Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown Lead Celtics to 139-114 Blowout Over Nets, Bounce Back with Season-High Performance

The Boston Celtics put any concerns to rest on Wednesday night, bouncing back from a puzzling loss to the Atlanta Hawks just 24 hours earlier with a dominant 139-114 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

Behind another stellar performance from Jayson Tatum, who tallied 36 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds, the Celtics showed just how dangerous they can be when they hit their stride.

Tatum’s performance was complemented by Jaylen Brown, who added 24 points and 12 rebounds, and Payton Pritchard, who came off the bench to contribute 23 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. It was an all-around team effort that saw Boston flex its offensive muscles, particularly in the second half, where they exploded for a remarkable 74 points.

The game didn’t start smoothly for the Celtics, however. They found themselves trailing by 13 points in the first quarter as Brooklyn’s offense came out firing. But Boston, true to form, quickly regained control, tightening up defensively and using their superior depth and firepower to dominate the final three quarters. The Celtics outscored the Nets by 25 points in the second half, leaving little doubt about the game’s outcome.

While Brooklyn’s defense couldn’t contain the Celtics’ offensive onslaught, Ziaire Williams provided a bright spot for the Nets. The fourth-year forward scored a season-high 23 points, continuing to show growth in his expanded role. Williams has been a key contributor for Brooklyn in the absence of Ben Simmons (left calf tightness) and Dorian Finney-Smith (sprained left ankle), both of whom missed the game. His performance, along with the added experience from the No. 10 pick in the 2021 draft, is a promising sign for the Nets moving forward.

After a baffling 117-116 loss to Atlanta the night before, the Celtics were determined to bounce back in a big way. The loss to the Hawks, which came without star guard Trae Young, left a sour taste in Boston’s mouth. But when they play with the level of intensity and precision they showed in the third quarter against the Nets—scoring 38 points and shooting 7-for-11 from three-point range—such slip-ups will be few and far between.

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The Celtics’ third-quarter surge was sparked by Derrick White, who had been quiet in the first half. After spending much of the opening 24 minutes in foul trouble and scoreless, White connected on a three-pointer early in the third quarter, which sparked a 13-2 run. This momentum swing helped push Boston’s lead from a slim four-point advantage to a commanding 85-70 edge, effectively putting the game out of reach for the Nets.

Brooklyn, for all their effort, couldn’t keep up with Boston’s offensive efficiency. The Celtics’ ball movement, led by Tatum’s playmaking and Pritchard’s creative passes, overwhelmed the Nets. The Celtics shot 56% from the field for the game and a blistering 42% from beyond the arc, showcasing their offensive depth. Boston’s ability to move the ball and find the open man created plenty of open looks, particularly from long range, where they knocked down 15 of their 30 attempts.

Defensively, Boston tightened the screws as the game wore on. After giving up 31 points in the first quarter, the Celtics locked down on Brooklyn’s shooters, forcing the Nets to shoot just 44% from the field and struggle to get easy looks. Jayson Tatum’s defense on the perimeter was particularly noticeable as he switched seamlessly on pick-and-rolls, disrupting Brooklyn’s rhythm. Boston’s length and defensive versatility proved too much for a Nets team missing key players.

One of the key stats to note was the Celtics’ dominance in recent meetings with the Nets. Boston has now won 12 of the last 13 matchups between the two teams, including seven straight in Brooklyn. The Celtics haven’t lost in the Barclays Center since the 2020-21 season, and this victory solidified their dominance over the Nets in recent years. The Celtics’ defensive schemes and offensive potency have made them a difficult matchup for Brooklyn, and that trend continued on Wednesday.

Looking ahead, the Celtics will have some time to regroup before they host the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night. With their performance against the Nets, Boston will look to carry that momentum forward and continue to build on their impressive start to the season. The Raptors, who have been a tough opponent in recent years, will provide a challenge, but the Celtics appear primed for another strong showing.

The Nets, on the other hand, will quickly turn their attention to their next games, with a pair of matchups against the New York Knicks on Friday and Sunday. Brooklyn will need to regroup and find a way to become more consistent offensively, especially with Simmons and Finney-Smith still sidelined. Williams’ breakout performance provides a glimmer of hope, but the Nets will need more than just one standout to compete with the league’s elite teams.

As for the Celtics, Wednesday night’s performance was a statement. After a rare misstep against the Hawks, they reminded everyone why they are one of the NBA’s most dangerous teams. With Tatum, Brown, and a deep supporting cast, Boston looks poised to contend for a title, and nights like this show just how high their ceiling can be.