Jayson Tatum scored 36 points to lead the Boston Celtics to a 107-103 victory over the defending NBA champion New York Knicks in Friday night’s home opener at TD Garden. It marked Tatum’s highest point total since the 2024-25 season and showcased a return to form following a challenging start to the season.

The forward’s performance stood out particularly in the third quarter, when he hit a deep three-pointer, drew a shooting foul, and finished with a strong two-handed dunk—moves that have been less frequent since he returned from an Achilles injury last season. Tatum complemented his scoring with nine rebounds, seven assists, and three steals while playing 37 minutes, shooting three of ten from beyond the arc and committing only two turnovers.

The win came three days after the Celtics’ season-opening loss to the Detroit Pistons, in which Tatum struggled, going six for 23 from the field as Boston squandered a 22-point second-half lead in a 121-113 defeat. Tatum acknowledged the need for a rebound performance against a team that has previously won an NBA title.

“I mean, you saw it,” said Paul George of the Knicks after the game. “You know when a guy is in his element. I thought his dribbles were timed, his steps were timely. Nothing was out of place. Everything just seemed like it was tight, it was sharp. He didn’t play around with the defender. He didn’t play around with the ball. Everything was crisp.”

Celtics guard Derrick White also credited Tatum’s impact, noting during an on-court interview that his teammate’s skills were a key factor in the team’s victory.

Boston now improves to 1-1 on the season and will have several days off before facing the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden on Monday. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers, who sit at 2-0, are set to host the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.

Although the game was a regular-season matchup early in the NBA calendar, Tatum’s performance signaled a potentially important turning point for the Celtics as they aim to build momentum this season.