NBA: Knicks hold off Celtics after Anthony sprains ankle
New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis defends Boston Celtics center Jared Sullinger (7) beneath the Celtics basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. The Knicks defeated the Celtics 120-114. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Kristaps Porzingis scored 26 points, Arron Afflalo had 20 of his 24 in the second half, and the New York Knicks beat the Boston Celtics 120-114 on Tuesday night.
Jerian Grant scored 10 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and added eight assists in the best game of his rookie season as the Knicks held off the Celtics despite losing leading scorer Carmelo Anthony to a sprained right ankle seconds into the third quarter.
Isaiah Thomas had 34 points for the Celtics, who lost their fourth straight and fell to 19-19. Jae Crowder had 21.
The Knicks won their second straight and also are .500 at 20-20.
The Knicks made nine of their 11 shots and shot 66.7 percent in the first quarter to take a 36-27 lead. They were ahead 55-41 late in the second but Anthony turned his ankle when he ran into a referee heading up the floor just before halftime.
He left the court with 1:16 left in the first half and played the first 19 seconds of the second half before leaving the game again for good. The Knicks said X-rays were negative.
Without him and with Porzingis limited to 27 minutes with foul trouble, Boston rallied behind Thomas’ 16 points in the third quarter.
Porzingis fouled out on Crowder’s 3-point attempt with 2:44 left in the game. He made two of the foul shots giving the Celtics a 106-105 lead.
But Robin Lopez hit a short turnaround with 2:21 left and Derrick Williams followed with a slam with 1:54 remaining and the Knicks never gave up the lead.
Grant hit a runner and four free throws in the final minute to secure the win.
Jared Sullinger scored 14 for the Celtics. Amir Johnson had 11 and Avery Bradley finished with 10.
