BOSTON – There were plenty of reasons for the Warriors’ lackluster form in Boston’s TD Garden on Wednesday night.
It was the third leg of a six-game road trip and the Warriors’ third game in four nights. Golden State was coming off a scrappy victory to hapless Washington, which snapped a five-game losing streak. They were playing their 13th different starting lineup in as many games. And of course, Steph Curry watched the entire game in street clothes.
The result was a predictable 120-99 Warriors loss to the Celtics.
Gui Santos scored 13, while Draymond Green put up 13 points and five rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis scored 11 in his return to Boston, Gary Payton II put up 14 and Pat Spencer put up 14 off the bench for the Warriors. Meanwhile, star Celtics duo Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 56.
The Celtics led 36-23 after one quarter, and then 63-50 at halftime. The Warriors were able to cut the deficit to just seven midway through the third, but Boston quickly retook control and led 89-73 entering the fourth quarter.
To make a poor night even worse, the Warriors (33-36) fell into a tie with the Blazers for the final play-in spot as the 10th seed.
The most noteworthy part of Wednesday night happened long before tipoff.
Only a few were able to watch a welcome sight for all facets of the Warriors organization: Steph Curry going through shooting drills during pregame warmups.
Around three hours prior to tipoff, Curry was seen participating in a variety of exercises with longtime shooting coach Bruce Fraser, firing jumpers from a standstill as well as taking 3-pointers off movement.
“He’s been on the court, and that wasn’t the case last week,” Kerr said. “He’s been getting shots up and getting on the court now.”
It was the first time since his injury on Jan. 31 that he had done any on-court work before a game.
Curry has been recovering from runner’s knee, which can only be healed through rest, and is set to be re-evaluated by the Warriors on Saturday. Previously, he had begun individual on-court work, but that was done away from the public.
Kerr did not specify whether or not Curry had begun drills involving physical contact, only reiterating that an update would come on Saturday.
The Warriors will play at Detroit on Friday, and then fly to Atlanta to take on the Hawks the next day.
Bricks in Boston
Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics tries to hold up De'anthony Melton #8 of the Golden State Warriors after getting around a pick by Draymond Green #23 during the first quarter at TD Garden on March 18, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics tries to hold up De’anthony Melton #8 of the Golden State Warriors after getting around a pick by Draymond Green #23 during the first quarter at TD Garden on March 18, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
To beat the second seed in the Eastern Conference, the undermanned Warriors needed to be lights out from behind the arc. That did not happen.
The Warriors generated a slew of open looks, but were unable to capitalize on the opportunities that their ball movement created. They shot just 10 of 43 from 3-point territory. The volume was no surprise, as the Warriors lead the league in 3-pointers attempted per game at 45.2 per night, but their inaccuracy was an aberration for a team that is middle of the league (36%).
Porzingis was 2 of 7, Brandin Podziemski was 1 of 7 and Melton was 1 of 6. Meanwhile, the Celtics made 14 of 39 of their 3-pointers.
Tatum’s return doesn’t surprise former teammate
Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis (7) blocks a shot by Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis (7) blocks a shot by Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
A month ago, the Celtics gave Steve Kerr and the Warriors’ coaching staff fits in San Francisco.
That was without perennial All-NBA talent Jayson Tatum, who has since returned from an Achilles injury added another dimension to an already-potent Boston unit.
“They’ve got multiple guys who can shoot from out there,” Kerr said. “So many guys who can put the ball on the floor, with obviously Jayson and Jaylen, but also Derrick White is a great penetrator and so is Pritchard, so you’re so spaced out, you have to be willing to give up shots to certain players.”
Tatum, who scored 24 against the Warriors, has averaged 20 points per game since coming back following 10 months of strenuous rehab.
His former teammate Porzingis could relate to Tatum’s rehab process, and said that a desire to be involved in the team’s day-to-day grind is often a great motivator.
“Knowing him with his work ethic, I know he was super locked in with the rehab just to make sure he can come back as soon as possible,” Porzingis said. “He didn’t want to miss any good moments with the team.”