Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Celtics
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Derrick White of the Boston Celtics talks with Jaylen Brown during the second quarter of the game against the Chicago Bulls.
Another night, another heartbreaking finish for the Boston Celtics.
Boston fell 102–100 to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday in a tense, back-and-forth battle that came down to the final seconds. It marked yet another close defeat for a team still searching for answers in crunch time.
Jaylen Brown once again led the way with 24 points, six rebounds, and five assists, continuing his strong early-season play. But in the final minute, one defensive lapse proved costly — and Brown was the first to take accountability.
Celtics Struggle Again in Crunch Time
The Celtics have developed a frustrating pattern in tight games. They’re now 2–5 in contests decided by five points or fewer, one of the league’s worst marks in clutch situations.
Dan Greenberg
Celtics Clutch Time Production Through 12 Games
Record: 2-5 ORTG: 98.0 (21st) DRTG: 130.8 (28th) NET: -32.7 (26th) FG%: 46% 3PT%: 42%
39 total FGA (25 2s, 14 3PA)
Tuesday’s loss followed a familiar script. Boston trailed by one with 33 seconds left when Brown hit one of two free throws to tie it at 100. On the next possession, Tyrese Maxey drove hard into the paint, drawing Brown’s attention.
The Celtics forward tried to anticipate a steal, but Maxey’s burst of speed opened the floor. He kicked the ball out to Justin Edwards, who had been perfect from the field all night. His first miss came at the worst time for Boston — but a ball-watching Brown left Kelly Oubre Jr. unboxed, and Oubre tipped in the game-winner uncontested.
It was a moment that summed up the Celtics’ early-season inconsistency: great effort, but one small mistake undoing it all.
Jaylen Brown Takes Accountability After Loss
After the game, Brown didn’t deflect or point fingers. He owned the play that sealed the defeat.
“Maxey was driving, he turned his back, I thought I could go make a play,” Brown said postgame. “I thought that if I could go make a play, there wouldn’t be enough time for them to get a shot off. Oubre, I guess, slipped behind me for an easy offensive rebound. I got caught ball-watching. I’ve got to get in there and get in the fight.” (Bobby Krivitsky)
It was a candid response from one of Boston’s leaders — and another example of the accountability that’s become Brown’s hallmark this season. Despite dealing with a hamstring issue to start the year, he’s been consistently available, vocal, and productive.
Still, as Brown himself admitted, execution down the stretch continues to separate the Celtics from the league’s elite.
Bobby Krivitsky
Jaylen Brown on Kelly Oubre’s game-winning put-back:
“Maxey was driving, he turned his back, I thought I could go make a play…Oubre, I guess, slipped behind me for an easy offensive rebound. I got caught ball watching. I’ve got to get in there and get in the fight.”
Celtics Looking to Learn From Close Losses
Boston’s locker room wasn’t despondent, but it was clear-eyed.
“I think we’re gonna be in a lot of close games this year,” said Derrick White. “Definitely learn from and grow from, but it’d be nice to start winning some of them.”
Bobby Krivitsky
Derrick White when asked about the importance of the Celtics continuing to get crunch-time reps together:
“I think we’re gonna be in a lot of close games this year…definitely learn from and grow from, but it’d be nice to start winning some of them.”
That’s the next step for a Celtics team still finding its identity. With Jayson Tatum recovering from his Achilles injury, this season feels more like a bridge year — one focused on growth, chemistry, and trust.
The roster has talent, but it’s about learning how to win together again. As these narrow losses add up, so do the lessons. What Boston does with them will shape the foundation for when they’re fully whole again.