Celtics' Win Over Knicks Featured a Stunning Zero From New York Starter
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Jayson Tatum deserved plenty of attention after leading the Boston Celtics to a 107-103 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night. The Boston star finished with 36 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, helping the Celtics recover from their season-opening loss to Detroit.
But another number from the game tells an equally interesting story.
Zero.
That's how many points New York forward Mikal Bridges scored in nearly 22 minutes against Boston. For a Knicks team trying to defend its NBA championship, the performance was an unexpected development in a game decided by only four points.
A Surprising Night for Bridges
Bridges finished 0-for-8 from the field, including 0-for-5 from three-point range. He recorded four assists, one rebound and one steal, but couldn't find a way to put the ball in the basket. It was a particularly frustrating performance because New York received significant contributions elsewhere.
Mikal Bridges as Knicks lose in Boston 107-103: 0 points 0-8 shooting 0-5 three 0 free throws https://t.co/8AdLsvxlfw
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) October 24, 2026
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. OG Anunoby added 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, while Miles McBride supplied 20 points off the bench. McBride was especially dangerous from the perimeter, connecting on six of his eight three-point attempts.
Yet the Knicks still couldn't overcome Boston.
Bridges' struggles weren't the only reason. New York also committed 18 turnovers, seven more than the Celtics, and failed to complete its late comeback.
Still, an eight-shot, scoreless performance from a prominent member of the starting lineup stands out in such a narrow defeat. Had Bridges converted even a few of his opportunities, the final result might have looked different.
Boston Won Without Dominating Every Category
The Celtics didn't control every aspect of Friday's game. New York won the rebounding battle 44-37 and made 16 three-pointers compared with Boston's 15. The Knicks also recorded more assists, finishing with 27 to the Celtics' 25.
Those numbers make the result particularly interesting.
Boston found a way to win despite losing several statistical categories that often help determine the outcome of close games. The Celtics protected the basketball better, capitalized on New York's mistakes and leaned on Tatum when the game became uncomfortable.
Tatum's late scoring helped prevent the Knicks from completing their comeback. His performance was the obvious headline, but Boston's ability to take advantage of New York's uneven offensive production also played a major role.
The Celtics received 15 points apiece from Paul George and Neemias Queta, while Derrick White contributed 12 points and six assists. It wasn't a flawless team performance, but it was enough.
MORE: Neemias Queta Gives Celtics an Unexpected Boost in Home-Opening Win
A Reminder About Winning Close Games
The Celtics won't have much time to enjoy Friday's victory. Boston returns to TD Garden on Monday to face the Chicago Bulls, beginning a stretch of games that will offer another look at how Joe Mazzulla's team is developing.
The win over New York provided an encouraging early example of Boston finding a way to succeed without controlling every category. There will be nights when the Celtics shoot better, rebound more effectively or receive bigger contributions from their bench.
There will also be nights when an opponent's star players are nearly impossible to contain. Against the Knicks, Boston managed to win while one of New York's prominent starters endured a completely scoreless evening.
Tatum's 36 points will be remembered. Bridges' zero might be the statistic that best illustrates just how unusual Friday's game became.