BOSTON — The Golden State Warriors triumphed over the Boston Celtics with a 118-112 victory on Wednesday night, marking their fifth consecutive win. Stephen Curry led the scoring for the Warriors with 27 points, while Buddy Hield contributed 16 points. Andrew Wiggins also made his presence felt, adding another 16 points to the Warriors’ tally. This game was particularly significant for Curry as it was his second straight appearance after recovering from an ankle injury that had sidelined him for three games.
Jayson Tatum was the standout player for the Celtics, scoring an impressive 32 points, while Derrick White added 26 points and grabbed six rebounds. The crowd at TD Garden showed its discontent towards Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, expressing their displeasure over his management of Tatum during the Paris Olympics.
As the game progressed, the Warriors maintained a narrow 115-112 lead when Draymond Green sank a free throw with just 11 seconds left. Kyle Anderson effectively sealed the victory by hitting two additional free throws with only 2.4 seconds remaining. The Celtics were without key player Jaylen Brown for a third consecutive game due to a strained left hip flexor, while Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski missed the game due to illness.
The Warriors significantly improved from their previous outing in Boston, where they suffered a staggering 52-point loss last season. After falling behind by 11 points early in the contest, the Warriors tightened their defense and battled physically against Tatum, eventually securing an 11-point lead by halftime.
In contrast, the Celtics struggled to find their rhythm without Brown, resulting in a lackluster first half characterized by a stalled offense. However, they gathered momentum in the third quarter, allowing Tatum to score 17 points.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when the Warriors’ lead dwindled to 106-104. Curry attempted a driving layup that was partially blocked, but Kevon Looney was there for the offensive rebound, converting it into a put-back. Shortly after, Tatum missed a shot for the Celtics, and Hield capitalized by hitting a three-pointer from the right wing, extending Golden State’s lead to seven points with just 46.3 seconds left on the clock.
Statistically, the Warriors dominated in the paint, amassing 52 points compared to the Celtics’ 36. Looking ahead, the Warriors will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night, while the Celtics prepare to face the Brooklyn Nets at home.