Boston cannot afford another loss after blowing a 22-point lead against Detroit. The Celtics need to fix their interior defense immediately if they want to beat the Knicks on Friday night. Per Yahoo Sports, the team simply cannot be a contender if Jayson Tatum has many more games like his 6-of-23 shooting night. The pressure is on the big men to deliver right now.
The $100 Million Center Problem
The Celtics have over $100 million invested in their frontcourt trio of Mitchell Robinson, Neemias Queta, and Luka Garza. Yet, these three combined for just nine points and nine rebounds in the opener. That performance is unacceptable against a team that lacks depth inside. The Knicks have Karl-Anthony Towns, but they are not as deep on the interior since Robinson left for Boston. The Celtics must use this mismatch to their advantage.
Tatum Needs a Big Night
Jayson Tatum is the best player on the roster and he must carry the team after the Jaylen Brown trade. He is not going to shoot 0-for-7 from three-point range every single night. The team needs him to be an aircraft carrier starting Friday. While Tatum struggles, newcomer Paul George showed he can raise the ceiling with a 38-point debut. George was 7-of-12 from three-point range in the opener. That kind of scoring depth is exactly what Boston needs right now.
A Chance to Reset at Home
On Friday night, the 2026-27 season will see the Celtics return home for the first time. They must avoid an 0-2 start after a disappointing loss in the opener. Mitchell Robinson knows the team must do better. His comments from Thursday’s practice show he understands the stakes. A 76ers victory ruined the Knicks’ banner-raising night as they also suffered a loss. Both teams are looking to bounce back, but only one can win.
George proved he can deliver big numbers with his 38-point debut. The fans were upset about the Brown trade, but they will likely cheer for George. Boston needs that energy to hold off New York. The interior battle will decide the game. If the big men do not step up, the season could start in the wrong direction. The numbers from Tuesday show a clear path to failure.