The Boston Celtics' quest to lock down the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference will have to wait another day. In a thrilling, back-and-forth battle at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, the New York Knicks edged out a 112-106 victory, showcasing the intensity we can expect when the playoffs arrive.

With Jaylen Brown sidelined, the Celtics leaned heavily on Jayson Tatum, who delivered a near triple-double with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists. The bench provided a massive spark, led by Payton Pritchard's 23 points and a spectacular second-half eruption from Baylor Scheierman, who poured in 20 points on a scorching 6-for-7 from beyond the arc.

Despite a cold start from deep and a 13-point third-quarter deficit, Boston fought back to make it a clutch-time affair. However, the Knicks' star duo of Jalen Brunson (25 points, 9 assists) and Josh Hart (23 points) had just enough to secure a pivotal win for their own playoff positioning.

The immediate takeaway is simple: the Celtics' magic number remains at one. A single win in their final two games, or one more Knicks loss, will officially secure that coveted second seed. While the loss stings, Boston controls its own destiny heading into a quick-turnaround home game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.

Beyond the standings, this game highlighted the Celtics' depth. With a key starter out, role players like Scheierman and Walsh stepped into larger roles and delivered, a promising sign for the grueling postseason ahead. For the Knicks, the win was a major statement, giving them a one-game cushion for the No. 3 seed and proving they can go toe-to-toe with the East's elite.