BOSTON — The Knicks were still stuck in the mud. Especially a scoreless and benched Mikal Bridges.
By the time the Knicks climbed out of their hole, it was too late because Jayson Tatum sent them right back down.
Tatum caught fire down the stretch of Boston’s 107-103 victory Friday night against the Knicks, who fell to 0-2 as the reigning champs.
The Celtics star dropped nine of his 36 points in the final six minutes, including two jumpers in the last minute as New York’s defense failed to key on the opponent’s top threat.
The Knicks offense, meanwhile, was riding the struggle bus and the team trailed for all but two minutes of the second half.
Jalen Brunson missed 10 of his 17 shots in 37 minutes, following up on his disappointing opening night against the Sixers. Bridges also disappeared again.
He shot 0-for-8 and was benched for the last 8 ½ minutes in favor of Deuce McBride, who was a bright spot with 20 points off the bench.
Still, the Knicks cut the deficit to one on Brunson’s pull-up with 1:41 remaining — a familiar play during the plentiful New York comebacks of the past.
This time, Tatum responded with seven straight Celtics points and Karl-Anthony Towns committed a costly turnover on a moving screen.