The Boston Celtics beat the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night to improve to 54-25 on the season. Jaylen Brown led the way as Boston extended its lead over the New York Knicks for the second seed with three games remaining.
The Celtics now turn their attention to Madison Square Garden. The matchup carries weight on multiple levels. Boston is 1-2 against the Knicks this season, though Jayson Tatum missed all three after rupturing his Achilles at the Garden last May. He returned to the lineup last month, and is set to return to MSG for the first time since Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals.
After the win over Charlotte, Brown spoke about what he saw from the Hornets. His assessment said as much about Boston’s own journey as it did about their opponent.
Brown Sees a Familiar Reflection
Brown offered a specific comparison when describing the Hornets.
“This team kind of reminds me of us when we were younger,” Brown said.
He expanded on what stood out. Brown praised Charlotte as a young group that shoots the ball well, carries a fearlessness on the floor, and came out ready to compete. He noted the variety of players capable of hurting opponents on any given night.
The observation carried perspective. Brown remembers what it felt like to be that team. Young, talented, dangerous in stretches, but still learning how to sustain it over a full season. The Celtics grew through those years, got over the hurdles and won a championship. Brown is now the veteran watching the next generation go through the same process.
Celtics Could Be Shorthanded Against the Knicks
Thursday’s game comes with a significant caveat. Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Neemias Queta, and Sam Hauser are all listed as questionable. If all four sit, Boston would be without the majority of its starting lineup at the Garden.
Tatum will play. He confirmed that he chose to suit up in New York to get past the emotional hurdle of returning to the building where his season ended last year. He acknowledged it is not a game he is looking forward to, but described it as something he needed to face rather than avoid.
If the Celtics rest their questionable starters, players like Nikola Vucevic, Luka Garza, and Baylor Scheierman would see expanded roles against New York.
GettyJayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 12, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
What the Matchup Looks Like
Both the Celtics and the Knicks rank inside the top eight defensively, with Boston fourth at a 111.7 rating and New York eighth at 112.3.
The Knicks won both meetings in New York this season by double digits. Boston’s lone victory came at home in December. Adding Tatum to the equation for the first time changes the calculus. If they are missing four starters, it will change the equation again.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET.
Jaylen Brown #7 and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Final Word for the Celtics
Brown’s comment about the Hornets was a compliment. It was also a reminder of how far this Celtics team has come. Boston was that young, fearless group not long ago. Now they are the standard other teams aspire to reach.
Thursday’s game matters for both the standings and for Tatum. The last time he stepped onto that floor, his season ended. This time, he walks back in with a team built to contend.
The second seed is nearly locked. The roster is getting healthy. The playoffs are close.
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