“When Karl Anthony-Towns is on the court against any of the top-10 offenses in the league this season, the Knicks’ defensive rating is 127,” Tim Bontemps said. “The worst defensive rating in the league is 118. So to say that is bad is an understatement.”

Sunday's 118-105 decision dropped them to 0-7 against the leading squads of the NBA (Boston, Cleveland, Oklahoma City) and their first instance of consecutive lost games since Jan. 3-6. A tense afternoon became downright horrifying when Karl-Anthony Towns limped to TD Garden's visitors' bench as Boston began its final push forward to victory.

The Knicks made a brief comeback attempt in the third quarter, but the Celtics were largely in control in Sunday's win.

Jayson Tatum had 25 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists as the Boston Celtics extended their winning streak to five games with a 118-105 victory over the visiting New York Knicks on Sunday.

The New York Knicks have done everything except beat the NBA’s elite this season. And after this weekend, it feels like they never will. After the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers thumped New York by 37 points Friday night,