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

The New York Knicks lost their second consecutive game to open the 2026-27 season, falling to the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on Friday, 107-103.

With the defeat, the Knicks became the first defending NBA champions to begin the next season 0-2 since the Dallas Mavericks started 0-3 to tip off the 2011-12 campaign.

Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 36 points, hitting two key baskets in the final 1:24 of the fourth quarter to give Boston a five-point lead after the Knicks cut their deficit to 99-98. His 3-pointer with 30.3 seconds remaining effectively put the game away.

During the previous five NBA seasons, the reigning league champions got off to the following starts:

Oklahoma City Thunder: 8-0 (eventually starting 24-1)
Boston Celtics: 4-0
Denver Nuggets: 4-0
Golden State Warriors: 1-1
Milwaukee Bucks: 1-1

This story will be updated with more information.