The Celtics dared Josh Hart to beat them. He obliged.
After a miserable first half, Hart caught fire down the stretch of Thursday’s 112-106 victory over the Celtics — burying his open and contested looks to the delight of an enthusiastic MSG crowd.
“Their game plan was to let him shoot,” coach Mike Brown said, “and he stepped up and he knocked down big shots.”
Josh Hart puts up a 3-point shot as Jayson Tatum jumps to defend during the second quarter of the Knicks’ 112-106 win over the Celtics on April 9, 2026 at the Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Hart scored 15 of his game-high 26 points in the fourth quarter, burying all three of his trey attempts while suppressing Jayson Tatum on the other end with pressure defense. He was the unlikely hero following his dud of a first half, with Hart going into the break with more turnovers than points.
The final five minutes was a much different story, pushing the third-seeded Knicks to within two games of Boston for second in the East — and one game above the No. 4 Cavs. For the Knicks, a first-round series against either Toronto or Atlanta is now the most likely scenario.
“The Hart-breaker comes through,” Karl-Anthony Towns said.
Asked if he was surprised defenses are still leaving him open despite shooting over 40 percent on 3s this season, Hart replied, “It all depends. For me, I always talk about how I’m the fifth option, sixth option. My thought process always is, how can I get these guys easy shots, get these guys involved, get them feeling good? Am I surprised with that? Nah, because I don’t go out there, like, you know what, I’m going to shoot seven, eight 3s. That’s not really my cup of tea. But when I’m open, I know I’ve got to shoot those shots. But they’re probably looking like he might shoot three or four, so let him have that.”
Whatever the reason for Boston’s strategy, it backfired. The Celtics also had no answer for the Towns-Jalen Brunson two-man game, which has emerged this week as a powerful force.
Just like three nights earlier in a victory over the Hawks, the Knicks worked Towns and Brunson in halfcourt sets. Pick-and-rolls, pick-and-pops, preferable switches.
Jalen Brunson drives to the basket as Sam Hauser defends during the third quarter of the Knicks’ win over the Celtics. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
It turned into an unstoppable strategy as the Knicks (52-28) moved one step closer to clinching third in the East while keeping alive their hopes of supplanting Boston at No. 2.
“We’re running it a little bit more than what we were doing before,” Brown said of the Towns-Brunson pick-and-roll. “And guys are getting a rhythm. Guys are getting a rhythm at the right time.”
Brunson picked up five of his 10 assists in the fourth quarter, finishing with 25 points. Towns had 16 points and 12 rebounds. So while Hart got the biggest bouquet Thursday, Towns and Brunson were the catalysts.
Karl-Anthony Towns reacts after a foul was called on OG Anunoby during the third quarter of the Knicks’ win over the Celtics. Getty Images
“I just think [myself and Brunson] had convos in the last few days and those convos are showing up in the game, especially in the last two fourth quarters,” Towns said. “In high-pressure situations, we’ve leaned on each other and trusted each other in those situations and it’s been very good for our team.”
The Celtics (54-26) were playing without their top star, Jaylen Brown, who sat with Achilles tendinitis. His DNP felt hypocritical after Brown spent months needling the Knicks and their fans, including a comment just this week about seeking revenge for last year’s elimination.
Of course, revenge for the Celtics can only be accomplished in the playoffs, and Brown’s absence theoretically provided an easier avenue to face the Knicks in the second round.
But there were other reasons for Brown to rest. First, the Achilles soreness has been an ongoing issue for him this season. Also, Thursday’s game was the first in a back-to-back set and the Celtics have previously alternated rest days for Brown and Tatum. So don’t be surprised if Tatum sits Friday’s game against the Pelicans.
And lastly, Tatum characterized Thursday’s game as an emotional hurdle to clear after tearing his Achilles on the Garden court almost a year ago. It was his first time returning to the spot of the injury. He apparently needed MSG redemption more than Brown.
“Obviously, at some point I knew I would have to get over that hurdle and play there again,” Tatum said. “So, it’s going to have to be this Thursday.”
If Tatum cleared a mental hurdle, it didn’t help with his shot. He was off and particularly struggled down the stretch while guarded by Hart, finishing with 24 points on 7-of-22 shooting. The Celtics were outscored by 16 points in his 40 minutes. But the Knicks were killed by Payton Pritchard, who went off for 23 points with six assists on 10-of-20 shooting. When the Knicks threatened to pull away in the third quarter with a 13-point lead, Pritchard dragged the Celtics back.
It led to a nip-and-tuck fourth quarter, with the deficit never hitting double digits for the final 18 minutes. In the end, the Towns-Brunson tandem — along with efficient shooting from Hart — carried the result.
