The Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks, 103-101, at Madison Square Garden on Saturday evening.

The Celtics (2-1) looked ready to put a tough loss to the division-rival Raptors behind them early in Saturday's contest, as they punished the Knicks (1-2) to the tune of a 31-18 advantage through the first 12 minutes. However, New York turned the tables right on their visitors in the second, almost flipping that margin to head into halftime with a very manageable 50-48 deficit. They managed to claw back from the seven-point deficit they entered the final period with, getting within 101-100 with 10.1 seconds left following a Trey Burke driving dunk. However, a pair of clutch Jayson Tatum free throws proved just enough to hold off the feisty hosts.

Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 24 points, a total he supplemented with 14 rebounds and two steals. Kyrie Irving and Marcus Morris followed with matching 16-point tallies. Irving added five assists, one rebound and two steals, while Morris supplied six boards and two assists. Aron Baynes contributed 10 points and five rebounds while drawing the start for Gordon Hayward (rest), but he exited the game after logging just 12 minutes due to a hamstring injury. Terry Rozier turned 10 points of his own in 23 minutes. Al Horford mustered eight points, hauled in 10 rebounds, dished out three assists, recorded one steal and posted one block.

Tim Hardaway, Jr. paced the Knicks with 24 points and also pitched in three rebounds, three assists and one steal. Enes Kanter continued the strong start to his season with a 17-point, 15-rebound double-double that also included two assists and two steals. Allonzo Trier turned in 15 points in 25 minutes off the bench. Burke was just short of a double-double with 11 points, nine assists, three rebounds and two steals.

The Celtics head back home and await a Monday night visit from the Miami Heat, while the Knicks face off with the Bucks in Milwaukee on that same evening.