Eastern Conference Recaps, Oct. 25: Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis Show Up To Push The Boston Celtics Past New York Knicks
Tatum and Porzingis combined for 64 points to give the Celtics a victory
When the Boston Celtics made the huge offseason roster moves, fans were excited. The Celtics made sure to not disappoint them.
On a night Jaylen Brown struggled, Jayson Tatum picked it up with 34 points and 11 rebounds to give them a 108-104 win against the New York Knicks. Kristaps Porzingis, who was acquired from the Washington Wizards via trade this offseason, contributed with 30 points which included five 3-pointers.
“KP is hungry and excited to be here and knows how important he is to this team and what we need him to bring each and every night,” Tatum said.
As for the Knicks, RJ Barrett led them with 24 points while Julius Randle had 14 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. Immanuel Quickley led all reserves with 24 points.
NEXT CELTICS GAME: Oct. 27 vs. Miami Heat
NEXT KNICKS GAME: Oct. 27 @ Atlanta Hawks
OTHER NOTES:
-Eight Indiana Pacers players scored double-figures to hand the Washington Wizards a 143-120 blowout loss. Bruce Brown, who signed with the Pacers this summer, led them with 24 points and Tyrese Haliburton recorded 20 points and 11 assists.
Kyle Kuzma scored 25 points for the Wizards and newly-acquired Jordan Poole had 18.
NEXT PACERS GAME: Oct. 28 @ Cleveland Cavaliers
NEXT WIZARDS GAME: Oct. 28 vs. Memphis Grizzlies
-P.J. Washington’s 25 points helped the Charlotte Hornets secure a 116-110 victory against the Atlanta Hawks. Terry Rozier had 24 points and LaMelo Ball 15 points and 10 assists. The second-round draft pick Brandon Miller led the bench with 13 points.
Trae Young scored 23 points for the Hawks but had a horrible shooting night. Both Saddiq Bey and Clint Capela scored 15 points each while Jalen Johnson had a career-high 21 points off the bench.
NEXT HORNETS GAME: Oct. 27 vs. Detroit Pistons
NEXT HAWKS GAME: Oct. 27 vs. New York Knicks
-The Toronto Raptors’ new guard, Dennis Schroder, recorded 22 points to give them a 97-94 edge over the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was the most points he scored since Mar. 24, 2023.
“New team, new terminology, new coaching staff,” new Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic said about Schroder. "There’s so much new with our team, and having somebody who’s been through it with different teams in that role of point guard brings calmness.”
O.G. Anunoby had 20 points and Scottie Barnes 17.
As for the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards led the way with 26 points and 14 rebounds. It was the most rebounds he had since Nov. 24, 2021. Karl-Anthony Towns also had a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
NEXT RAPTORS GAME: Oct. 27 @ Chicago Bulls
NEXT TIMBERWOLVES GAME: Oct. 28 vs. Miami Heat
-After a disappointing offseason, the Miami Heat came with a surprise. Led by Bam Adebayo’s 22 points, they took a 103-102 victory against the Detroit Pistons.
“A win is a win, as [Erik] Spo would tell you, as I would tell you, as anybody in that locker room would tell you,” said Jimmy Butler, who finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds.
Cade Cunningham, who played in his first game since Nov. 9, 2022, led the Pistons with 30 points.
NEXT HEAT GAME: Oct. 27 @ Boston Celtics
NEXT PISTONS GAME: Oct. 27 @ Charlotte Hornets
-The Cleveland Cavaliers came away with a 114-113 victory against the Brooklyn Nets, their first road win in a season opener since 2000. But it was Donovan Mitchell who delivered. He scored 10 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, including the clutch 3-pointer with 12 seconds left, securing the victory.
“The thing about our team is that we're really resilient,” Mitchell said. “When the games are close ... you have to be locked in defensively. For me, when it's time, just kind of picking my spots and kind of getting to where I wanted to.”
Cam Thomas led the Nets and all reserves with 36 points while Mikal Bridges had 20.
NEXT CAVALIERS GAME: Oct. 27 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
NEXT NETS GAME: Oct. 27 @ Dallas Mavericks
Cory Nelson is a contributor to Fansided’s “Wiz of Awes”. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson and Instagram @ckenzynelson