By GREG MENGELT
The 2019 Celtics first-round draft pick connected on four of his six field goal attempts, including going 2-for-3 from behind the 3-point arc. Langford also had three rebounds — two on the offensive end — and a steal. He also committed three turnovers and two personal fouls.
Langford entered the game with 5:52 left in the first period and made his first shot of the season — a 3-pointer — with 2:39 left in the first to put Boston ahead 29-23.
The 2018 New Albany graduate started the second period and made the first shot of the quarter on a floater to extend the Celtics’ lead to eight points after they led 35-29 at the end of the opening stanza. Moments later, he made it 43-34 with his second 3.
Langford knocked down a jumper with 4:33 left in the third to put Boston up 76-69 with 4:33 to go in the third. Langford left with 6 minutes to go in regulation and didn’t play the rest of the fourth quarter or overtime.
Boston falls to 0-1 despite Jaylen Brown’s 46-point performance. Former Kentucky star Julius Randle led the Knicks with 35 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and three blocked shots. New Knick Evan Fournier, who made the go-ahead jumper with less than a minute left in overtime, added 32 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists.
New York outscored Boston 22-18 in overtime.
“It’s a tough one to give away, especially when you worked your way to get back in it,” first-year Celtics coach Ime Udoka said. “But it’s only the first game and so we’ve got to bounce back Friday at home.”
Langford and the Celts are back in action Friday when they host Toronto in their home opener.
