The Boston Celtics have a chance to secure the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs by defeating the New York Knicks on Thursday. Boston, with a record of 54-25, needs just one more win or a New York loss (51-28) to lock in the No. 2 spot. The Knicks are also contending with the Cleveland Cavaliers (50-29) for the third and fourth seeds in the East.

This upcoming game will be significant for Jayson Tatum as it marks his return to Madison Square Garden since his Achilles injury last season during a playoff game against the Knicks. Despite his reservations, Tatum, averaging 21.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in 15 games since his return, confirmed that he will play in the game.

The Celtics boast a strong record of 13-2 in the games where Tatum has played this season. Moreover, the team has won four consecutive games and seven of their last eight, demonstrating solid form leading up to the playoffs. Tatum emphasized the importance of gearing up at the right time post-All-Star break to compete effectively for a championship.

Meanwhile, the Knicks, coming off a three-game winning streak, have been led by Jalen Brunson, their top scorer with 26 points per game, and Karl-Anthony Towns, averaging 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds. Brunson’s scoring prowess, combined with Towns’ passing and shooting abilities, have been key factors in the Knicks’ recent success.

Both teams are gearing up for a crucial matchup that could have implications on their seeding for the playoffs, making it a pivotal game as they aim to ramp up their performance heading into the postseason.