Jalen Brunson delivered a commanding performance with 31 points and eight assists, guiding the New York Knicks to a 111-89 win over the Boston Celtics on Monday (PH time). This victory halted Boston’s five-game winning streak while pushing the Knicks into a tie for second place with the Celtics in the Eastern Conference.
Key contributors and team statistics
Besides Brunson, Josh Hart contributed 19 points for New York, and Jose Alvarado added 12 points in his Knicks debut after being acquired from New Orleans last Thursday. Karl-Anthony Towns recorded a double-double, finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Knicks secure their ninth win in 10 games.
Boston struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 7 of 41 on three-point attempts, and scored a season-low 89 points. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 26 points, while Derrick White added 19. Baylor Scheierman also made an impact with 10 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists.
Game progression and tactical highlights
The Knicks started strong, leading 35-24 after the first quarter, with Brunson scoring 15 points during that period. Boston’s three-point shooting woes were evident early, as they went 2 for 13 in the first quarter. New York expanded their lead to 17 points midway through the second quarter, but Boston managed to narrow the deficit to 60-53 by halftime, despite the Knicks shooting an efficient 60% from the field.
New York ended the third quarter on a seven-point run, entering the fourth with an 85-68 advantage, while Boston failed to convert any of their 10 three-point attempts in the third. The Knicks extended their lead to as much as 24 points late in the game, effectively sealing the victory.
Player availability and season context
The Knicks played without OG Anunoby, who missed his second consecutive game due to toe soreness on his right foot. Anunoby, averaging 16.6 points and 5.5 rebounds over 41 starts this season, remains a key player for New York. With this win, the Knicks have claimed two of their three matchups against Boston so far this season.
Implications for Eastern Conference standings
The Knicks’ victory keeps the race in the Eastern Conference tight, as both New York and Boston trail Detroit by five games. With momentum on their side following nine wins in 10 outings, the Knicks look poised to continue challenging for a higher seed in the playoffs as the season progresses.
our captain is a bucket fr📊 31 PTS | 8 AST | 3 REB pic.twitter.com/A1kx2LphdH
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 8, 2026
https://twitter.com/nyknicks/status/2020600665626599878
