NEW YORK — In an impressive performance, Jayson Tatum led the Boston Celtics to a decisive 139-114 victory against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night, contributing 36 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds. Jaylen Brown also played a significant role, tallying 24 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Celtic Payton Pritchard added to the scoring with 23 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, helping the team rebound strongly after a narrow 117-116 loss to the Atlanta Hawks the night before.
The Celtics faced a challenging start, finding themselves in a 13-point deficit in the first quarter. However, they managed to regroup effectively and dominated the second half, scoring a remarkable 74 points. This performance marks their highest points total of the season, showcasing their capabilities when they are in sync.
Ziaire Williams stood out for the Nets, scoring a season-high of 23 points. His contributions were crucial as he made his second consecutive start while key players Ben Simmons, dealing with left calf tightness, and Dorian Finney-Smith, who has a sprained left ankle, were unavailable.
The Celtics’ recent loss against Atlanta, especially since they played without star guard Trae Young, was highly unexpected. Nevertheless, when Boston played at their peak during the third quarter, putting up 38 points and shooting 7 for 11 from beyond the arc, they reminded everyone of their offensive potency and why they are a formidable opponent.
In a pivotal moment of the game, Derrick White, who had scored 31 points the night before but struggled with foul trouble and was scoreless in the first half, found his scoring groove early in the third quarter with a three-pointer. This sparked a 13-2 run for the Celtics, extending their lead from four to 85-70.
A notable statistic from the matchup reveals the Celtics have triumphed in 12 of their last 13 encounters with the Nets, also winning their last seven games in Brooklyn. They have not faced defeat on this court since the 2020-21 season.
Looking ahead, the Celtics will have some time off before they host the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night, while the Nets will head across town to face the New York Knicks on Friday and Sunday nights.