Jose Alvarado’s Knicks debut delivers instant jolt vs Celtics, with his pressure defense turning heads as New York bounces back

Jose Alvarado didn’t need long to look like a natural fit in New York. In his first game as a Knick, the relentless guard helped flip the team’s energy and tone, sparking a 111–89 road win over the Boston Celtics on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at TD Garden.

The box score undersold the impact of his pressure. Alvarado’s full-court pestering helped disrupt Boston’s rhythm, sped up possessions, and fed a defensive performance that turned into New York’s most emphatic response of the season after a frustrating loss earlier in the week.

A defensive identity, turned up louder

New York’s plan was clear: make Boston uncomfortable early and never let the Celtics settle into their spacing. The Knicks did it with physical point-of-attack defense, aggressive help at the nail, and disciplined rebounding that snuffed out second chances.

Boston’s shooting reflected that discomfort. The Celtics went 7-for-41 (17.1%) from three-point range and 37% overall, with long stretches where their drives ended in tough kickouts and rushed late-clock attempts. New York, meanwhile, hit 14 threes and consistently won the “effort” moments—loose balls, rebounds in traffic, and quick rotations that forced Boston into one more pass than it wanted to make.

Alvarado’s first impression: pressure, pace, and chaos

Alvarado’s calling card showed up immediately: picking up ball-handlers early, turning routine inbounds into stressful possessions, and jumping passing lanes when Boston tried to reset.

He finished with 12 points and two steals in 25 minutes, but his biggest contribution was momentum. One third-quarter takeaway in particular sent the Knicks’ bench into a frenzy and helped fuel a separation run that turned a competitive game into a blowout. New York’s guards were able to press higher because Alvarado was comfortable living in that space—taking gambles, recovering, and making the Celtics play faster than they preferred.

For a team that thrives when its defense creates offense, Alvarado’s style is additive: even when he doesn’t get the steal, he forces the decision earlier, and that can be enough to tilt a possession.

Brunson leads, and the Knicks pull away late

New York’s defense set the foundation, but the offense delivered the knockout. Jalen Brunson scored 31 points with eight assists, controlling tempo in the half court and punishing switches when Boston tried to stabilize.

The decisive swing came late in the third quarter. New York closed the period on a 20–7 run to take an 85–68 lead, then Brunson opened the fourth with another burst—10 straight points—to turn the margin into a cruise.

Josh Hart added 19 points, Mikal Bridges scored 14, and Karl-Anthony Towns posted 11 points and 10 rebounds as New York won the physical battle without drifting into sloppy offense.

Key numbers from the statement win

What it means for the East race

The result mattered beyond the highlight steals. The win pulled New York level with Boston in the standings at 34–19, tightening the race near the top of the Eastern Conference and adding a meaningful tiebreak-style statement in a matchup that has carried extra edge.

It also hinted at why New York targeted Alvarado at the deadline: the Knicks don’t need him to be a star. They need him to raise the team’s floor on nights when the offense stalls—by creating extra possessions, disrupting opposing guards, and bringing an immediate “compete” level that spreads.

Next up, the Knicks return home to face Indiana on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, while the Celtics host Chicago on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. The teams are set to meet one more time in the regular season on April 9, 2026, in New York—a date that now looks even bigger if the standings remain compressed.

Sources consulted: Associated Press, ESPN, NBA, Bleacher Report