Knicks fall short despite tough outing from Jalen Brunson against Celtics

BOSTON — Knicks Struggle in Loss to Celtics

The recent defeat against the Celtics highlighted a stark reality: if Jalen Brunson can’t perform, the Knicks face an uphill battle.

Brunson had arguably his worst game of the season on Tuesday, contributing to the 123-117 loss by missing 15 of 21 shots and committing three turnovers. This defeat halted the Knicks’ four-game winning streak, leaving them with a season record of 13 wins and 7 losses, and continuing their road struggles with 3 wins and 6 losses away from home.

Something just seemed off with Brunson.

He shot just 1 of 8 from three-point range, including a wide-open shot that barely grazed the rim. Many of his attempts came up short.

Despite this, the Knicks rallied from an 18-point deficit early in the fourth quarter, narrowing the gap to three points. It likely evoked memories of previous miraculous comebacks at TD Garden among fans and players alike.

But in the closing minutes, Brunson couldn’t find the basket, missing two crucial floaters. This performance might rank as not just his worst of the season, but perhaps the least effective he’s had in a Knicks uniform. Meanwhile, Mikal Bridges did his best to carry the team, scoring 35 points on an impressive 12-of-17 shooting, including 8-of-12 from beyond the arc.

Still, Brunson’s struggles proved too significant to overlook.

The Knicks started strong, going on a 17-4 run right from the tip-off. Josh Hart even hit a spectacular three-pointer, scoring 11 points in the first quarter. Karl-Anthony Towns was solid, and Miles McBride was also contributing effectively.

However, by halftime, things took a turn, largely due to the impact of Jaylen Brown. The Celtics star scored 18 of his 42 points in the second quarter, taking advantage of the Knicks’ porous defense. The backup point guard, Tyler Kolek, struggled in his 15 minutes on the court, and the Knicks found themselves trailing by 23 points.

Mitchell Robinson’s limited playing time compounded the issues, especially after Celtics coach Joe Mazzula opted to employ a hack-a-Mitch strategy, sending Robinson to the foul line twice in the first quarter, where he managed just 1 of 4 free throws.

Despite all this, Brunson’s performance stood out as the most disappointing among the team.

The Knicks will return to TD Garden next, a site that holds memories of last season’s highs and surprising comebacks during the Eastern Conference semifinals.

This game served as a test for the players, especially Bridges, amid concerns raised by their recent regular-season form.

“It was great to see the team play well and give ourselves a shot at winning despite all the challenges we faced and the doubts that were cast,” Towns shared before Tuesday’s matchup. “We’ve struggled at times, but we really stepped up when we needed to.”

Towns added that playing against the Knicks always brings its own set of challenges. “We just need to focus on the game and do whatever it takes to win,” he said.

This game was a reminder that what happens in the regular season doesn’t always translate to playoff success. Last year, the Knicks lost to the Celtics four times, including a rough start at TD Garden. One player recalled the experience in the locker room as “belt to butt.”