The response was sorely needed. Over the past 72 hours, Jayson Tatum’s new role as the unquestioned Celtics’ No. 1 option had been scrutinized and challenged since his disappointing performance in Boston’s season-opening loss at Detroit.
Tatum needed a special performance. He needed to put the team on his broad, tattooed shoulder on a national stage against an elite opponent.
That opportunity presented itself Friday in the home opener at TD Garden, when the defending champion New York Knicks arrived, having dropped their debut Tuesday on ring night.
The Knicks played most of Friday evening as if they were still burping up champagne from their title run. But that’s expected and understandable. They are now the Super Bowl for the remaining 29 teams, including the Celtics, who have to prove they can consistently beat this team before they call themselves real contenders.
Tatum wouldn’t allow the Celtics to lose. He scored 7 points in a 53.8-second stretch when it appeared his club would blow a 12-point lead, with Boston earning a 107-103 win that clearly carried more significance than Game 2 of 82.
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The Knicks had flipped this rivalry in recent years. The Celtics’ painful — in many ways — 2025 Eastern Conference semifinal loss affected how the Celtics viewed themselves as a franchise. Watching the Knicks dominate the NBA playoffs en route to their first championship in 53 years while smarting from that shocking first-round loss to the 76ers was excruciating.
Related: Jaylen Brown-Jayson Tatum feud takes new twist
New York fully realizes it will take time to regain the chemistry and cohesion that made it unbeatable during the playoffs. And despite the Celtics working feverishly behind a rugged defense, timely shooting from Paul George, and a key stretch from Neemias Queta, the Knicks were not going to fade.
There’s been many occasions over the past few years when opposing teams caught and passed the Celtics in the final period, when the Celtics’ offense sputtered and the defense slipped. When Jalen Brunson sank an 11-foot pull-up jumper with 1:41 left to slice the Boston lead to 99-98, a late-game collapse appeared to be destiny.
Tatum ensured that wouldn’t happen with his scoring barrage. But just as critical as it was for Tatum to respond from his 13-point, 6-for-23 outing Tuesday in Detroit, it was important for the Celtics to show they can beat the Knicks.
This game may carry little importance in the grand scheme, but for now, for a team trying to mesh with a revamped roster and some philosophical changes from years past, it was significant.
Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) made life difficult for the Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns.
Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) made life difficult for the Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns. Barry Chin/Globe Staff
“I don’t think the psychological war ever ends,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said when asked about beating the Knicks after such a difficult opener. “I just think it goes on as long as you’re in it. That’s a good team. Obviously every team brings in scars from the past, but we also bring in lessons from that.
“Every time you play that team you get better. We want to be a team like that. We feel like they got better because of how good we are. You want to be in games like that because it teaches you about yourself.”
For Tatum, the postgame focus was mostly on his recently posted video revealing he was stunned by the Jaylen Brown trade and Brown’s online reaction indicating he did not believe his former teammate.
While Brown’s 76ers are 2-0 and looking like a real challenger to the Knicks, he still appears confused about why he was uprooted from Boston and appears to be seeking clarity.
Tatum has long been reserved with the media, but he has become more personable and expressive in recent years. Friday, he expressed frustration about the narrative of his relationship with Brown and quite honestly wants to move forward.
“I don’t have any animosity or beef or ill will toward him,” Tatum said. “Since he’s not with the Celtics anymore, the conversations haven’t been enough about what we accomplished. It’s turned into this drama type of thing. If there’s a conversation to be had, we can definitely have that conversation. I welcome that.
“This ain’t [expletive] Shaq and Kobe. There’s no beef. It’s not about that. It should be more praise.”
Shifting back to Friday, Tatum admitted there was a sense of satisfaction in beating the Knicks. New York passed the Celtics in the NBA hierarchy two years ago and there’s a determination to get even, to transform from a dark horse to a juggernaut with the likes of George and Mitchell Robinson.
Mitchell Robinson (left) dunked on former Knicks teammates Mikal Bridges (25) and Karl-Anthony Towns in the fourth quarter.
Mitchell Robinson (left) dunked on former Knicks teammates Mikal Bridges (25) and Karl-Anthony Towns in the fourth quarter.
Tatum atoned for his putrid outing against the Pistons, giving the home fans hope that this club is capable of special things. It’s only Game 2, but this one meant something. The Celtics needed this for their own confidence and self-esteem.
And that also applies to Tatum himself.
“It was big from the standpoint of how we played last game and how we felt after last game,” he said. “That was a quiet flight back home. Everybody kind of felt it. [The Knicks are] a hell of a team. They’ve done it. They’ve won a championship. So first game at home, protecting home court, and just really coming and responding.
“They’re obviously one of the best teams in the league and they’ve got their core back from last year. So it was good to play a game like that against a team that just won a championship.”