Jayson Tatum is expected to play in the Boston Celtics' game against the New York Knicks, boosting the Eastern Conference leaders. The Celtics (40-16) have only Xavier Tillman on the injury list. The Knicks will miss Mitchell Robinson and have Josh Hart day-to-day.

Negated in the effort was a 36-point outing from Jalen Brunson, which was perhaps the one thing that kept things at least somewhat respect before Tatum's oppressive onslaught—assisted by a 6-of-8 tally off the bench for Payton Pritchard—allowed Boston to create healthy distance and then some.

Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who scored a game-high 40 points in the win, said he was motivated to have a big night by the sight of at least one movie star in attendance.