SAN FRANCISCO — In a standout performance, Jayson Tatum led the Boston Celtics to a commanding 125-85 victory over the Golden State Warriors, marking the Warriors’ most significant home defeat in four decades. Tatum contributed 22 points, while Kristaps Porzingis added 18 to reinforce Boston’s dominance in the matchup.
The Celtics surged ahead early and extended their lead significantly with a 43-24 run during the third quarter, effectively sealing the game. Jaylen Brown chipped in with 17 points and Payton Pritchard also had a solid outing with 14 points, adding to the team’s overall success.
On the opposing side, Stephen Curry managed to score 18 points but had little support, with Andrew Wiggins having a tough shooting night, hitting just 1 of his 11 attempts. The Warriors struggled offensively throughout the game, finishing with a shooting percentage of only 34.8%. This loss signifies a concerning trend for the Warriors—having suffered at least six home defeats by 40 points or more since relocating to California in 1962, the latest instance being against the Dallas Mavericks in January 1985.
Key takeaways from the match highlight the Celtics’ strong start to their four-game road trip following a mixed stretch of 3-4 in previous games. They quickly established a lead that the Warriors could not contend with. Meanwhile, the Warriors faced significant challenges, missing crucial players such as Draymond Green, who was sidelined due to a calf injury, alongside Jonathan Kuminga and Brandon Podziemski who were also unavailable, severely limiting their ability to compete effectively.
A critical moment in the game occurred when the Warriors went without a basket for a prolonged period of 7:32, transitioning from a two-point lead to a daunting 13-point deficit that ultimately proved insurmountable.
A noteworthy statistic from the game was the Warriors’ dismal performance from beyond the arc; they recorded only 3 successes out of 24 attempts for a mere 12.5% shooting efficiency in the first half. This marked their second-worst shooting percentage in the first half since the 1996-97 season, surpassing a previous low of 9.1% against the Brooklyn Nets in February 2020.
Looking ahead, both teams will hit the court again on Wednesday, with the Celtics set to take on the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Warriors traveling to face the Sacramento Kings.
