The New York Knicks kicked off their 2023 preseason with a satisfying win against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, closing the game with a final score of 114-107.
In a matchup where the Celtics opted to rest several of their star players, including Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jayson Tatum, the Knicks decided to field their starting lineup from the previous year. This choice allowed them to deliver a performance that closely resembled their 2023 season style of play.
Jalen Brunson made a significant impact by contributing 10 points on an impressive 4-of-5 shooting in just six minutes of action, while Julius Randle added 11 points and secured four rebounds during his 13-minute appearance.
Mitchell Robinson showcased his versatility on both ends of the court, amassing 10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. RJ Barrett led the starting unit with 12 points, even though he struggled with his field goal shooting, making just one of six attempts. However, Barrett redeemed himself by sinking all nine of his free throws, demonstrating improvement from his 74 percent free throw shooting in the previous season.
Immanuel Quickley emerged as the standout performer for the Knicks, leading the team with an impressive 21 points. He particularly shone in the third quarter, scoring 14 points and contributing significantly to the Knicks’ ability to maintain a lead that reached as high as 13 points in the second half.
Off the bench, Evan Fournier also achieved double digits with 11 points, including three successful three-pointers out of seven attempts. Donte DiVincenzo, in his unofficial debut for the Knicks, chipped in with eight points off the bench. Notably, some players like Josh Hart and Ryan Arcidiacono did not participate in the preseason opener due to their recent involvement in the American effort at the FIBA Basketball World Cup last month.
On the Celtics’ side, they made the strategic decision to rest most of their star players after securing an exhibition victory against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night. Payton Pritchard once again led the Celtics in scoring, contributing 21 points, closely followed by Delano Banton, who added 20 points. Former Knick Svi Mykhailiuk came off the bench to contribute 15 points.
The Celtics’ backup players held a significant advantage in rebounding, outrebounding the Knicks with a plus-10 margin (49-39), primarily due to their strong performance on the offensive glass, where they secured 16 offensive rebounds compared to the Knicks’ nine. Neemias Queta had four second-chance opportunities, while Wenyen Gabriel and Lamar Stevens each contributed three.
Despite the differences in their preseason lineups, both the Knicks and the Celtics are gearing up to start their regular seasons with a matchup at Madison Square Garden on October 25. Before that, they will meet again in a preseason game in Boston on October 17.
Summary
In an exciting preseason opener, the New York Knicks showcased their potential for the 2023 season by defeating a depleted Boston Celtics squad. Despite missing some key players, the Knicks’ starting lineup, led by Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, displayed promising form. Immanuel Quickley’s standout performance and the Knicks’ overall teamwork secured them a notable victory. Meanwhile, the Celtics, resting their stars, saw Payton Pritchard leading the scoring. The blog provides a detailed account of the game and sets the stage for their upcoming regular season clash at Madison Square Garden.
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