NEW YORK — — Josh Hart scored 15 of his 26 factors within the fourth quarter, Jalen Brunson had 25 factors and 10 assists, and the New York Knicks stayed alive within the race for the No. 2 seed within the Eastern Conference with a 112-106 victory over Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics on Thursday night time.
Tatum completed with 24 factors, 13 rebounds and eight assists in his first sport again on the Madison Square Garden court docket the place he ruptured his Achilles tendon in last season’s playoffs.
The Knicks (52-28) pulled inside two video games of the Celtics (54-26) for second place with two video games to play for each groups. New York owns the tiebreaker after successful the season collection 3-1 and would take the No. 2 seed with two wins and two Boston losses.
Hart made two 3-pointers within the ultimate 42 seconds to present New York extra wins this season below Mike Brown than in its 51-31 end final season in Tom Thibodeau’s ultimate season.
The Knicks then knocked off the Celtics within the second spherical of these playoffs, helped by Tatum’s season-ending damage in Game 4 of the collection. He acknowledged some nervousness and anxiousness Thursday earlier than enjoying once more within the area earlier than ending simply shy of his second triple-double since returning to play final month.
The Celtics had their four-game successful streak snapped whereas enjoying with out main scorer Jaylen Brown, averaging 28.8 factors, due to left Achilles tendinitis.
Payton Pritchard added 23 factors and Baylor Scheierman had 20, going 6 for 7 from 3-point vary.
The Knicks host Toronto on Friday in a attainable playoff preview and shut in opposition to Charlotte on Sunday. Boston hosts New Orleans on Friday and Orlando on Sunday.
Celtics: Host New Orleans on Friday.
Knicks: Host Toronto on Friday.
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