Seven Opening Night stats to know before Celtics-Knicks

Seven Opening Night stats to know before Celtics-Knicks originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The 2023-24 NBA season for the Boston Celtics is about to begin with an exciting opening matchup against the New York Knicks.

Boston heads into the season as the favorite to win the NBA championship after a busy offseason that saw the acquisitions of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. With arguably the best top-six in the league, the Celtics are in their best position ever to win Banner 18. The journey begins at Madison Square Garden.

The game starts at 7 p.m. ET and can be watched on NBC Sports Boston. Tune in to Celtics Pregame Live at 6 p.m.

Before you get ready to watch the game, here are some interesting stats you should know about the Celtics-Knicks opening night showdown, provided by C’s statistics expert Dick Lipe:

• The Celtics have a 47-30 record in regular-season openers, but they are 12-17 on the road. Their 47 wins are the most of any NBA team.

• Boston has lost their last six season openers when playing on the road. Their most recent road victory in a season opener was in 2009 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, with a score of 95-89.

• This will be the 11th season opener between the Celtics and Knicks. Boston has a record of 4-6 in these matchups, including 1-4 at Madison Square Garden. Four of the Celtics-Knicks season openers have gone into overtime, including a double-OT loss in 2021 with a score of 138-134.

• The Celtics’ only season opener win in New York occurred on October 27, 1958. It was Tommy Heinsohn’s first career game, where he scored 14 points while Bob Cousy scored 35.

• The highest scoring performances by a Celtics player in a regular-season opener are:

  • 46 points: Jaylen Brown vs. New York Knicks, 2021
  • 35 points: Jaylen Brown vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 2022
  • 35 points: Jayson Tatum vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 2022
  • 35 points: Bob Cousy vs. New York Knicks, 1956
  • 35 points: Paul Pierce vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 2004

• Jaylen Brown’s performances in his last three season openers:

  • 2020 vs. Milwaukee Bucks: 33 points (13-24 FG, 3-12 3-PT), five rebounds.
  • 2021 vs. New York Knicks: 46 points (16-30 FG, 8-14 3-PT), nine rebounds.
  • 2022 vs. Philadelphia 76ers: 35 points (13-24 FG, 3-8 3-PT), five rebounds.

• Most points in season openers since 2020 (not including Tuesday):