LOS ANGELES (United States) — Jayson Tatum scored 36 points as the Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks 107-103 to leave the NBA champions waiting for their first win of the season.
Tatum, back at full fitness after missing most of last season with a ruptured Achilles, delivered a mesmerizing performance at the TD Garden to give Boston their first win of the campaign after an opening-day loss to Detroit.
The six-time NBA All-Star shot 14-of-26 from the field, including three three-pointers, with nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
Nine of Tatum’s points came in the fourth quarter as the Knicks, who had trailed by as many as 12 points early in the final frame, closed to within one point.
Tatum’s superb all-round display earned words of admiration from Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla.
“That was a really well-balanced game from JT on both ends, and you were able to kind of see his greatness,” Mazzulla said after the home opener.
Tatum received scoring support from new signing Paul George and Neemias Queta, who both finished with 15 points apiece.
The Knicks were led by 22 points from Karl-Anthony Towns, with OG Anunoby and Miles McBride scoring 20 each. Knicks talisman Jalen Brunson chipped in with 19.
The San Antonio Spurs also fell to 0-2 after losing a hard-fought Texas derby 114-110 to the Houston Rockets, AFP reported.
A sensational block from Houston’s Amen Thompson denied Victor Wembanyama from what would have been a game-tying basket at the buzzer to preserve the Rockets unbeaten start to the campaign.
Alperen Sengun led the Rockets scoring with 29 points while Thompson and Kevin Durant added 20 points apiece.
Thompson’s decisive block left Durant in awe. “What a game-saving block,” Durant said afterwards. “It’s insane how he got up so quick to block that.”
French star Wembanyama led the Spurs scoring with 25 points, with Dylan Harper adding 20 and De’Aaron Fox 19.
In Los Angeles, Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic combined for 51 points as the Lakers defeated the Clippers in the city derby.
The Clippers led by 11 points in the second quarter before the Lakers poured in 39 points in the third quarter to build a decisive advantage.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, meanwhile, stayed unbeaten with a 115-93 defeat of the Orlando Magic on the road.
Minnesota’s new-look offense, with Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball working in tandem, produced a balanced scoring display that saw seven players finish in double figures.
Edwards and Jaden McDaniels each netted 15 points to top the scoring. Orlando fell to 0-2 with the loss.
