The Boston Celtics weren’t able to clinch the Eastern Conference’s second seed on Thursday, as they dropped a close game to the New York Knicks, 112-106.
Jayson Tatum (24 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists), Payton Pritchard (23 points, six assists, and three rebounds), and Baylor Scheierman (20 points and four rebounds) led the way for Boston as they competed without Jaylen Brown.
New York got big boosts from Josh Hart (26 points) and Jalen Brunson (25 points and 10 assists) as they rode a fourth quarter push past the Celtics.
Here’s what stood out:
Josh Hart, I am so sure
It seems like this is going to be one of those games that you look back on and say, “what can you really do?” If Josh Hart is gonna give you 26 points on 5-7 from three, it’s probably not your night.
He appropriately put the finishing touches on this win for New York with two improbable daggers in the final minute. When the guy who the Celtics gameplanned to leave wide-open in help situations is the one sinking clutch shots, again, it’s just not your night.
We see you, Vuc
After two games of mediocrity, Nikola Vucevic reminded Boston Celtics fans exactly what it is that he does. This was not only his best game since returning from his broken finger, but it may have been one of his best since joining the Celtics back in February.
The recent cluttered feeling during Vuc’s minutes was cleaned up and it allowed him to play the connector role that many had hoped he’d take on when Boston acquired him.
Vucevic’s second half, in particular, showcased how impactful he can be when his shots are falling. He sank a pair of triples to help Boston recapture the momentum at Madison Square Garden.
The 35-year-old brought it enough to play himself onto the floor in the clutch, albeit he was defending Hart on both of his big shots (his defense was fine, just better offense).
Vucevic finished the night with 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists in 24 minutes off of Boston’s bench. Not bad.
Baylor Scheierman, take a bow
Speaking of rising to the occasion, Baylor Scheierman had himself a night. You could say it was a cherry on top of this delightful sophomore season from the former Creighton standout.
Joe Mazzulla elected to lean more towards Scheierman in the second half rather than Jordan Walsh, who got the starting nod. He didn’t regret it.
The Nebraska native sank a trio of timely triples to help the Celtics keep pace with the Knicks throughout the fourth quarter. In a game as intense as this one, he proved that he’s ready for the quickly-approaching playoffs.
Scheierman finished the evening with 20 points and four rebounds on an efficient 7-8 from the field. It’d be unfair to expect him to shoot that well consistently, but again, it was nice to see in a big spot.