BOSTON — From foul language to foul basketball.
On the same day Julius Randle was fined $25,000 for telling Knicks fans to STFU, the forward shot a miserable 6 for 19 and his team was pummeled Saturday by the Celtics, 99-75.
The Knicks (19-21), who had a two-game winning streak snapped, displayed an anemic offense at TD Garden, posting their lowest point total since 2018 while shooting 37%. The Knicks even missed most of their 15 free throws.
Ugly, ugly stuff.
Randle, who also committed six turnovers, was the main culprit, but he had assistance in the Beantown debacle, with RJ Barrett (7 for 21 from the field) and Alec Burks (2 for 11) also lackluster.
Just two nights earlier, the Knicks shocked the Celtics by recovering from a 25-point deficit and burying the franchise’s first buzzer-beating game winner (courtesy of Barrett) in nearly a decade.
But that contest was in Madison Square Garden, and the postgame turned controversial because Randle acknowledged gesturing to the fans to “shut the f--- up.” Randle expressed regret in a post urged by his agency and the Knicks, but the NBA still fined him $25,000 on Saturday for “egregious use of profanity.”
In Boston, the basketball was “egregious.”
The Celtics (19-21), who never threatened in the second half, were boosted by Jaylen Brown (22 points) and Jayson Tatum (19). The home team snapped a two-game losing streak.
Randle, who expressed regret in a statement pushed by the Knicks and his agency, was excused by his coach.
“It’s an emotional game,” Tom Thibodeau said. “We all sometimes says things we regret later. He said what he had to say. He moved on. He’s focused on the next game.
“None of us are going to be perfect. I’m pleased what he did. Just get ready for the next game. He’s been here a while and understands New York. Like anyone, you have a bad day at work and you bounce back the next day. Just make sure it’s not two days in a row.”
The Knicks were missing Evan Fournier, who sat with a contused thigh two days after scoring a career-high 41 points against the Celtics. Fournier, who played last season with the Celtics, feasted against his former team this season while averaging 35 points over three games (22 points higher than his season average).
Immanuel Quickley replaced Fournier in the lineup for his second start of the season. He was a bright spot with 18 points.
The Knicks were also missing Nerlens Noel, who hasn’t played since entering COVID-19 protocols on Dec. 22, and Kemba Walker, who sat his fifth consecutive game with a sore knee.
“We just want to make sure his knee calms down,” Thibodeau said. “He’s doing more. He’s day-to-day. When he’s ready, he’s ready.”
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