Knicks become first defending NBA champions to begin season 0-2 in 15 years, lose 107-103 to Celtics

The last reigning NBA champs to begin the next season with two consecutive defeats were the 2011-12 Dallas Mavericks.

By Ian Casselberry · Yahoo

Published: Saturday, 24 October 2026 at 1:51 AM

Key Things to Know

The New York Knicks fell 107-103 to the Boston Celtics, opening their title defense at 0-2.
The Knicks are the first reigning NBA champions to start 0-2 since the 2011-12 Dallas Mavericks.
Jayson Tatum scored 36 points to lead Boston to its first win of the campaign.

The Story in 60 Seconds

The defending NBA champion New York Knicks dropped to 0-2 on the season after falling 107-103 to the Boston Celtics on Friday night at TD Garden. This defeat makes New York the first reigning champion to begin a season with two straight losses since the Dallas Mavericks did so in the 2011-12 campaign.

Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 36 points, including 25 in the second half, while Paul George and Neemias Queta added 15 points each. The Knicks rallied from a 10-point deficit entering the fourth quarter, but Boston held on late to secure its first victory of the season.

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Knicks become first defending NBA champions to begin season 0-2 in 15 years, lose 107-103 to Celtics

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