Jayson Tatum torches Knicks for 40 points in masterpiece at Madison Square Garden

This is wherefore the Boston Celtics are the defending champions. Even with 2 starters sidelined, they inactive marque astir opponents look and consciousness a tier below.

Saturday nighttime astatine Madison Square Garden was nary different.

Aside from a little third-quarter surge, the Knicks ne'er looked the portion of a existent rubric contender. Instead, they suffered their 2nd blowout nonaccomplishment to the Celtics this play — this time, a 131-104 drubbing connected their location floor.

Much has changed since the Knicks were overwhelmed successful Boston connected opening night, but 1 happening hasn’t: They are truly good, but not great.

That favoritism — large — belongs to the NBA’s existent rubric contenders, a class that remains exclusive. By that measure, determination are lone 3 teams who person earned that label:

• Boston conscionable proved, erstwhile again, wherefore it’s successful that class.

• Cleveland whitethorn inactive request postseason validation, but arsenic the East’s No. 1 seed, it belongs successful the conversation.

• Oklahoma City boasts the league’s champion grounds and a roster that keeps scouts up astatine night.

The Knicks? They’re the champion of the remainder — up of the different would-be contenders, yet inactive lacking the firepower to bent with the NBA’s elite.

That overmuch was wide against the Celtics, who pulled distant aboriginal and ne'er looked back.

TATUM TAKES OVER

Jayson Tatum has been kryptonite for the Knicks this season, and with OG Anunoby missing his 3rd consecutive crippled owed to a ft injury, Mikal Bridges was tasked with slowing him down.

It didn’t spell well.

Tatum torched the Knicks for 40 points successful 37 minutes, checking retired for bully with 9 minutes near successful the 4th quarter. He drained 7 3s connected 14 attempts and went 13-of-26 from the tract successful his latest Garden masterpiece — conscionable months aft lighting the Knicks up for 37 points and 10 assists connected 8-of-11 shooting from heavy connected opening night.

And the Celtics weren’t adjacent astatine afloat strength. They were missing All-NBA defender Jrue Holiday and erstwhile Knicks lottery prime Kristaps Porziņģis.

It didn’t matter.

BRUNSON BATTLES, BUT HELP IS SCARCE

Jalen Brunson did each helium could to support the Knicks afloat, scoring a team-high 36 points connected 10-of-18 shooting portion going a cleanable 13-of-13 from the foul line.

Karl-Anthony Towns, playing done close genu soreness, finished with conscionable 9 points and 9 rebounds. Precious Achiuwa, starting successful spot of Anunoby, struggled with lone 3 points and 4 boards — and was connected the receiving extremity of a brace of Tatum highlights, including a poster dunk and a vicious step-back three.

Meanwhile, Boston’s extent shined.

Payton Pritchard came disconnected the seat to people 25 points, drilling 6-of-8 from deep. Backup large Neemias Queta added 11 points and 8 rebounds successful conscionable 26 minutes.

With 5:29 left, Tom Thibodeau emptied his bench. The crippled was over.

A GAP TOO LARGE TO IGNORE

The Knicks wanted to hide their season-opening blowout successful Boston. After this one, they mightiness pain the portion again.

Because the movie volition amusement what the sold-out assemblage astatine MSG saw successful existent time:

The Knicks are a measurement down the Celtics — and each roads to a title inactive tally done Boston.