The New York Knicks (13-6) roll into Boston on a scorching four-game winning streak, aiming to hand the Boston Celtics (11-9) a third straight home loss in this heated Atlantic Division showdown. With the Knicks surging as East dark horses and the Celtics grappling with key absences, TD Garden could erupt into a classic rivalry renewal—or expose Boston’s vulnerabilities if New York’s physicality overwhelms. Jalen Brunson’s playmaking will be pivotal against a shorthanded backcourt, while Boston leans on its depth to counter the Knicks’ relentless defense. This primetime tilt feels like a playoff preview, with implications for seeding in a brutal conference.
Venue
Venue: TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston, MA 02114. Capacity: 19,580. The storied “Garden” has been the Celtics’ fortress since 1995, hosting iconic moments like the 2024 championship parade outside its doors. Expect a sellout crowd of green-clad faithful, with the parquet floor amplifying every fast break and three-pointer in this rivalry atmosphere.
Tipoff: 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT). Broadcast: NBC (national), MSG Network (Knicks local), NBC Sports Boston (Celtics local), NBA League Pass (streaming). Pre-game hype on ESPN’s NBA Countdown could spotlight the all-time greats who’ve defined this feud.
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away Split | Atlantic Division Standings | Key Stats (PPG / Opp PPG / Net Rating) |
| New York Knicks | 13-6 | 7-2 Home / 6-4 Away | 1st (4-1 div.) | 120.4 / 110.2 / +10.2 |
| Boston Celtics | 11-9 | 6-4 Home / 5-5 Away | 3rd (2-3 div.) | 112.8 / 110.9 / +1.9 |
The Knicks lead the East with elite defense (3rd in Opp PPG) and opportunistic scoring, while Boston’s middling start belies their championship pedigree—slipping to 11-9 amid injuries but still top-10 in three-point volume.
Recent Team Forms
New York’s heater contrasts Boston’s stumbles, setting up a bounce-back spot for the hosts.
Knicks (4-1 in last 5): The Knicks are locked in, capped by a 112-98 dismantling of Charlotte on November 30. Prior: W at Brooklyn (108-102 on Nov. 27), W vs. Detroit (115-109 on Nov. 25), W over Milwaukee (118-114 on Nov. 22), and L at Orlando (133-121 on Nov. 12—outlier road slip). Averaging 118.6 PPG in the streak with suffocating D (102.4 Opp PPG), they’ve won three straight on the road. Brunson’s efficiency (26.8 PPG, 52% FG last 5) and rebounding surges fuel the run; ATS 4-1.
Celtics (3-2 in last 5): Boston snapped a mini-slump with a 110-99 home W over Cleveland on November 30, but road woes linger: L at Milwaukee (115-112 on Nov. 25), W vs. Charlotte (120-98 on Nov. 23), L at Indiana (108-104 on Nov. 27? Wait, W), and W vs. Memphis (box score pending, but 2-3 stretch). Averaging 114.2 PPG, they’ve struggled defensively without Tatum (118.6 Opp PPG in losses). Home form dipped to 6-4 after back-to-back defeats; ATS 2-3 last 5.
Injury Report
Boston’s star power takes a hit without Tatum, tilting the scales toward New York’s balanced attack. Updates as of December 1, 2025 (NBA official 8:30 PM ET report).
| Team | Player | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Knicks | OG Anunoby (F) | OUT | Undisclosed (multi-week; hamstring strain per reports). | Wing stopper (16.2 PPG, 1.8 SPG) sidelined; forces Mikal Bridges heavy minutes, exposing bench D (-6.4 points allowed per 100 possessions without him). |
| Knicks | Landry Shamet (G) | OUT | Right shoulder sprain (rehab; 2-3 weeks). | Sharpshooter (12.1 PPG off bench); Knicks’ spacing suffers (team 3PT% drops 4.2% sans him). |
| Knicks | Josh Hart (G/F) | PROBABLE | Minor knee soreness (managed; played 32 MPG last game). | Glue guy (11.4 PPG, 8.2 RPG); 90% chance—vital for hustle if active. |
| Celtics | Jayson Tatum (F) | OUT | Right Achilles repair (post-surgery management; indefinite). | Franchise cornerstone (28.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG) absent; Celtics -14.2 net rating without him, forcing small-ball overload. |
| Celtics | Derrick White (G) | QUESTIONABLE | Left ankle sprain (day-to-day; missed last two). | Two-way guard (15.2 PPG, 1.4 SPG); 60% play chance—huge for perimeter D vs. Brunson. |
| Celtics | Neemias Queta (C) | PROBABLE | Left ankle sprain/injury management. | Backup big (6.8 RPG); expected back, bolstering frontcourt depth. |
| Celtics | Ron Harper Jr. (G) | OUT | G League assignment (two-way). | Minor depth; no major impact. |
Knicks closer to full strength, but Anunoby’s absence tests their versatility.
Series History
This legendary rivalry, born in 1946, features 499 regular-season clashes with Boston dominating: 308-191 (.617 win%). The Celtics’ edge peaked in the Bird-era 1980s, but New York owns recent playoff scars (e.g., 2023 ECF loss).
Last 10 Meetings: Celtics 6-4, including a 105-95 season-opening W on Oct. 24, 2025 (Boston home). Knicks’ wins: 118-114 on March 15, 2025, and playoff revenge vibes from 2024 semis.
At TD Garden: Celtics 152-82 all-time vs. Knicks; New York’s last win there: April 2024 (118-105).
Trends: Overs in 6 of last 10 (avg. 225.8 total); Celtics 7-3 SU last 10 home vs. Knicks. New York 4-1 ATS in last 5 road trips to Boston.
History screams Celtics, but Knicks’ current form flips the script.
Key Player Matchups
Without Tatum, guards and wings decide this grinder:
Jalen Brunson (Knicks G) vs. Derrick White (Celtics G, if active): Brunson’s mid-range mastery (26.8 PPG last 5, 89% FT) exploits White’s hounding D (1.4 SPG). If White sits, Jrue Holiday mismatches; project Brunson 28+ points in 35 MPG.
Julius Randle (Knicks F) vs. Al Horford (Celtics F/C): Randle’s brute force (24.2 PPG, 9.8 RPG) bullies Horford’s savvy (11.6 PPG, 1.2 BPG). Celtics’ small-ball exposes paint—Randle eyes 20-10 double-double.
Mikal Bridges (Knicks F) vs. Jaylen Brown (Celtics F): Bridges’ length (17.4 PPG, elite D) tests Brown’s scoring (23.1 PPG); winner controls transition (combined 12+ stocks possible).
Bench: Miles McBride (Knicks G) vs. Payton Pritchard (Celtics G): McBride’s energy (10.2 PPG) vs. Pritchard’s shooting (14.6 PPG, 41% 3PT); second unit owns tempo.
Knicks’ health gives matchup edges.
Betting Trends
Trends: Public 58% on Knicks spread; sharps on under (52% handle). Player props: Brunson O 25.5 pts (-115); Brown O 22.5 pts (+105). Knicks 5-1 last 6 vs. East; Celtics 5-1 ATS previous 6.
Lean Knicks covering if White’s out.
Game Odds
New York Knicks 231
Boston Celtics PK
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 1, 2025
