Celtics tie record for most 3-pointers in opening-night rout of Knicks

The Boston Celtics tied the NBA record for most threes in a single game with 29 in their 132-109 win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday.

They came tantalizingly close to breaking the record but missed their final 13 attempts from deep. Backup guard Payton Pritchard decided to dribble out the shot clock on the team's final possession of the game.

Boston started the game on fire, knocking down 17 treys in the first half.

After struggling to make an impact at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Celtics star Jayson Tatum went nuclear Tuesday night, tallying 37 points and 10 assists while also drilling a game-high eight triples. Derrick White and Jaylen Brown added six and five made threes, respectively.

"Tonight was special," Tatum told TNT's Allie LaForce. "To kind of have to reset and go try to win a basketball game against a really good team on opening night, the way that we just came out and responded and played the right way. I'm proud of us."

The Knicks were stunned by Boston's outrageous shooting performance.

"The NBA needs to drug test them dudes. I ain't ever seen anything like that," New York guard Josh Hart jokingly told reporters, according to James L. Edwards of The Athletic.

Forward Mikal Bridges scored a team-high 22 in his Knicks debut. Recently acquired big man Karl-Anthony Towns registered 12 points in his first game in a New York uniform.

The Celtics also received their championship rings and raised the franchise's 18th banner before the contest.

Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla, who kissed the ground while receiving his championship ring, was asked what the floor tasted like postgame. He responded: "Blood," according to The Athletic's Jared Weiss.

The Celtics will play Game 2 of the season Thursday against the Washington Wizards, while the Knicks will host the Indiana Pacers on Friday.