Celtics vs Knicks tonight: tip-off time, injuries, and keys as Atlantic rivals clash at Madison Square Garden

The Celtics vs Knicks rivalry returns to center stage tonight in New York, with Boston seeking its first win of the season and the Knicks looking to build on an encouraging opener. Expect a playoff-tilt atmosphere: physical defense, half-court execution under bright lights, and crowd-fueled momentum swings.

Celtics vs Knicks: when and where

• Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. ET (12:30 a.m. BST)

• Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York

• Season series: First of four meetings

Injury report and expected availability

Boston Celtics

• Jayson Tatum — Out (right Achilles repair). Boston’s offense redistributes on-the-ball reps to Jaylen Brown and Derrick White.

• Luka Garza — Out (concussion protocol).

New York Knicks

• Mitchell Robinson — Out (left ankle management).

• OG Anunoby — Probable (left ankle sprain).

• Karl-Anthony Towns — Questionable (right quad strain).

• Josh Hart — Questionable (lower-back spasms).

Status designations can be adjusted near game time; plan for last-minute confirmations.

Probable starters (subject to change)

Celtics: Derrick White — Jrue Holiday — Jaylen Brown — Oshae Brissett/Sam Hauser — Kristaps Porziņģis*
Knicks: Jalen Brunson — Donte DiVincenzo — OG Anunoby* — Karl-Anthony Towns*/Josh Hart* — Ariel Hukporti*

*Health-dependent. If Towns can’t go, the Knicks lean bigger minutes for secondary bigs and small-ball looks with Anunoby at the four. With Robinson out, early center rotations bear watching.

Game plan snapshots: how each side tilts the math

Boston’s blueprint

1. Put Brunson in actions early and often. Empty-side pick-and-rolls with Brown or White pressure the point-of-attack defense and open corner threes for Hauser or Brissett.

2. Short-roll creation via Porziņģis. Without Tatum’s mid-post scoring, Boston thrives when Porziņģis catches at 15 feet and forces rotations to the dunker spot.

3. Defensive glass and transition control. Limiting New York to one shot is non-negotiable; when Boston finishes possessions, the secondary break finds early threes.

New York’s blueprint

1. Brunson’s paint touches = tempo control. Snakes, re-screens, and the mid-range pull-up bend drop coverage and draw help that frees weak-side cutters.

2. Wing physicality. If Anunoby is a go, his on-ball defense against Brown and his off-ball cuts punish over-help.

3. Frontcourt viability without Robinson. Hukporti’s verticality and box-outs matter; if Towns plays, his pick-and-pop gravity drags Boston’s rim protection away from the cup.

Matchup matrix: who owns the edges?

Three swing factors that decide Celtics vs Knicks

1. Foul discipline on stars. Two quick whistles on Brown or Brunson reshape the chessboard. Early vertical contests over reach-ins will decide rotation stability.

2. Corner three economy. Boston’s drive-and-kick game hunts corners; New York must shrink the paint without surrendering the short corner. Flip side: Brunson’s skip passes produce the Knicks’ best catch-and-shoot looks.

3. Non-star minutes. When Brown or Brunson sit, second units determine run prevention. Boston must keep a creator on the floor; New York needs bench rebounding to stem quick 8–0 spurts.

Tactical wrinkles to watch

• Spain pick-and-roll counters. Boston’s back-screen actions free rollers; New York can pre-switch or top-lock to blow up timing.

• Ghost screens for DiVincenzo. Slip-outs at the arc force miscommunication and quick triggers from three.

• Porziņģis as a trailer. Late-arriving threes punish overhelp on initial drives. If Towns plays, expect a duel of stretch bigs trading pick-and-pop answers.

Prediction tone and game script

Early minutes should be chess-like: New York probing paint touches, Boston testing switching thresholds. If the Knicks win the offensive glass and Brunson lives at the nail, the Garden tilts their way late. If the Celtics control turnovers, generate corner threes, and protect the rim, their depth carries the final six minutes.

Lean: one- or two-possession game into clutch time. Slight nod to Boston if Porziņģis controls the paint and Brown’s rim pressure draws sprays; edge to New York if second-chance points climb and Brunson owns crunch-time pacing.