What to watch for as the Boston Celtics visit the New York Knicks

As the Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving situations dominate headlines across all sports, there is still basketball to be played.

With everything that has transpired in the last few days, the Boston Celtics will have to throw all of their distractions out the window and prepare for a game Friday against the New York Knicks, or what’s left of them.

The Knicks traded Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee for DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews, Dennis Smith Jr. and two first round picks Thursday.

It’s unlikely those players are active in time for their game against the Celtics Friday, making an already terrible Knicks team shorthanded. This game will get a lot more attention than it really should, but here’s what to watch for at Madison Square Garden Friday night.

Tale of the tape

Celtics: 32-19 (5th in East), 11-13 on the road this year, looking to move into fourth place in the East with a win

Knicks: 10-40 (15th in East), not much else to say other than the Knicks are a truly awful basketball team

BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 21: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics gives a thumbs up during a game at TD Garden on November 21, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /

Kyrie Irving

A lot of eyes are going to be on Kyrie Irving Friday night. Not only is the point guard surrounded in free-agent drama after sort of walking back his commitment to the Celtics from October, but he’s also coming off a two-game absence due to a hip strain.

How will Irving look coming off an injury?

Will the Knicks crowd give him a huge ovation?

How will he react to it?

What will he say after the game?

Whether he likes it or not, the NBA world will have its eyes on Irving tonight.

Jaylen Brown

After a rough start to his third season in the NBA, Jaylen Brown has put together multiple strong performances. He has scored over 20 points in three of the last four games, seemingly figuring out his role within the Celtics’ high powered offense.

A lot of Celtics fans were ready to trade Brown for pennies on the dollar, but now he has reminded us all what makes him one of the best young players in the NBA. The best version of this Celtics team involves Brown attacking the basket at will with brute force and athleticism. Look for him to continue his offensive roll against the lowly Knicks.

Boston Celtics Gordon Hayward Jayson Tatum (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

Getting Hayward back

One of the main issues keeping the Celtics from destroying every team they go against has been Gordon Hayward’s struggles to get back to his All-Star form. At his best, he’s the second best player on the team, but this season Hayward has been playing like a seventh or eighth man.

The return of Jaylen Brown. dark. Next

To me, the most realistic trade package for Anthony Davis this summer involves Hayward. If he can start to develop some confidence, it automatically raises this team’s ceiling. If Boston can win a championship with this roster, does it make it harder for Danny Ainge to break it up for a Davis trade?

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