What initially seemed like a comfortable win for the Boston Celtics turned into a thriller as the Brooklyn Nets made a strong second-half push. Trailing by more than 20 points at halftime, Brooklyn fought back but still came short in front of their home fans 115-118.
Kristaps Porzingis led all scorers with 24 points - a strong performance after returning from an illness. However, it was a team effort that helped the Celtics secure the victory. Payton Pritchard played a key role, contributing 22 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Pritchard also made history by setting the record for the most three-pointers made off the bench in a single season in NBA history, now with 219. Pritchard, who was a key figure in the Celtics' title run last season, continues to prove his worth as Joe Mazzulla’s team is looking to earn their second championship in a row.
Jayson Tatum also contributed, finishing with 20 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, while Jrue Holiday added a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds. Despite Jaylen Brown not reaching double digits with just eight points, his presence on the court was felt throughout the game. Off the bench, Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet provided an additional energy, scoring 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Coach on key players
In the postgame press conference, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla praised Porzingis' return and Pritchard’s record-breaking performance. "It was great. He (Porzingis) looked in good form. I thought his defensive activity was good. The start of that 4th quarter, I thought he put us in a really great position to win. He executed down the stretch on both ends. It's great to have him back," Mazzulla said.
When discussing Pritchard, Mazzulla added, “He just continues to get better and better. His competitive nature and work ethic is unreal. That's an awesome thing. It takes a special person to fulfill that role.”
Tatum also emphasized how crucial it is to have Porzingis back in the lineup, particularly after his contributions in last year’s NBA Finals, which helped the Celtics secure another banner. "It felt great," Tatum said regarding Porzingis’ return. "Really looking forward to when we have everybody, but, obviously, we missed the big fella, and what he brings. His presence on the offensive end really makes it tough for teams to switch us, and when they do, we can punish them. So it was great to have him back."
Tatum also praised his teammate's talent and hard work. “He’s a super-talented guy. Works really hard… He knows how to play. It was just good to see him in a good rhythm and getting some shots to go down, attacking the switches, and making us that much more dynamic.”
The playoffs are just around the corner, and the Celtics' depth continues to show why they might be the favorites to earn their second consecutive title.