently acquired Jose Alvarado chipped in 12 off the bench. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Knicks control the paint and tempo throughout the contest. The story of the night was New York's defensive intensity, which completely disrupted Boston's offensive rhythm from the opening tip. The Celtics never held a lead after the game's first 6 minutes, and the Knicks maintained control for the final 42 minutes. Boston's struggles from three-point range were particularly glaring, as they connected on just 7 of 41 attempts from deep for a dismal 17.1 percent conversion rate. The team's overall field goal percentage sat at just 37 percent, marking one of their most inefficient offensive performances in years. Jaylen Brown led Boston's scoring effort with 26 points, while Derrick White added 19, but neither could generate enough offense to counter the Knicks' balanced attack. The Celtics' trademark ball movement and spacing, which had fueled their recent winning streak, was nowhere to be found as New York's perimeter defense constantly pressured passing lanes and contested shots. The 89 points represented the fewest the Celtics have scored in any game this season, highlighting just how thoroughly the Knicks controlled the defensive end. The victory carries significant implications for both teams' playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. Following the loss, both the Celtics (34-19) and Knicks (34-19) now share identical records, intensifying the race for seeding advantage heading into the postseason. The Knicks shot 14 of 35 from three-point range (40 percent), demonstrating the stark contrast in efficiency that ultimately decided the game. New York's ability to execute their defensive gameplan while maintaining offensive balance showcased the growth and maturity of a team with legitimate championship aspirations. For Boston, the defeat serves as a reality check after their impressive winning streak and raises questions about their ability to maintain offensive consistency against elite defensive teams. The Celtics will need to regroup quickly as the regular season winds down and playoff seeding becomes increasingly critical. Meanwhile, the Knicks continue to build momentum at exactly the right time, with Brunson's leadership and the team's defensive identity positioning them as one of the most dangerous teams in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.