Celtics vs. Knicks: When everything settles after the NBA trade deadline, the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks will be playing on distinct paths in 2023–24. The Celtics, who continue to lead the Eastern Conference, made the stable decision to forego any significant changes.
In the meanwhile, the Knicks added two noteworthy players to their roster: OG Anunoby earlier in January and Bojan Bogdanovic. In-depth analysis of the two teams’ play, major player signings, and potential effects on their postseason paths—which might include a matchup between the Celtics and Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals—are covered in this article.
Comparison of Celtics vs. Knicks after 2024 Trade Deadline
Check out the complete analysis of Celtics vs. Knicks after the 2024 trade deadline below:
Celtics vs. Knicks: Starting Lineups
- Boston Celtics: Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis
- New York Knicks: OG Anunoby, Bojan Bogdanovic, Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, Isaiah Hartenstein
The Knicks use Jalen Brunson, a point guard who has become a scoring machine with an average of 27.5 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.9 rebounds, as a point guard. This puts him directly in line with the seasoned Celtic playmaker Jrue Holiday, who averages 13.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. The offensive explosiveness of Brunson offers the Knicks a big edge when it comes to backcourt coordination.
Derrick White, who moves to the shooting guard position, offers the Celtics a well-rounded game with 15.3 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.9 rebounds. The defensive strength and offensive contributions of the Knicks’ OG Anunoby—who averages 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists—meet his flexibility. This matchup is crucial to the game because it highlights not just scoring and playmaking but also the influence on the defensive end.
For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum, a power forward, leads the team in scoring and rebounding (27.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists). He will play the Knicks’ Julius Randle, who averages 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists and is a formidable player in his own way. Two versatile forwards square off in this game, with Tatum’s ability to score giving the Celtics a big advantage.
Kristaps Porzingis, who plays centre, is the Celtics’ main man and provides an offensive spark with his 20.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. The centre for the Knicks, Isaiah Hartenstein, prioritises rebounds, pulling down 8.7 rebounds while dishing out 2.0 assists and 7.1 points. Porzingis’s flexibility as a scorer is showcased in this duel versus Hartenstein’s emphasis on board control.
Advantage: Boston Celtics
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Bench
- Boston Celtics: Sam Hauser, Xavier Tillman, Jaden Springer, Payton Pritchard, Svi Mykhailiuk, Al Horford, Neemias Queta, Luke Kornet
- New York Knicks: Donte DiVincenzo, Alec Burks, Miles McBride, Josh Hart, Precious Achiuwa, Taj Gibson, Jericho Sims
The importance of the bench in the chess match that is an NBA game cannot be emphasised. Both the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks have standout second units that are essential to their teams’ overall success.
The Celtics’ bench is made up of both fresh, exciting players and seasoned veterans. Veteran veteran Al Horford offers variety and leadership, and young players like Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard give fresh enthusiasm.
The New York Knicks, on the other hand, take pride in their bench, which has been essential to their success. After acquiring Bojan Bogdanovic, Donte DiVincenzo was acquired. He is probably going to be a sixth man going forward, but in the previous six games, he has averaged an incredible 26.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. Both Josh Hart and Precious Achiuwa provide 7.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists as well as 3.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists respectively. Hart and Achiuwa are known for their defensive toughness and rebounding ability.
In addition, since OG Anunoby was acquired, the Knicks have the second-best defensive bench in the NBA. Because of their strong defence, DiVincenzo’s ability to score, Hart and Achiuwa’s well-rounded contributions, and their combined skill, the Knicks have one of the league’s most influential benches.
The performance of the benches for the Celtics and Knicks will be crucial as they get ready for their games. The Knicks have an explosive second unit that can turn the tide in their favour, while the Celtics rely on a more steady and balanced approach. Beyond the starting lineups, the chess match might come down to the tactical usage of bench players, which could be the difference between victory and defeat in their Eastern Conference matchups.
Advantage: New York Knicks
Joe Mazzulla vs. Tom Thibodeau
The story of the coaching rivalry between Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks and Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics takes an interesting turn. Since assuming leadership following Ime Udoka’s departure, Mazzulla has brought about a notable evolution in the Celtics’ style of play. Mazzulla has emphasised three-point shooting and increased offensive possessions per game by adopting a vertical and high-tempo attacking style.
The efficiency of Mazzulla’s coaching style has been demonstrated by the Celtics’ rapid ascent to a remarkable 41-12 record this season, following their run to the Eastern Conference Finals the previous year. The Celtics have been revitalised by Mazzulla’s offensive revolution, which has made them a formidable and dynamic force on the floor. The squad has found new life thanks to the emphasis on attacking efficiency and pace, which stands in sharp contrast to their former playing approach.
On the opposite side of the floor, the New York Knicks, led by the seasoned and highly experienced coach Tom Thibodeau, have amassed a strong 33-20 record. The Knicks are the best defensive club in the NBA since January, which is a strong testament to Thibodeau’s coaching abilities. With Thibodeau emphasising teamwork and defensive toughness, the Knicks have become a force to be reckoned with in the fiercely contested Eastern Conference.
Tom Thibodeau has the upper hand in the coaching competition because of his wealth of experience, his capacity for making in-the-moment adjustments, and his playoff zeal. Having coached for many years, Thibodeau has a thorough knowledge of the subtleties of the game. Even though he took over the most skilled team in the league, Mazzulla has had a significant influence on the Celtics, and his coaching career is one to follow.
Advantage: New York Knicks
Boston Celtics Advantages
With their numerous advantages, the Boston Celtics are becoming a dominant force in the NBA and a serious challenger. The league’s best starting five—Julie Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porzingis—are the foundation of their supremacy. This impressive group of musicians not only has exceptional individual talent but also has a unique chemistry that takes their combined performance to new heights.
The Celtics, under coach Joe Mazzulla, have developed a style of play that combines strong individual performance with unified cooperation. This style, which is characterised by unrelenting pace in transition, accurate passing, and an unrelenting onslaught of three-point shooting, gives even role players the chance to shine. The Celtics are a continuous danger thanks to their explosive offensive style, which also keeps opposition defences off balance and entertains spectators with a high-scoring show.
The attacking ability of the Celtics is one of their most distinctive features. The team’s dedication to spacing, effective ball movement, and a variety of sharpshooters, along with the star power of Tatum and Brown, results in an attacking lineup that is surprising and flexible. Their intricacy in the game is enhanced by their ability to consistently spread the floor with three-point threats, which makes them difficult for opposition defences to contain.
The Celtics have an amazing degree of variety on defence. They are a defensive powerhouse, emphasising smooth switching and smothering opponents with well-executed defensive strategies. The Celtics are positioned as a club capable of containing even the most formidable offences in the NBA because of their superior defensive capabilities and the presence of outstanding individual defenders.
The Boston Celtics are a formidable force in the NBA, with an unmatched starting five, a flexible playing approach, outstanding offensive and defensive capabilities, and the exceptional skill of Tatum and Brown. The Celtics emerge as a force to be reckoned with, ready for success and motivated to blaze their own road to NBA greatness as they overcome the obstacles of the regular season and focus on prospective postseason matches.
New York Knicks Advantages
With a unique mix of advantages that solidify their position as a powerful force in the fiercely contested Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks enter the NBA stage unarmed.
The Knicks’ shared dedication to defence and cohesive teamwork is key to their identity. Because of Thibodeau’s influence, the players have developed a feeling of cohesion and purpose, and they are more receptive to his methods. They have a strong team dynamic that shows on both sides of the court, which adds to their overall success and makes them a difficult opponent to play against.
Tom Thibodeau, who has had great success as a coach, offers the Knicks a plethora of postseason experience. As the club prepares for postseason competition, Thibodeau is a tremendous asset because of his ability to manage high-stakes scenarios, make strategic adjustments with ease, and have a deep knowledge of playoff intensity.
The Knicks have established themselves as the best defensive club in the NBA since January, demonstrating a shared dedication to containing opposing offences. With a focus on team defence and his ability to teach, Thibodeau has turned the Knicks into a defensive juggernaut that disrupts opponents’ game plans and sets the tone on that end of the court.
The Knicks are strong on defence and have a varied attacking repertoire. Their scoring capacity has been strengthened by the additions of OG Anunoby in January and Jalen Brunson during the previous campaign. Anunoby’s flexibility and Brunson’s scoring prowess combine to create an offensive line that can rival the league’s top units.
The Knicks have a big edge because of their bench performance. The Knicks’ second unit is an essential component because of the defensive toughness and rebounding ability of supporting players like Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo, and Precious Achiuwa.
Celtics vs. Knicks: Which Eastern Conference Team Is Superior?
The Boston Celtics brashly declare themselves the dominant team in the Eastern Conference war. With a starting lineup that includes Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum, they dominate the conference rankings and tower above their rivals. This strong group not only plays as a cohesive one but also as an individual force, which makes the Celtics stand out in a league full of talented teams.
Their outstanding play at home and the star power on the squad are what really cement their claim to supremacy. With a tough 25-3 home record, the Celtics have the strongest home record in the league. They also possess an unmatched resilience and ability to make their stadium an unbreakable fortress.
Their recent actions only help to further establish their dominance. The Celtics are more than just on a winning streak right now—they have impressively won four of the past five games—they are establishing themselves at a pivotal point in the season. Their recent acceleration of progress is a testament to their flexibility, tenacity, and unrelenting pursuit of perfection.
The Celtics’ claim to the top spot in the Eastern Conference is built on a dynamic combination of skill, togetherness, and an unbreakable spirit rather than just statistical superiority as they navigate the ups and downs of the season. The Boston Celtics are the clear leaders in the Eastern Conference and are prepared to write their own story of NBA success thanks to their impressive home record, recent victories, and a lineup playing at full capacity.
This is the comparison of the Celtics vs. Knicks after the 2024 Trade Deadline. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
