"NBA needs to drug test them" - Josh Hart drops hilarious reaction after Celtics rain down 29 3-pointers on Knicks
The New York Knicks were overwhelmed at TD Garden on Tuesday as the reigning champions Boston Celtics tipped off the 2024-25 NBA season with a dominant 132-109 victory. Led by superstar Jayson Tatum, the Celtics tied the all-time NBA record for most 3-pointers made in a single game, sinking 29 of their 61 attempts from beyond the arc.
Knicks star Josh Hart was left stunned by Boston's jaw-dropping shooting display. Following the game, Hart humorously reacted to the Celtics' incredible performance, jokingly calling for the NBA to drug test Tatum and his teammates.
"The NBA needs to drug test them dudes. I ain’t ever seen anything like that," Hart said after the game, as per The Athletic's James L. Edwards.
Tatum spearheaded the Celtics' 3-point barrage, leading the team with a game-high eight triples. Derrick White followed closely with six, while Jaylen Brown added five of his own.
Jrue Holiday (4), Al Horford (3), Sam Hauser (2) and Payton Pritchard (1) also contributed from long range, combining for a historic shooting performance against the Knicks.
Josh Hart lauds Boston's incredible shooting display
Following the New York Knicks' defeat at the hands of the Boston Celtics, Josh Hart also acknowledged the impressive performance from his opponents. Hart gave credit to the Celtics for bringing their A-game on opening night, which also celebrated their championship victory from last season.
“They tied an NBA record in 3s," said Hart. "You have like three to four games a year where the team shoots the ball at an absurd clip, and sometimes there’s not much you can do about it. You’ve got to give them credit. Ring night and they came out."
Meanwhile, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau emphasized the importance of making multiple defensive efforts when facing an explosive team like the Celtics.
“Defensively we have to be a lot better than we were,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said when the carnage was complete. “There was some indecision. When you play a team like that you have to scramble. One effort’s not enough, you have to be second and third and fourth effort. And even then they still have the ability to make.”
New York's next challenge comes on Friday against another offensive powerhouse, the Indiana Pacers. Coach Thibodeau will be looking for a significantly improved defensive effort from his players as they aim to put the disappointment of the Celtics game behind them.
Also read: Jayson Tatum Stats Tonight: How did the Celtics superstar fare against Knicks? (Oct. 22) | 2024-25 NBA season