Knicks’ Mike Brown Praises Celtics Despite Slow Start

The New York Knicks defeated the Celtics 105-95 on Friday night, handing Boston its second loss of the season.

Despite Boston’s rocky 0-2 start, Knicks head coach Mike Brown remains confident the Celtics are still a strong team as they navigate their early challenges.

“They’re still a really good team,” Brown said on Friday, via WEEI’s Justin Turpin. “They have guys that experienced winning a championship on their team. They have a championship coach over there.”

The Celtics are still figuring out how to fill Jayson Tatum’s absence while he recovers from a torn Achilles.

Star guard Jaylen Brown has stepped up as the team’s primary option and is still figuring out how to embrace his new role.

“I’m learning in this new role,” Brown said on Friday. “Trying to find ways to make everybody around me better.”

Brown isn’t the only player stepping into a new role this season. With Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford leaving during the offseason, guard Payton Pritchard, forward Sam Hauser and center Neemias Queta will all take on expanded responsibilities.

The Celtics will try to secure their first victory of the season when they head to Detroit to face the Pistons on Sunday.