Knicks don’t look like contenders as they get thrashed by Celtics again

BOSTON — The Knicks still can’t compete with the Celtics. 

Despite showing more fight than the previous game in Cleveland and playing better without Mikal Bridges, the Knicks were ultimately pummeled Sunday afternoon in Beantown, 118-105. 

The only encouraging moments arrived in the third quarter, when Bridges was benched for Miles McBride and New York cut the deficit to 4.

But Bridges was reinserted, Jalen Brunson needed a quick rest to start the fourth quarter, and the Knicks reverted to matador defense down the stretch.

Bridges, who was acquired for five first-round picks in the summer to combat Boston’s elite wings, managed just 14 points but nearly half were deep into garbage time. The Knicks were outscored by 23 points in his 28 minutes.

Other than that third-quarter stretch, the afternoon was another Knicks ride on the struggle bus against Boston. 

Within three minutes of tipoff, Tom Thibodeau’s squad was already down by 10. 

After the first quarter, the Knicks had allowed 39 points and were trailing by 19.

Jayson Tatum, their tormentor this season, carved the Knicks up early and finished one assist shy of a triple-double with 25 points.  

And for the third time in three matchups this season, the Knicks trailed by double digits for most of the game. They played and carried themselves like they didn’t belong in the same gym. 

So until further notice, the Knicks can’t be classified as contenders. They’re too far below the Celtics and Cavaliers to be taken seriously. Sunday was just the latest example. In three games against Boston, they’ve been outscored by 63 points and struggle to defend the 3-point line.

Thibodeau tried to make some adjustments. He put OG Anunoby on Tatum, rather than Bridges. It didn’t pay dividends until the second half, when McBride was also on the floor to man the perimeter.

Karl-Anthony Towns again looked lost trying to defend Boston’s screens, allowing Kristaps Porzingis to pop into countless open treys. The Knicks center caught fire in the third quarter but appeared to aggravate his knee on a dunk attempt, and looked uncomfortable in the final minutes. 

The Knicks had no valid excuses. Josh Hart returned from a two-game absence because of a sore knee. He finished an assist shy of a triple-double with 20 points. Anunoby also played but was ineffective and easy to miss. Their opening night lineup was on the floor.

And just like opening night, the Knicks left Boston with a decisive defeat.