MINNEAPOLIS — Jayson Tatum showcased his all-around skills by scoring 33 points, contributing nine assists, and grabbing eight rebounds, leading the Boston Celtics to a narrow 118-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday evening.
Derrick White also played a pivotal role for Boston, finishing the game with 26 points, while Sam Hauser stepped in for the injured Jaylen Brown, adding 15 points with five successful 3-pointers.
On the other side, Julius Randle topped the scoring for Minnesota with 27 points, along with eight rebounds and seven assists. Naz Reid delivered a strong performance off the bench, contributing 20 points, while Jaden McDaniels supported the effort with 19 points and eight rebounds.
Despite trailing by eight points with only two minutes remaining, the Timberwolves had a chance to push the game into overtime. However, Anthony Edwards’ last-second attempt from beyond the arc fell short, sealing the outcome in favor of the Celtics.
In terms of observation, the Celtics had started strong earlier in the season with 16 wins in their first 19 games. However, their December performance dipped to a mixed 8-6. Securing a win in Minnesota was an ideal way to kick off their four-game road trip to start the new year.
For the Timberwolves, the beginning of the week offered a chance to measure themselves against top teams from both conferences. After a 113-105 setback against Oklahoma City earlier in the week, they came up just short against the Celtics.
A pivotal moment came in the second quarter when Boston was leading 46-45. Tatum converted one of two free throws and then followed it with consecutive 3-pointers on the Celtics’ next two possessions. This was part of a significant 16-6 run that closed the quarter, allowing Boston to head into halftime with a comfortable 62-51 advantage.
Looking at the numbers, the Celtics showed remarkable control by committing only four turnovers throughout the game, in stark contrast to the Timberwolves, who turned the ball over 16 times.
Next up, the Celtics will travel to Houston on Friday, while the Timberwolves will take on the Pistons in Detroit on Saturday.
