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[Boston Celtics]

Boston Celtics (26-15) at Detroit Pistons (30-10) Game #42 1/19/26

Boston Celtics (26-15) at Detroit Pistons (30-10)
Monday, January 19, 2026
8:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #42, Road Game #23
TV: Peacock, NBC
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 97.1 The Ticket, SiriusXM
Little Caesars Arena

The Celtics have reached the end of their 4 game road trip as they visit the Detroit Pistons. This is the 4th and final meeting between these two teams this season. The Celtics are 1-2 in the 3 games so far. They lost 119-113 in Detroit on October 26. They won 117-114 in Boston on November 26 when they ended the Pistons 13 game win streak. The Celtics lost 112-105 in Boston on December 15. They are 257-143 overall all time against the Pistons and 100-87 in games played in Detroit.

The Celtics are 2nd in the East, 4.5 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are 1.5 games ahead of 2nd place New York. They are 2 games ahead of 4th place Toronto, 3 games ahead of 5th place Cleveland and 3.5 games ahead of 6th place Philadelphia and 7th place Orlando. The Celtics are 19-9 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 14-8 on the road and 7-3 in their last 10 games. They have won their last 2 games.

The Pistons are 1st in the east, 4.5 games ahead of 2nd place Boston, 5 games ahead of 3rd place New York, 6.5 games ahead of 4th place Toronto, 7.5 games ahead of 5th place Cleveland, 8 games ahead of 6th place Philadelphia and 7th place Orlando. They are 21-6 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 16-4 at home and 6-4 in their last 10 games. They have won their last 2 games.

The Celtics are playing in the final game of a 4 game road trip. They lost the first game in Indiana and won in Miami and Atlanta. The Celtics will then play one game at home against Indiana before playing Brooklyn and Chicago on the road. They will then have another 4 game home stand where they will host Portland, Atlanta, Sacramento and Milwaukee. Then, they are on the road at Dallas and Houston before playing Miami, New York, and Chicago at home, taking them into the All Star Break.

For Detroit, this is the final game of a 6 game home stand. They beat New York, Chicago, Phoenix and Indiana and lost to the Clippers. Next, they will play at New Orleans and then home vs Houston and Sacramento. Then it’s a 3 game road trip through Denver, Phoenix and Golden State before hosting Brooklyn, Denver, Washington, and New York. Then games at Charlotte and Toronto will take them to the All Star break.

For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum remains out as he continues to rehab from the Achilles tear he suffered in last year’s playoffs. Josh Minott will miss his 7th game with a sprained ankle. Chris Boucher is probable due to back soreness. Payton Pritchard missed his first game of the season on Saturday with ankle soreness but is available for this game. For the Pistons, Ron Holland II is questionable due to illness.

Probable Starting Matchups
PG: Derrick White vs Cade Cunningham

SG: Payton Pritchard v Duncan Robinson

SF: Jaylen Brown vs Ausar Thompson

PF: Sam Hauser vs Tobias Harris

C: Neemias Queta vs Jalen Duren

Celtics Reserves
Anfernee Simons
Josh Minott
Xavier Tillman
Jordan Walsh
Hugo Gonzalez
Luka Garza
Baylon Scheierman
Chris Boucher

2-Way Players
Ron Harper, Jr
Max Shulga
Amari Williams

Injuries/Out
Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out
Josh Minott (ankle) out
Chris Boucher (back) probable
Payton Pritchard (ankle) available

Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla

Pistons Reserves
Javonte Green
Jaden Ivey
Bobi Klintman
Chaz Lanier
Paul Reed
Isaiah Stewart
Caris LeVert
Marcus Sasser

Two Way Players
Daniss Jenkins
Colby Jones
Tolu Smith

Injuries/Out
Ron Holland II (illness) questionable

Head Coach
JB Bickerstaff

Key Matchups
Derrick White vs Cade Cunningham
Cunningham is averaging 25.9 points, 6 rebounds, 9.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 45.8% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. In the 3 game against the Celtics, he averaged 33 points 5 rebounds and 7.7 assists while shooting 47.7% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. The Celtics must defend him well both in the paint and on the perimeter and they need to expect him to pass to the open man since he is averaging 9.6 assists per game.

Neemias Queta vs Jalen Duren
Duren is averaging 17.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 62.8% from the field with no 3 pointers. In the first 3 games against Boston, he averaged 14 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 46.4% from the field with no threes. The Celtics need to try to keep him out of the paint and off the boards.

Honorable Mention
Sam Hauser vs Tobias Harris
Harris is averaging 13.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting 46.2% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. In the first 3 games against the Celtics, he averaged 14.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 45.5% from the field and 17.6% from beyond the arc.

Keys to the Game
Defense – As always, defense is the key to winning this, and every, game. The Celtics have been up and down with their defensive effort, even quarter to quarter within a game. The Celtics are 14th with a defensive rating of 114.0. The Pistons, on the other hand, are 2nd with a defensive rating of 108.5. The Celtics have to especially defend the paint as the Pistons are 2nd with 57.1 points in the paint per game.
The Celtics have to be ready for the tough defense that the Pistons play and they must make defense a priority and match the Pistons’ effort on defense if they hope to win this game.

Rebound – As with defense, rebounding will always be a key to winning. The Celtics have to crash the boards as a team and go after every rebound. The Celtics are 10th in the league with 44.9 rebounds per game. The Pistons are 3rd, averaging 46.4 rebounds per game. The Pistons average 17 second chance points per game, which is 6th in the league. Every Celtic has to crash the boards and they must work harder to grab rebounds than the Pistons to limit those 2nd chance points.

Move the Ball Carefully – The Celtics need to move the ball to get the best shots. The Celtics are much better when they move the ball and don’t lapse into iso ball. But, they have to be careful with the ball and avoid turnovers. They need to make careful passes and also focus on their ball handling so as not to turn the ball over. They are best in the league with just 12.0 turnovers per game. However, they tend to lose focus and at times turn the ball over way too much. The Pistons are 2nd in the league with 21.8 points off turnovers per game and they will make the Celtics pay if they get sloppy.

Effort and Energy for 48 Minutes– The Celtics have to play with extra effort overall for all 4 quarters. In most of their losses and even in some of their wins, they have allowed their opponents to play with more energy than them for periods of time during the game. They play well for stretches but let up and allow their opponents to surge ahead. The Celtics need to make playing with more effort and energy their identity this season and play that way for the entire game, not just a quarter or two. Hopefully they can play well for 48 minutes in this one just as they did against the Hawks.

X-Factors
On the Road – The Celtics are on the road for the 4th straight game. They need to overcome the distractions of playing on the road and in front of a hostile crowd and stay focused on playing the right way. They have to come out playing hard right from the beginning and try to keep the Pistons’ crowd from getting into the game. The final game of a road trip is always a tough game and the Celtics need to stay extra focused and play extra hard to get a win.

Officiating – Officiating is always an x-factor in every game. Every crew officiates differently. Some call it tight, others let them play. The Celtics need to adjust to how the refs are calling the game and not allow bad calls or no calls to take away their focus from playing the game. We have recently seen how much of an x-factor officiating can be. The Celtics have to play so well all game that the officiating, no matter how bad, can’t influence the outcome.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/boston-...6-15-at-detroit-pistons-30-10-game-42-1-19-26

 

[Boston Celtics]

10 Takeaways from the Celtics close loss to Pistons

1. Another Close Loss to the Pistons​

For the third time in four matchups against the Detroit Pistons this season, the Celtics have lost in very close fashion. This was an incredible game of basketball overall. It was a back and forth game all night long and Jaylen Brown just missed the game winning shot by an inch. Definitely not the desired outcome for Boston, there were a lot of mistakes and very cold shooting but it was a great fight. In the three losses this season, Boston has only lost by 6,7, and 1 point. The Pistons are first in the East for a reason and the Celtics showed that they were able to hang with them even without Jayson Tatum.

Jaylen Brown gets a great look — just doesn’t fall

Celtics fall 104-103 to the Pistons pic.twitter.com/1DDkam9qjv

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) January 20, 2026

2. Tobias Harris/Duncan Robinson Legacy Game?​

Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson have been no strangers to the Celtics over the years. Harris spent 6 seasons on the Philadelphia 76ers and Robinson spent 7 years on the Miami Heat. Boston has battled and matched up with them numerous amounts of times, but I can’t say I have seen both of them play actually productive games against the Celtics until this game. Tobias Harris finished with 25 points on 11-20 shooting from the field and Duncan Robinson finished with 15 points on 5 three points. In a game where Boston was able to slow down Cade Cunningham, it was really demoralizing to see them go off in this game.

Robinson made some really timely shots for Detroit all night long but none were bigger than his three in the fourth quarter. He got the ball on the wing, shook Derrick White out of his shoes on a pump fake, and splashed the three

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Harris also made some timely threes in the fourth quarter but his biggest came at the 1:37 mark. The shot clock was running low and Cade Cunningham was looking to pass the ball. Hauser stepped up to Cunningham and left Harris wide open in the corner for three that made it a 4 point Pistons lead that basically won them the game.

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3. Detroit Bigs Crushed Boston​

One big advantage the Pistons are always going to have over the Celtics is their big man rotation. Jalen Duren finished with 18 points and 9 rebounds while Isaiah Stewart finished with 8 points and 5 rebounds. When Detroit ran their double big man lineup, it really killed Boston, especially with both Luka Garza and Neemias Queta getting into foul trouble.

Duren had a stretch in the third quarter where he showed how much of a dominant force he really was. At the 4:26 mark, the Pistons were running the fast break off of a Celtics miss. Cunningham ran to the corner, threw up an alley-oop pass to Duren who was streaking down the court and he finished a thunderous slam over Anfernee Simons. Then later in the quarter at the 3:33 mark, Duren again was a force in the paint, following a missed layup by Stewart for a put-back slam.

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Stewart made a ton of great defensive plays in this game but none were bigger than the block he had on Neemias Queta in the second quarter. Queta got the ball in the middle of the floor and rose up for a two-handed jam. However, Stewart came out of no where to jump perfectly with Queta to swat the ball away.

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4. Turnovers Hurt​

The Celtics finished this game with 14 turnovers but with the way they were throwing the ball around, it really felt like they had more. Detroit was able to take advantage almost every time, scoring 19 points off of Boston’s turnovers and at times it was the only reason why the Pistons were able to stay in the game. A lot of them were turnovers where the Celtics would just lose the handle on the ball or make an errant pass that lead to an easy basket for the Pistons. Take this play from Jaylen Brown for example, Brown loses the handle and the Pistons go down the court the other way for easy layup. This was an all night problem for Boston and it really felt like they just shot themselves in the foot.

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5. All-Star Starter: Jaylen Brown​

Jaylen Brown was voted as an All-Star Starter before tonight’s game and showed why he was deserving of his spot, finishing with a double-double of 32 points and 11 rebounds on 11-28 shooting. Brown did all he could to will the Celtics to a win in this game but just came up short in the end. The outcome shouldn’t deter the great game he had however because he made some incredible plays against a tough Pistons defense late in the game to keep Boston in striking distance.

One of my favorite plays of the night from Brown came at the 2:30 mark in the first quarter. Defended by Ron Holland, Brown pump faked the three to get him to jump, then went to the midrange, created seperation with his off arm, and sank the jumper.

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His fourth quarter was probably the biggest for Boston however, scoring 10 of the Celtics 21 points. Brown started with a play where he got to his spot at the free throw line, pump faked to get Caris LeVert in the air, and finished the midrange jumper through contact. He then matched up with Duncan Robinson at the three point line and blew by him. Brown then met Duren at the rim and finished a tough basket over him. Next was a play where Tobias Harris was all over him on defense but Brown was able to get by him and finish the layup with his right hand. Finally, Brown was once again matched up with Harris but this time he blew right by him to score a floater that made it a one point game with 45 seconds left.

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7. Sam Hauser Continues to Impress​

After hitting 10 threes against the Hawks in his last game, Sam Hauser continued his great run of play into this matchup with the Pistons, finishing with 16 points on 6-9 shooting from the field and 4-7 shooting from three. You can argue that Hauser was the second best player on the court for Boston as he had a huge stretch of scoring in the third quarter.

Hauser began the third quarter doing a great job running around the court to get to the top of the three point line for a pull-up jumper over two Pistons defenders. On his next basket, he made another cut to a similar spot at the three point line but a little farther. White found him and Hauser made another three over a great contest by Ausar Thompson. Finally, Hauser pulled out his midrange bag, taking Duncan Robinson off of the dribble. He drove, got Robinson up in the air, and hit the jumper looking a little bit like Jaylen Brown. Sadly this stretch got interrupted with him picking up his fourth foul but this was a great stretch that gave the Celtics energy coming out of halftime.

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6. Payton Pritchard Back in the Lineup​

After a tough game in Miami and missing the Celtics last game in Atlanta, Payton Pritchard made his return to the lineup for this matchup and had a pretty solid game, finishing with 17 points on 5-8 shooting. Although there were times he looked hesitant to shoot, he was able to make an impact. Like Hauser, Pritchard had a great third quarter where he dropped 10 points.

Pritchard’s third quarter started off of a nice pass from Jaylen Brown. Brown was double teamed on the block and found Pritchard who was wide open on the wing for three. His next play started with a pass from Queta where he pump faked Robinson and drove to lane. He then hit a hesitation dribble and put up a midrange shot over Duren for a tough bucket. His final play of the third quarter started with him blowing by Harris on the perimeter where he was picked up by Isaiah Stewart. Pritchard did a good job of getting to the basket and was able to finish a reverse layup over the contest from Stewart. I hope this game is able to get Pritchard going again for a while because the Celtics are in desperate need of a consistent number two option next to Jaylen Brown right now.

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8. Tough Derrick White Game​

This was arguably the worst game of the season for Derrick White, finishing with 4 points on 1-11 shooting and 0-6 from three. He did have 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks on Cade Cunningham but this was the worst game in a string of rough games. In his last 4 games, White is averaging 9.3 points, 6.8 assists, and 6.0 rebounds, on 28% shooting from the field and 15% from three. This after White had a great month of December and looked to be shaking off the rust from his slow start to the season. It feels like there is a correlation between the Celtics winning and losing games this season and at times it feels like it comes down to if White is going to have a good game or not. I’m sure he will bounce back from this rough patch just like he did before but I just hope this doesn’t become a more concerning trend.

9. Brown vs Cunningham​

Brian Scalabrine did a pregame interview with Jaylen Brown on NBC where he said that he would be the primary defender on the Pistons All-Star Starter Cade Cunningham in this game. Despite the loss, Brown and the Celtics did a pretty good job of defending Cunningham as a whole. He finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds but shot 4-17 from the field and 0-4 from three.

Jaylen Brown on guarding Cade Cunningham tonight

I’m gonna guard him tonight. I’m gonna pick him up, test him a little bit, and we’ll go from there.” pic.twitter.com/9b8VV8iO3i

— Pistons Talk (@Pistons__Talk) January 20, 2026

Out of the shot attempts where Brown looked to be the primary defender, Cunningham shot 1-5. On the first attempt, Brown rode Cunningham’s off hand all the way to the basket where Cade missed the layup. The second attempt saw Cunningham attempt a midrange jumper that Brown was able to block and even though they called it a foul, it was overturned on a Celtics challenge. The third attempt was another midrange jumper where Brown was able to get around a Duren screen for a nice contest. The fourth attempt saw Cunningham once again try to shake off Brown but Jaylen stayed glued to him and forced another contest jumper. The final attempt was the only attempt that Cunningham got the win on and was a big one. At the 2:21 mark of the fourth quarter Brown was stuck behind a screen from Thompson that allowed Cade to get into the lane for an easy floater.

If these two teams match up in a playoff series, I can see Brown being the primary defender on Cunningham again and hopefully holding him to a similar result in this game.

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10. Playoff Atmosphere​

All four games that the Celtics and Pistons have played this season have been down to wire, good old fashioned slugfests that have felt like the Game 7 of a playoff series. This is due to the intensity that comes out of both teams when they step foot on the floor and it feels like it will be a disservice to everyone who enjoys basketball if these two teams don’t matchup in the playoffs this season. Detroit has become a juggernaut behind their aggressive defense and timely offense while Boston is going to have Jayson Tatum back in a playoff series which increases almost every attribute on both sides of the ball for the Celtics. Ideally we get a rematch of the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals with the same result but either way I love this budding rivalry and I hope we get to see it for years to come.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/article...-loss-to-pistons-jaylen-brown-cade-cunningham

 

[Boston Celtics]

Jaylen Brown added to injury report ahead of Celtics game vs Pacers

BOSTON — Jaylen Brown is on the injury report ahead of the Celtics’ Wednesday night game against the Indiana Pacers, listed as probable with left hamstring tightness. Brown is fresh off a 32-point, 11-rebound night against the Detroit Pistons, where he missed a potential game-winner just hours after being named an All-Star starter for the first time in his career.

Josh Minott, who has missed the last 8 games with a left ankle sprain, continues to be sidelined.

Celtics Injury Report vs. Indiana (1/21):

Jaylen Brown – Left Hamstring Tightness – PROBABLE Josh Minott – Left Ankle Sprain – OUT
Jayson Tatum – Right Achilles Repair – OUT

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) January 20, 2026

And Jayson Tatum continues to be out as he rehabs a ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered 8 months ago. Tatum took the floor for a nearly hour-long workout in front of reporters in Birmingham, Michigan, on Monday morning, as he continues to exhibit good signs of progress.

Payton Pritchard, who missed Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks with left ankle soreness, is off the injury report.

The Pacers, meanwhile, will be without Tyrese Haliburton (ruptured Achilles tendon recovery), Obi Toppin (right foot stress fracture), and Bennedict Mathurin (right thumb sprain).

The Pacers and Celtics will match up for the 4th and final time​

The Celtics have faced the Pacers three times over the past month, with Boston emerging victorious in two of the three matchups. The Celtics came back from double-digit deficits in back-to-back games against the Pacers in December.

However, last Monday, the Celtics fell to the Pacers 98-96 after a game-winning shot by Pascal Siakam. Brown missed that game as he dealt with back spasms.

The Pacers have been led by Pascal Siakam (23.6 points), Bennedict Mathurin (17.8 points), Andrew Nembard (17.6 points), and Aaron Nesmith (13.4 points).

This season, the Celtics have been led by Jaylen Brown (29.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists), Derrick White (17.7 points, 5.4 assists), and Payton Pritchard (16.6 points, 5.3 assists per game).

In January, two Celtics sharpshooters have turned a corner. Sam Hauser is averaging 14.2 points per game, and shooting 46.2% from three, while Anfernee Simons is averaging 16.9 points and shooting 48.7% from three in January.

The Pacers had the fourth-worst net rating in the league (-9.6) and the worst record in the Eastern Conference (10-34). The Pacers have dropped their last two games, while the Celtics are coming off a 2-2 record and a 1-point loss to the Pistons.

The Celtics continue to maintain the East’s second-best record and the NBA’s third-best net rating.

The Celtics and Pacers will face off at 7:30pm on Wednesday night at TD Garden.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/articles/129774/boston-celtics-injury-report-indiana-pacers

 

[Boston Celtics]

Jaylen Brown’s All-Star starter selection wasn’t about him

DETROIT — Jaylen Brown was asleep when the news first broke out: for the first time in his 10-year NBA career, he was selected as an All-Star starter.

Monday’s primetime game between the Celtics and the Pistons was hours away, and Brown was taking his usual midday nap. By the time he awoke, his phone was filled with congratulatory texts from family and friends.

“I think that’s who it matters most for — my support group,” Brown said. “I think it means a lot to them to see me celebrated in that light now.”

Asked Jaylen Brown about being named All-Star starter today:

“I woke up from a nap, and then I had some text messages from loved ones and family, but I think that's what it matters most for, like my support group. I think it means a lot to them to see me celebrated in that… pic.twitter.com/VbAihfC5MF

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) January 20, 2026

Among Eastern Conference players, Brown received the most votes from media members, the 3rd-most from NBA players, and the 5th-most from fans. That gave Brown the fifth-most votes among East players, edging out Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell for the final starter spot.

Next month in Los Angeles, he’ll represent the conference alongside Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, and Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham.

But Brown played down the personal significance of the accolade, noting he’s always felt he’s been this type of player.

“ I’ve always felt like, regardless of what people may think or whatever, that I’ve been one of the better players in this game,” he said. “Just now, I’ve got an opportunity to show it a little more.”

Jaylen Brown was ranked 1st among media, 3rd among players, and 5th among fans. pic.twitter.com/PHa5pyXcVA

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) January 19, 2026

Brown did not feel like being named an All-Star starter was validating.

“I’m a very confident guy,” Brown said. “I don’t allow other people to tell me what my validation is. I always felt like I was better than a lot of these guys.”

Jaylen Brown has benefited from a much greener light this season​

This season, Brown has averaged 29.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists — while shooting 48.7% from the field, 36.3% from three, and 79.1% from the line.

He attributes some of his offensive improvements to having a much greener light than previous seasons of his career — particularly in the midrange, where Brown has been among the NBA’s most effective players.

“I was discouraged from taking midrange shots at different points in my career,” he said last week. “I’ve been literally told not to. Now it’s like ‘Jaylen, you can take whatever shot you want.’ I’m like, ‘sure.’ I’ve been shooting as many mid-ranges as I can get up. At different points in my career, that hasn’t been the case.”

Joe Mazzulla praised Brown for his leadership and improved ability to make reads this season.

“Really happy for him — it started in the offseason, just the way he approached it, the professionalism, the work ethic, the commitment to 1) getting healthy, to 2) coming in and setting the tone for the building and working with each guy separately,” Mazzulla said on Monday.

The Celtics are 26-16, good for the East’s second-best record. They also have the third-best net rating in the NBA.

And, Brown feels like they’re just getting started.

“I’ve enjoyed being with this group, I’ve enjoyed playing with the young guys, helping with their learning curve,” Brown said. “It’s been a joy. I’m looking forward to the next part of the season. We still have some work to do.”

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/articles/129682/jaylen-browns-all-star-starter-selection-wasnt-about-him

 

[Boston Celtics]

Indiana Pacers (10-34) at Boston Celtics (26-16) Game #43 1/21/26

Indiana Pacers (10-34) at Boston Celtics (26-16)
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #43 Home Game #20
TV: NBCSB, FDSN, NBA-LP
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 107.5 The Fan, Sirius XM
TD Garden

The Celtics return home from their road trip to host the Indiana Pacers. This is the 4th and final game between these 2 teams this season. The Celtics won the first game 103-95 on December 22 in Boston and they won the 2nd game 140-122 on December 26 in Indiana. They lost the 3rd game 98-96 in Indiana on January 12. The Pacers won the series 2-1 last season, with the Celtics winning one in Boston and losing 1 in Boston and one in Indiana. The Celtic are 112-88 overall all time against the Pacers. They are 64-28 in games played in Boston.

The Celtics are 2nd in the East, 5.5 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are 1.5 games ahead of 2nd place New York. They are 2 games ahead of 4th place Toronto, 2.5 games ahead of 5th place Philadelphia and 3 games ahead of 6th place Orlando and 7th place Cleveland. The Celtics are 19-10 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 12-7 at home and 6-4 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a loss in their last game.

The Pacers are 15th in the East, 22.5 games behind first place Detroit and 17 games behind 2nd place Boston. They are 9.5 games behind 10th place Atlanta, 3.5 games behind 13th place Brooklyn, and 1 game behind 14th place Washington. The Pacers are 7-22 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 2-18 on the road and 4-6 in their last 10 games. They have lost their last 2 games.

The Celtics are playing at home after a 4 game road trip. They lost the first game of that road trip in Indiana. After this game at home vs Indiana, they will play Brooklyn and Chicago on the road.They will then have another 4 game home stand where they will host Portland, Atlanta, Sacramento and Milwaukee. Then, they are on the road at Dallas and Houston before playing Miami, New York, and Chicago at home, taking them into the All Star Break.

This is the 3rd game of a 5 game road trip for the Pacers. They lost the first to at Philadelphia and Detroit and will complete the trip at Oklahoma City and Atlanta. They will then host Chicago, Atlanta, Houston and Utah before a 6 game road trip through Milwaukee, Toronto, New York, Brooklyn. They will finish the road trip with 2 games at Washington after the All Star break.

For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum remains out as he continues to rehab from the Achilles tear he suffered in last year’s playoffs. Josh Minott will miss his 8th straight game with an ankle sprain. Jaylen Brown is listed as probable for this game with left hamstring tightness. For the Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton remains out as he rehabs from the Achilles tear he suffered in the Eastern Conference Finals. Bennedict Mathurin is out due to a thumb injury. Obi Toppin is out due to a foot injury.

Probable Starting Matchups
PG: Derrick White vs Andrew Nembhard

SG: Payton Pritchard vs Aaron Nesmith

SF: Jaylen Brown vs Johnny Furphy

PF: Sam Hauser vs Pascal Siakam

C: Neemias Queta vs Jay Huff

Celtics Reserves
Anfernee Simons
Hugo Gonzalez
Xavier Tillman
Jordan Walsh
Luka Garza
Baylon Scheierman
Chris Boucher

2-Way Players
Ron Harper, Jr
Max Shulga
Amari Williams

Injuries/Out
Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out
Josh Minott (ankle) questionable

Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla

Pacers Reserves
Tony Bradley
Kam Jones
TJ McConnell
Micah Potter
Ben Sheppard
Jarace Walker
Isaiah Jackson

Two-Way Players
Quenton Jackson
Taelon Peter
Ethan Thompson

Injuries/Out
Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) out
Obi Toppin (foot) out
Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) questionable

Head Coach
Rick Carlisle

Key Matchups
Sam Hauser vs Pascal Siakam
Siakam is averaging 23.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 48.1% from the field and 38.0% from beyond the arc. Over his career, Siakam has averaged 17.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game against the Celtics. In the 3 games this season, he averaged 19 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 50% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to defend him well in this game.

Derrick White vs Andrew Nembhard
Nembhard is averaging 17.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 7.1 assists while shooting 44.9% from the field and 36.6% from beyond the arc. Over his career against the Celtics, he has averaged 10.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. In the first 3 games against the Celtics this season, he averaged 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists while shooting 45% from the field and 56.3% from beyond the arc. Hopefully White will emerge from his mini shooting slump of late and have a big game.

Honorable Mention
Payton Pritchard vs Aaron Nesmith
Nesmith is averaging 13.4points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 35.2% from the field and 35% from beyond the arc. Over his career against the Celtics, he averaged 11.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. He missed the first 2 games against the Celtics this season but in the 3rd game, he finished with 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists while shooting 22.2% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc.

Keys to the Game
Defense – Defense is the key to winning every single game. The Pacers haven’t been the scoring juggernaut they were last season. They are 30th in the league with an offensive rating of 107.9 while the Celtics have an offensive rating of 121.4 (2nd). The Celtics are 14th in the league with a defensive rating of 114.0. The Pacers are 19th with a defensive rating of 116.0. In the first game between these two teams, the Celtics allowed the Pacers to score 61 points in the first half and they trailed by 18 points at the half. They held them to 34 points in the second half and won the game. The Celtics have to play tough defense from the tip through the final buzzer in this one and not allow the Pacers to get any offensive rhythm.

Rebound – Rebounding is also an important key to winning every game. The Celtics are 10th in the league, pulling down 44.9 rebounds per game. The Pacers are 23rd with 42.8 rebounds per game. It is important for the Celtics to rebound the ball to give themselves extra possessions and to prevent the Pacers from getting the same along with 2nd chance points. Much of rebounding is effort and the Celtics have got to put out more effort than the Pacers to grab rebounds for all 4 quarters.

Move the Ball Carefully – The Celtics need to move the ball to get the best shots. The Celtics are much better when they move the ball and don’t lapse into iso ball. Against the Pistons, the Celtics finished with just 13 assists. They are 17-1 when they have 25 or more assists and they are just 9-15 when they have fewer than 25 assists. Jaylen Brown especially needs to get back to moving the ball instead of trying to score on every possession. Even though the Celtics usually take good care of the ball, they lose focus at times and turn the ball over too much. They need to make careful passes and keep the ball moving.

Don’t Underestimate – It would be easy for the Celtics to underestimate the Pacers and expect an easy win. But that would be a mistake, especially since they did just that in their last game against the Pacers and lost the game. Any team can win on any night if the other team lets down their guard. The Celtics have to come out and play hard and not underestimate the last place Pacers.

X-Factors
Home Game and Revenge – The Celtics are at home and should have the crowd behind them. The Celtics need to protect home court and use the crowd support for motivation. The Pacers have to deal with travel and staying in hotels and playing on an unfamiliar court and in front of hostile fans. The Celtics need to remember their loss to these Pacers earlier this month and fight hard to avenge that loss with a win in this one.

Officiating – The officiating can always be an x-factor. Some referees call the game tight and others let them play. Some favor the home team and others call it evenly. Some refs just seem to have an agenda that doesn’t fit the play on the court. And sometimes the refs are simply bad. The Celtics have to play through however the refs call the game, whether it is tight or they let them play or they make terrible calls. The Celtics can’t allow bad calls or no calls to take away their focus on the game.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/boston-...10-34-at-boston-celtics-26-16-game-43-1-21-26

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics exact revenge on Pacers, win 119-104

The Boston Celtics return home to TD Garden after a tough 4-game road trip. Boston led all game in a homecoming win by 15 points, 119-104. Newly minted All Star starter, Jaylen Brown led the team with 30 points in just 33 minutes, Hauser had 5 triples with 17 points on a hot shooting night in Boston.

Sam Hauser hit two early three-pointers to start the game for Boston. The sharp shooting Hauser has been hitting threes at a 39.5 percent clip on the season and has made 16 threes in his last 3 outings for Boston. The C’s had an early lead of 10-7 at the first TV timeout.

The trio of Luka Garza, Baylor Scheierman, and Anfernee Simons were first off the bench for the home team. Garza scored on his now patented deceleration cutting layup past a leaping Pacer big man. Payton Pritchard scored on a layup and was fouled by Jackson in the act of shooting, with the C’s starting PG hitting the bonus free throw.

Pascal Siakam was cooking early for the Pacers with a mix of jumpers and rim play, and he had 9 quick points in the first quarter to pace Indy. The power forward is staking his claim for All-Star reserve selection. Indiana beat Boston just over a week ago in a low-scoring game, and tonight was more of the same in the first quarter for the sluggish Pacers.

Scheierman’s corner triple gave the C’s an early seven-point lead, and Pritchard’s buzzer-beating three at the horn gave Boston a 30-20 lead at the end of the quarter.

Tony Bradley scored on the interior to start the 2nd quarter; the 6-foot-10 big was on his second 10-day contract with Indy following a string of injuries. Jordan Walsh was impacting things on both ends for Boston in his early minutes; he chased down 2 rebounds and nailed a triple on his first shot of the game in just 7 quick minutes of action. Sam Hauser swished home a three for Boston off a sweet JB assist; the Celtics were pushing the pace in the second quarter, up by 14 points, 38-24.

Hugo Gonzalez got his first run of the game at the midway point of the second quarter, and the rookie stuck a big three-pointer on his first shot of the game. Joe Mazzulla had Hugo matched up with 7-foot-1-inch center Jay Huff. Brown hit a sweet turnaround jumper, following that up with a wide-open transition layup.

Boston went on a 15-0 run before Pascal Siakam finally snapped the scoring streak for the visiting Pacers, Boston stretching the lead out to 23 points, 57-34. Jaylen Brown scored 17 points for Boston in the second quarter a few days after he was named a starter in the All Star game.

Queta had back-to-back dunks for Boston, Derrick White chipped in his first three of the game in front of the commentary bench, Boston headed to the change rooms with a 20 point lead, 66-46.

Sam Hauser opened the second half with a sweet drive and one-handed flick pass to Queta on the rim-rattling jam. Hauser had his fourth triple of the game off a Derrick White assist. Siakam had 5 straight points for the Pacers, as they started to chip away at Boston’s lead, getting it back to 16 points at the 9 minute mark.

Brown scored on a tough driving layup, his 21st of the game with Johnny Furphy draped all over him. Brown took Jay Huff all the way to the cup on the next play but missed both free throw attempts from the stripe. Brown would take a seat with 5 minutes to go in the third quarter, logging 23 points.

Jordan Walsh had a huge block on a Ben Sheppard’s corner three attempt, the ball sailing into the stands. Walsh chased down Potter on the break for another block attempt, but the replay confirmed Walsh got a piece of arm on the play.

Indiana cut into Boston’s big lead with a 16-4 run, the Celtics retained a 15-point lead with Jaylen Brown on the bench. A Ben Sheppard triple gave Indiana a ray of hope, cutting it back to 9-points. Things were setting up for another close battle down the stretch at TD Garden with a quarter to go.

Brown lead the C’s in scoring after 3 quarters with 23 points, Siakam had 27 points for the visitors, the Celtics up by 13 points, 91-78 after three.

Sam Hauser peeled off a neat Garza screen to hit his fifth three of the night, Simons playing the facilitator with a second assist on the night. Boston started of the fourth quarter hitting 7 points to Indy’s 4 points to start the fourth. Pritchard’s pull up two-pointer saw Boston hit the 100-point mark with seven minutes to go in the game.

With Indy down 15, it felt like they would run out of time to make a comeback as Boston had answers to every Pacer challenge. Brown had a steal and layup to stretch the lead back to 19 points. Brown was in complete control hitting 30 points for the 24th time of the year on a swooping two-footed layup across the key. Brown went to the bench with a 30-piece in the bag, both teams rolling with the bench squads to close things out, Boston sailing to victory.

Boston hit the road again to face the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/celtics...0/celtics-exact-revenge-on-pacers-win-119-104

 

[Boston Celtics]

Boston Celtics Daily Links 1/22/26

Herald Why Jaylen Brown, Pacers coach believe Derrick White should be NBA All-Star

Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser lead way as Celtics breeze past Pacers

Celtics wing misses eighth straight game with ankle injury

Globe Zach Lowe maps out Celtics’ plans at NBA trade deadline

Celtics showing they have more ways to win than relying on 3-pointers

Celtics celebrate homecoming by getting measure of revenge in rematch with Pacers

Celtics Green Comments from the Other Side – Pacers 1/21/26

CelticsBlog Derrick White is an All-Star — but don’t take it from me

Same jersey, different job: Sam Hauser

What should the Celtics do at the NBA trade deadline? (staff roundtable)

10 Takeaways from a TD Garden win as Celtics crush Pacers

Sam Hauser enters his “next phase” as more than a shooter for the Celtics

Celtics exact revenge on Pacers, win 119-104

CLNS Media Sam Hauser Emergence an Important Development for Celtics Playoff Hopes

Celtics .com Keys to the Game: Pistons 104, Celtics 103

NBC Sports Boston Celtics-Pacers recap: Jaylen drops 30 in dominant win at TD Garden

NESN Celtics Veteran Flourishing In New Role After Early-Season Slump

Mass Live Celtics rivals unlikely to trade for polarizing Grizzlies guard

Rick Carlisle shares eye-opening opinion of Celtics guard

Celtics forward creating intriguing trade deadline decision for Brad Stevens

Boston Celtics starter getting irreplaceable lessons in breakout season

Jaylen Brown jokes why Celtics drawing more fouls: ‘Maybe it was the fine’

Neemias Queta is the Celtics ‘Name to Know’ Player of the Game in Wednesday’s win over Pacers

4 takeaways as Celtics blow out Pacers, finish odd NBA scheduling quirk

Celtics Wire Jaylen Brown credits resiliency, Hauser shooting for Celtics excellence

Sam Hauser on snapping slump, growing game with Celtics

Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla on how NBA players are like F1 drivers

Boston Celtics jersey history No. 55 – Acie Earl (1993-95)

Celtics legend Larry Bird weighs in on the NBA’s 3-point revolution

How Isaiah Thomas rose to stardom with the Celtics at just 5-foot-9

Celtics history: Maravich signs with Celtics; Powe, Vrankovic born

Larry Bird on Bill Walton staying healthy to help Celtics win ’86 title

Neemias Queta revealed that a title is still the ultimate goal for the Celtics

Jaylen Brown makes a case for Derrick White being an All-Star, and maybe even DPOY

The Athletic NBA Awards Watch: MVP Jaylen Brown? It’s not that far-fetched

Boston Sports Journal Simone’s Six: Symbiosis, Dr. Seuss, and trends in Celtics-Pacers

BSJ Game Report: Celtics 119, Pacers 104 – An all-around performance did the trick

Hardwood Houdini Celtics are getting the Neemias Queta show they’ve been waiting for

Celtics trade proposal offers polarizing path to truly contending

Celtics just received brand new lesson with latest success

CLNS Media/YouTube LIVE Garden Report: Celtics vs Pacers Postgame Show on CLNS Media

Celtics Keep Winning, Jaylen Brown’s MVP Consistency & D-White DPOY? | You Got Boston w Noa Dalzell

Sam Hauser on his Recent HOT STREAK | Celtics vs Pacers FULL Postgame Interview

Neemias Queta on his Growth as a Rim Protector | Celtics vs Pacers FULL Postgame Interview

Jaylen Brown mentions Derrick White for DPOY | | Celtics vs Pacers FULL Postgame Interview

Joe Mazzulla FULL Postgame Interview | Celtics vs Pacers 1-21

Locked on Celtics Jaylen Brown’s ‘Validation?’, Jayson Tatum’s return, and are the Celtics contenders?

Jaylen Brown POWERS Boston Celtics, Sam Hauser SHINES in Scorching WIN Over Pacers

Athlon Sports Mock Trade Sends Celtics’ Anfernee Simons to Bulls for $60 Million Veteran to Address Major Need

Hoops Wire Celtics continue to do more than survive as they wait on Jayson Tatum

The Lead Celtics’ Recent Officiating Complaints Reflect League-Wide Attitude

BasketNews Celtics trade plans revealed, big move could be coming

Celtics star makes bold DPOY claim about Derrick White

Duke Roundtable Duke Legend Jayson Tatum’s Return Timeline Just Received Another Hint

Heavy Jayson Tatum Issued Warning by HOFer Ahead of Celtics Return

Celtics’ Anfernee Simons Has New Trade Suitor: Report

Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Sends Strong Message About Derrick White

Celtics Roundtable Jaylen Brown Sets Tone as Boston Celtics Cruise Past Indiana Pacers 119-104 at TD Garden

Celtics Chronicle Another Game, Another Defense That Struggled To Stop Boston’s Pick-And-Roll

WEEI/YouTube Celtics Buyers at Deadline? Impact Move? Would Celts Entertain a Jaylen Deal? |The Greg Hill Show

Audacy Is this the best version of Sam Hauser we have seen?

82 Games Jaylen Brown: the NBA’s Best Two-Way Player?

SI .com Sam Hauser is on fire, and he helped the Boston Celtics torch the Indiana Pacers

Jaylen Brown scored 30 in easy win: Six reasons why the Celtics cruised past Indiana

Boston Celtics/YouTube Does Sam Hauser’s Threeball Make the Celtics Unbeatable? | SOUND OFF

Barstool Sports Jaylen Brown Continues To Play The Best Basketball Of His Life At A Time When It’s Needed More Than Ever

Sportsnet CEBL’s BlackJacks hire Justin Mazzulla, Joe’s brother, as head coach

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/boston-celtics-daily-links/129841/boston-celtics-daily-links-1-22-26

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics vs. Nets Film Preview

You got a date Friday night? It’s okay if you don’t. The Boston Celtics have a date with the Brooklyn Nets, and you can watch. I’m here to prepare you for this game with a handful of plays, matchups, and tactics that could decide the winner. Let’s get into it.

Over the Hedge​

Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez loves to play on the front foot. Despite the youth of his roster and the transient nature of many of the role players, he’s going to get aggressive in order to pressure his opponents. That involves a lot of hedging in pick-and-rolls when his team is facing pull-up shooters.

That’s a tactic in which the roll man defender rises above the screen to disrupt the ballhandler’s momentum, then retreats to cover his own man. Typically, this involves someone stunting the roller or providing early help if a pass comes over the top. It takes away easy pull-up threes (something the Celtics thrive on), but it exposes them to easier roll reads. Here’s the gamble Fernandez took in their last game: the Nets will live with whatever happens on the roll instead of letting the trigger-happy Celtics guards get easy three-point looks. Neemias Queta took that strategy and put it in the dirt.

The Nets love throwing a hedge at shooting ballhandlers. That makes Neemias Queta's short-roll decision making and lob catching awfully important for Friday's game pic.twitter.com/a7hgxcPFuj

— Charlie Cummings (@klaytheist11) January 22, 2026

In very typical Fernandez fashion, this scheme ratchets up the pressure on both teams. Queta has to roll into the right spot and receive a good pass from his guard. The Nets have to rotate properly to stop the roll, then cover the immediate passing options. Queta has to decide where to pass, and his teammates need to cut/relocate into space to help with his read. It’s a fragile chain of events for both sides and whoever executes on that chain of events will be at a big advantage.

Pressure Flare​

Flare screens are a pet action for the Celtics. When you have a plethora of shooters and good screeners, it’s an easy way to generate threes and drives. Facing a Nets team that plays four rookies in the rotation, even your simplest actions can cause communication problems. Flare-based actions created all kinds of problems for Brooklyn in the last matchup.

Boston threw a heavy dose of flare screens at the Nets in their last matchup. Make the young team communicate, and you're likely to get some decent looks. Expecting more of the same tomorrow pic.twitter.com/pQKMsG45j2

— Charlie Cummings (@klaytheist11) January 22, 2026

Brooklyn is 29th in defensive rim attempt frequency and 21st in defensive rim FG% according to Cleaning the Glass. It doesn’t take much to break the paint against this team; Joe Mazzulla can lean on easy actions to drum up drives. Look for plenty of flare screens on Friday night.

Lockdown Neem​

The Nets have a problem with rim pressure on defense, but not as much on offense. Seven of their rotation players have rim rates at 50% or better this season. Perimeter prevention is important, but some of these Nets are going to get to the rim sooner than later. This is another pressure point for Neemias Queta, who needs to be his best rim-protecting self on Friday. Luckily for the Celtics, he was that guy in their November matchups.

Neemias Queta's rim protection will be a big swing factor tomorrow night against the Nets pic.twitter.com/JmSB2og4N9

— Charlie Cummings (@klaytheist11) January 22, 2026

Timely rotations and big blocks can hamstring a Nets offense that has been on life support recently. If Neem gets active early and deters them from venturing into his paint, that’ll go a long way towards the win.

I hope you feel a bit more prepared for this game. Now kick back and bask in some Celtics excellence.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/celtics-videos/129992/celtics-vs-nets-film-preview

 

[Boston Celtics]

Boston Celtics (27-16) at Brooklyn Nets (12-30) Game #44 1/23/26

Boston Celtics (27-16) at Brooklyn Nets (12-30)
Friday, December 23, 2026
7:30 pm ET
Regular Season Game #44 Road Game #24
TV: NBCSB, YES, NBA-LP
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub, 101.9 FM, Sirius XM
Barclays Center

The Celtics head to Brooklyn to take on the Nets at Barclays Center for the first of 2 consecutive games on the road. This is the 3rd of 4 meetings between these two teams this season. The Celtics won the first meeting 113-99 in Brooklyn on November 18. They lost the second meeting 113-105 in Boston on November 21. They will meet for the final time on February 27 in Boston.

Brooklyn is the youngest team in the league this season, with an average age of 23.98. The Celtics won the series 4-0 last season. The Celtics are 146-75 overall all time against the Nets and they are 69-40 when playing on the road against Brooklyn. This is the first of back to back games for the Celtics. They will play at Chicago on Saturday. They are 3-3 in the first of back to back games this season.

The Celtics are 2nd in the East, 5.5 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are 1.5 games ahead of 2nd place New York and 4th place Toronto, 3 games ahead of 5th place Cleveland and 3.5 games ahead of 6th place Philadelphia and 7th place Orlando. The Celtics are 20-10 against Eastern Conference opponents and 6-4 against the Atlantic Division. They are 14-9 on the road and 6-4 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a win in their last game.

The Nets are 13th in the East, 7 games behind 10th place Atlanta,5.5 games behind 11th place Milwaukee, and 3 games behind 12th place Charlotte. They are 2 games ahead of 14th place Washington and 3.5 games ahead of 15th place Indiana. They are 9-18 against Eastern Conference opponents and 3-8 against the Atlantic Division. They are 6-16 at home and 2-8 in their last 10 games. They have lost their last 3 games.

The Celtics had one game at home after a 4 game road trip. After this game at Brooklyn, they will head to Chicago for their second straight game on the road. They will then have a 4 game home stand where they will host Portland, Atlanta, Sacramento and Milwaukee. Then, they are on the road at Dallas and Houston before playing Miami, New York, and Chicago at home, taking them into the All Star Break.

After this game at home, the Nets will go on a 5 game road trip through the LA Clippers, Phoenix, Denver, Utah, and Detroit. They will then play one game at home against the Los Angeles Lakers before one game on the road at Orlando. Then they will have a 3 game home stand where they will host Washington, Chicago and Indiana before the All Star break.

Jayson Tatum remains out for the Celtics as he continues to rehab from the Achilles tear he suffered in last year’s playoffs. Josh Minott will miss his 9th straight game with an ankle sprain. Derrick White has been added to the injury report and will miss this game for rest. I took a guess that Baylor Scheierman will once again get the start but with Joe, you never know. Neemias Queta was a late addition to the injury list due to illness. He will be a game time decision. I would guess that Luka Garza would get the start if he is unable to play. For the Nets, only Haywood Highsmith is out due to a knee injury.

Probable Starting Matchups
PG: Payton Pritchard vs Egor Demin

SG: Baylor Scheierman vs Drake Powell

SF: Jaylen Brown vs Michael Porter, Jr

PF: Sam Hauser vs Noah Clowney

C: Neemias Queta vs Nic Claxton

Celtics Reserves
Anfernee Simons
Hugo Gonzalez
Xavier Tillman
Jordan Walsh
Luka Garza
Chris Boucher

2-Way Players
Ron Harper, Jr
Max Shulga
Amari Williams

Injuries/Out
Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out
Josh Minott (ankle) out
Derrick White (rest) out
Neemias Queta (illness) questionable

Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla

Nets Reserves
Tyrese Martin
Ben Seraf
Day’Ron Sharpe
Cam Thomas
Nolan Traore
Ziaire Williams
Jalen Wilson
Danny Wolf

Two-Way Players
EJ Liddell
Tyson Etienne
Chaney Johnson

Injuries/Out
Haywood Highsmith (knee) out

Head Coach
Jordi Fernandez

Key Matchups
Jaylen Brown vs Michael Porter, Jr
Porter is clearly the Nets best player and is averaging 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1 steal per game. He is shooting 48.1% from the field and 39.6% from beyond the arc. In the 2 games gainst Boston this season, he averaged 29 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 56.8% from the field and 57.1% from beyond the arc. The Celtics must do a better job of slowing him down in this game.

Neemias Queta vs Nic Claxton
Claxton is averaging 12.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 blocks per game. He is shooting 58.3% from the field and 16.7% from three. In the 2 games this season against the Celtics, he averaged 12.5 points, 11 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1 block while shooting 36.4% from the field with no threes. In the Nets’ win over the Celtics, he put up his first career triple double. The Celtics need to keep him out of the paint and be aware of him on defense as he is a good rim protector.

Honorable Mention
Sam Hauser vs Noah Clowney
Clowney is averaging 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 38.9% from the field and 32.3% from beyond the arc. In the 2 games against the Celtics this season, he averaged 16 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal while shooting 47.8% from the field and 40% from 3.

Keys to the Game
Defense – As always, defense is a key to winning this, and every, game. The Nets are 26th in the league with an offensive rating of 111.4 while the Celtics have an offensive rating of 121.3 (2nd). The Celtics are 13th in the league with a defensive rating of 113.7. The Nets are 26th with a defensive rating of 117.7. In the Nets win over the Celtics, they shot 52.4% from the field and 39.4% from beyond the arc. The Nets shoot 40.8 three pointers per game (6th) and they make 14.2 per game (10th) so the Celtics need to especially defend them on the perimeter. The Celtics have to play tough defense from the tip through the final buzzer in this one and not allow the Nets to get any offensive rhythm.

Rebound – Rebounding is also an important key to winning every game. The Celtics are 10th in the league, pulling down 45.1 rebounds per game. The Nets are 30th with 39.7 rebounds per game. It is important for the Celtics to rebound the ball to give themselves extra possessions and to prevent the Nets from getting the same along with 2nd chance points. Much of rebounding is effort and the Celtics have got to put out more effort than the Nets to grab rebounds for all 4 quarters.

Don’t Underestimate – The Celtics need to stay focused and be aggressive from start to finish. The Nets have not been playing well, but they play hard and will always try to beat the Celtics. The Celtics did underestimate them in their last meeting and ended up losing. The Celtics can’t underestimate them because they have lost 8 of their last 10 games. The Celtics should have the talent to win easily, but if they underestimate the Nets and come out with less than 100% effort, they be surprised with another loss to them. They also are coming off a 120-66 drubbing at the hands of the Knicks and so they may be looking to gain back a little self respect with another win over the Celtics.

Move the Ball Carefully – The Celtics are a much better team when they move the ball and don’t lapse into iso ball. They are 17-1 when they have 25 or more assists and they are 10-15 when they have fewer than 25 assists. Even though the Celtics usually take good care of the ball, they lose focus at times and turn the ball over too much. They need to make careful passes and keep the ball moving.

X-Factors
On the Road Again – The Celtics are playing on the road again after one game at home. They will be playing in front of a hostile crowd and have the distractions that go with travel and playing on the road. The Celtics need to focus on the game and not on the distractions that come with playing on the road and in an unfamiliar arena. They need to get some motivation from avenging their loss in the last game against the Nets.

Officiating – I know that I say this every game, but the officiating always can be an x-factor in every game. Every crew calls the game differently whether they call every little ticky tack foul or they let a lot of contact go and let the teams play. Some refs favor the home team and some not so much. We have already seen a game where one non call can change the outcome. The Celtics have got to adjust to the way the game is being called and not let the officiating take away from their focus.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/boston-...-27-16-at-brooklyn-nets-12-30-game-44-1-23-26

 

[Boston Celtics]

Finding the next Mike Muscala: scouring the market for cheaper big man alternatives

We are two weeks from the trade deadline, and the Celtics are among a handful of teams rumored to be buyers seeking a positional upgrade to prepare for a postseason run.

The rumor mill has swirled around Boston’s frontcourt in particular, and anyone even a little online has seen the team linked to big names like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ivica Zubac over the past month. Both options would require a substantial trade package, likely involving draft capital and the expiring $27.6 million contract of Anfernee Simons, but what if the Celtics aren’t looking at a splashy move?

At this point, you’re probably wondering why, in the year of 2026, the name Mike Muscala is holding any relevance to this franchise. Muscala is perhaps the quintessential modern journeyman by force, a living and breathing trade throw-in whose 11-year career featured seven teams, seven trades and a lot of perfectly fine stretch shooting off the bench.

To some, he’s a hero (he may never buy a beer in Philadelphia again for his contributions to the selection of Tyrese Maxey); to others, he was a welcome bench piece, and to the Celtics specifically, he was a passing ship, whose 26-game pit stop started right at the trade deadline for a team in need of an additional bench big.

Boston finds itself in a similar spot. Between Neemias Queta and Luka Garza, the Celtics have surprised many NBA pundits that predicted a league-worst frontcourt, but they’re still in search of another big man to round out that spot. The bigger names will earn all the headlines, but today we’ll be searching for low-cost, low-risk options that likely don’t push the needle significantly, but also don’t require significant trade assets to improve the position.

Utilizing the Muscala Model (not a real thing, nor quantifiable), we’ll see if this dive into the bottom and mid-level of the NBA’s frontcourt barrel can help the Celtics in the short-term.

Marvin Bagley III​

There’s a reason we’re starting with Marvin Bagley on this list.

Bagley, in his second stop with the Washington Wizards and fourth team overall in his seven-year NBA career, may fit the Muscala Model better than anyone.

In fact, Bagley was miraculously involved in a trade with the Moose himself, getting moved by Detroit alongside Isaiah Livers and a second round pick in a swap for Muscala and Danilo Gallinari. We all remember where we were for that Shams notification right?

In all seriousness, Bagley, currently on a one-year minimum deal with Washington, is having a fine season off the bench for one of the league’s premier tanking organizations.

In 36 games and under 20 minutes a night, the 6-foot-10 center is averaging 10 points on a career-best 62% efficiency, 6 rebounds and 1.5 assists. In seven starts in place of an injured Alex Sarr, he’s averaged 14 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists.

When it comes to Bagley, what you see is what you get. In a lot of ways, he’s exactly the player he was when he came out of Duke as one of the most hyped one-and-done freshmen in the country.

His shooting range never extended beyond the arc in a way many hoped it would out of Duke, and he’s long been considered a negative defender in his various career stops, yet he has earned a living as a capable, and still quite athletic, paint finisher.

This year, Bagley has cut a lot of the fat out of his scoring, and focused entirely on the areas he already thrived in. He has taken shots out of the mid-range and beyond almost entirely out of his shot diet, and his current 91% shot volume from inside of 10 feet would easily mark a career-high.

View Link

Bagley’s game is not complicated. While still a frequent post-player, something we likely see little of if he was traded to Boston, he makes his living as a putback glass-crasher, dunker spot dump-off threat and play-finishing roll man.

Defensively, while a fine rim deterrent and solid rebounder, the expectation would be that, for a third center option, he’s fine, albeit unexceptional, if occasionally frustrating. If we were talking about him as a starter? It’d likely be a different, more concerning story.

All to say, while it can be hard to separate the Bagley that could have been from the Bagley we see today, I think it’s safe to call him an entirely playable backup big, and on his minimum contract, it would take pennies to acquire him, with zero strings attached beyond this season.

Washington is easy to please these days: a late draft pick in any form is a win to them, considering Bagley willingly came back after the trade that netted them Marcus Smart. Between some form of a second round pick attached to the minimum contracts of either Xavier Tillman or Chris Boucher, the Celtics could be bringing in a third center to their rotation that’s a capable rebounding and scoring threat.

Nick Richards​

Keeping in trend with their current frontcourt options, obtaining the services of Nick Richards would provide the Celtics with their third big man option to have been drafted in the second round that worked their way from the G-League into an NBA rotation.

Before last year’s deadline, Richards was the first of a few trades around the fringes for the Suns, who picked him up in a swap with Charlotte for Josh Okogie in an attempt to solve their interior defensive dilemma.

But now, Richards has found himself low on the Phoenix pecking order behind Mark Williams, Oso Ighodaro, and the small-ball tenacity of Dillon Brooks. Add to that the lottery selection of Khaman Maluach, and it’s clear Richards really doesn’t have a place in the Suns rotation in the short or long-term once his contract expires this summer.

The rumor mill backs that up, and it’s clear it wouldn’t take a lot to get Richards off their books to duck the tax.

Despite falling out of Phoenix’s favor, Richards has been a proven commodity in a bench capacity during his six years in the NBA. In Charlotte and in his first season with Phoenix, Richards proved to be a physical paint deterrent and a scrappy rebounder, whose mission on offense was to screen hard and roll straight into board-crashing duties. His 5.58 defensive rebounds per game last season had him in the 93rd percentile in that category, and his 2.6 on the offensive glass had him even higher in the 95th percentile.

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While he has an interior-minded defensive game, he shows enough foot speed to defend out to the perimeter, not exclusively sticking his feet in the paint and waiting for a slasher to attack.

Richards’ game is not complicated, and his effort in the minute details has always stood out, particularly during his final season and a half in Charlotte. He does not need to be significantly involved with the ball in his hands to make an impact, something we’ve seen from Garza this year as a screener and rebounder in his own right.

For a Celtics team looking for additional rebounding and paint protection, Richards checks the box as a career bench big that’s willing to play his role in an effectively high-motor manner.

It helps that Richards is also a quality rim protector. Last year’s tape shows a player whose 7-foot-4 wingspan aided a Suns team that desperately lacked shot-blocking options. It was a temporary breath of fresh air for one of the league’s worst defenses.

Like Bagley, obtaining Richards would not require a significant haul. It’s unlikely a trade would take more than a second round pick to acquire Richards. In Boston’s case, that deal could work as is, however, they could also attach one of their veteran minimum contracts alongside the pick to also make it happen.

Jalen Smith​

This has long been a rumored low-cost center of interest for the Celtics, really up until Jalen Smith penned a 3-year, $27 million contract with the Bulls in 2024.

Smith, a former 10th overall selection for the Suns, has carved out a respectable NBA career as a bench stretch big, ramping up his outside shooting volume this season with the Bulls. In the past four seasons to this point, he’s averaged 9 points on 50/34/75 splits in under 20 minutes, and in Chicago, he’s been heavily encouraged to shoot the rock, with 55% of his shots coming from beyond the arc.

In this new role in Chicago, he’s been less of a pick-and-pop big, and more of a jumbo, movement-shooting compliment to Nikola Vucevic, who is the team’s primary screening operator. Chicago runs an entirely different brand of offense from Boston behind Josh Giddey and Coby White, pushing one of the fastest paces in the league and relying on first-read shooting that can often leave Smith in the corner or trailing up the floor with the intent to fire off the catch. In Boston, the role would certainly look a little different, possibly utilizing him in the screen game similar to Al Horford’s role as a stretch shooter.

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While it’s inherently intriguing to see a big man with that confidence and range, he has been a mostly below-average 3-point shooter since he shot 42% from deep in his final season with the Pacers, which played a big role in his new contract.

So, does he provide anything else? Luckily, he is more than just an off-the-catch shooter. Smith has proven to be a strong rebounder, averaging 1.97 offensive boards per game, which places him in the 88th percentile in that category according to Basketball Index, and he is in the 98th percentile in defensive rebounding talent, a value that factors in opportunity creation and conversion on the defensive glass.

He is also a solid interior defender despite being slightly undersized at 6-foot-8, using his strength to handle business in the post while being an athletic and active help defender. The field goal percentage for opponent shots contested at the rim by Smith compared to expectations is -7.10%, and while not often a switch defender, Smith is a mobile big that displays swift foot speed in drop coverage and good instincts defending the rim.

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Of the three players listed, he probably fits the Muscala Model the least, having been traded just a single time with a price tag that’s possesses more risk/reward than your average Bagley or Richards transaction (although his lone trade was Muscala-coded with a swap of second round picks and Smith moved for Torrey Craig).

Yet, everything outside of Matas Buzelis and Giddey seems to be on the table for the Bulls, who once again find themselves in Play-In Purgatory.

When it comes to Smith, you’re getting a pretty intriguing stretch forward/center capable of getting Boston back into its double-big roots, but the only way a direct trade makes real sense is if it involves the contract of Sam Hauser, a championship piece currently on a fiery hot streak that’s not easy to part with, even with Boston’s wing depth being a strength area so far this season. A more expansive multi-team deal is not out of the question to get it done in a way that adds more moving parts, but if Boston was looking at this option, a hard decision would need to be made.

---

Barring a trade next week that settles Boston’s trade market strategy, I’ll be back next week for another search for that Muscala-sized void the Celtics could look to fill.

What low-cost trade options do you see as a possible boost to Boston’s rotation?

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/article...g-the-market-for-cheaper-big-man-alternatives

 

[Boston Celtics]

10 takeaways from Boston’s chess match in Brooklyn

#1 – Getting comfortable with the usual playcall​

If you read my 10 takeaways before, you know how much I enjoy looking at the first few possessions of a game and identifying which play teams are going for – and if you’ve never read me before, welcome, and I hope you’ll like it!

The Celtics started things off with their empty-side pick-and-roll, which makes sense because of the Nets’ switch coverage on this type of screen. With this action, Jaylen Brown gains a great position against the Nets rookie Drake Powell. The situation forces Nic Claxton to overhelp in the paint, which leaves Michael Porter Jr. alone to defend Sam Hauser around the screen from Neemias Queta. And that’s an open three.

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Wonderful – but the Nets weren’t going away that easily and quickly became more aggressive.

#2 – Short-roll against the Nets’ aggressive coverage​

The Nets have lately become one of the best teams in the league at forcing turnovers thanks to aggressive pick-and-roll coverages. Instead of switching, they hedge and send a second player to the ball, forcing the ball-handler into a difficult situation. It slows down the play and can sometimes create turnovers. Anfernee Simons particularly struggled against that coverage, with three turnovers overall.

Yet, the Celtics quickly found an answer thanks to their ability to pass to the roll man around the two defenders on the short roll, exploiting the 4-vs-3 situation created by the aggressive coverage.

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On the play above, Queta receives the ball in the paint while two players are focused on Brown. As the biggest shooting threat must be covered quickly, Baylor Scheierman quickly finds himself wide open from three. The action below is another example of the Celtics’ high IQ and adaptability. As Luka Garza sets a screen on Simons, the defense puts two players on the ball, but the ball can be swung to the roll man. However, Hugo Gonzalez is open and can act as the connector between Simons and Garza.

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This coverage from the Nets forced the Celtics to move the ball a lot more than usual, and they adapted with their highest assist total of the season, finishing with 35.

#3 – Payton Pritchard second half explosion​

As the game unfolded, the Brooklyn Nets added another coverage to their defensive strategy. Instead of sending two players to the ball straight out of the screen, they first switched and waited a second or two before sending the second defender. The goal of that approach was to force Brown to give the ball away without opening the short roll. But that opened another door: Payton Pritchard scoring.

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Because of the Celtics’ willingness to look for mismatches, and the Nets’ strategy of doubling Jaylen to protect smaller defenders, it created space for Pritchard to drive and, of course, to shoot the ball.

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In the last minute of the second overtime, this defensive strategy and Pritchard’s ability to exploit it gave the Celtics a four-point lead.

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This strategy not only highlighted Payton’s ability to exploit space, it showed how much Jaylen was willing and able to move the ball for the better collective outcome.

#4 – JB making plays for his teammates​

Per statmuse.com, this was only the seventh time Jaylen Brown recorded more than 10 assists in his career, but already the third time this season. Last night’s 12 assists were actually a career high (previously 11 against Cleveland in November).

The first one might be one of my favorites of the season. Not because it’s spectacular, but because he used his gravity as a scorer to find the best shot possible on the court while moving. Last season, we saw his post-up playmaking explode, but this season there are more assists coming from situations where he is on the move.

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This other pass to Simons, which isn’t an assist but still, really showed early in the game that Brown was ready for the Nets’ aggressive coverage and that he knew it would open space for his teammates.

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In this game, Jaylen Brown showed that his scoring can help a lot, even when he isn’t the one shooting.

#5 – Why the possession battle matters​

With 109 field-goal attempts and 16 free-throw attempts, the Celtics generated a total of 116 “true shooting attempts,” while the Nets only created 110. These six extra opportunities to score, in a four-point game that went to double overtime, were vital for the Celtics.

But these extra possessions didn’t come from offensive rebounds this time. In fact, the Celtics were beaten quite a lot in the rebounding battle by the Nets. Yet, they were able to force 17 (!!!) turnovers while losing the ball only eight times despite the aggressive coverages.

By taking care of the ball, the Celtics had six more bullets in their pockets, which gave them the W in the end.

#6 – Hustle clip​

These extra possessions came from a little extra hustle, a little extra “je ne sais quoi,” and this clip encapsulates it perfectly. First, Pritchard gives it everything to protect the possession and is able to score at the last second of the shot clock.

Then, Hugo reads the play perfectly and knows the ball will be swung to the wing after the screen. He anticipates it, goes for the layup, scores, and the Nets have to call a timeout.

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#7 – Up 10 with 180 seconds to go​

Despite a big heart, the Celtics’ collective brain froze a little in the last three minutes, and they threw away a 10-point lead right when it mattered most. First, on the defensive end, the help on this play came from the wrong player. Noah Clowney was placed in the corner for a reason, as he is a 45% shooter from that zone, and it didn’t flinch when Simons’ help left him open.

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Defensively too, the Celtics piled up mistakes with fouls. Queta fouled out, and Brown reached on the offensive rebound from Clowney, sending the Nets player to the line. What sealed the deal and sent the game to overtime was the Celtics’ inability to protect the glass, as the Nets collected three offensive rebounds in the last three minutes and scored six points off those opportunities.

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#8 – Joe Mazzulla’s masterclass​

Well, even after some lapses in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, the Celtics were able to turn it around at the last second.

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On the clip above, look at Joe Mazzulla understanding that the Nets went to a zone instead of their usual coverage. He asked the players to change their positions at first and then realized Amari Williams wouldn’t be impactful because of the zone. Therefore, he decided to add a better shooter on the floor and put Gonzalez in the game before the play started. And the rest is history.

#9 – Amari’s minutes​

Even if Williams was on the bench during the biggest highlight of the game, his minutes were really impressive. He was used as a connector for a Payton Pritchard clutch triple, then scored an and-one, and capped this great stretch with a block on the French rookie Nolan Traoré.

Amari Williams overtime highlights:

Perfect touch pass to set up a Pritchard 3
Excellent read for an and-1 layup
Huge block to keep Boston ahead by 4

Incredible poise for a rookie two-way pic.twitter.com/pGcWTZlGYn

— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) January 24, 2026

He stayed ready while Queta and Garza fouled out and delivered exactly what the Celtics needed to close the game on the road – great stuff!

#10 – Let’s trade for Claxton (?)​

Often, the Celtics try to attack the opponent’s center and put him on an island, going one-on-one with Jaylen Brown. Well, the Nets welcomed that and even put Claxton directly on Brown from time to time.

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When he isn’t involved on the ball, Claxton provides great rim protection as a safety and keeps showing improvement with his hand-eye coordination and timing to deter shots. His touch and handle also seem to have improved, and he can punish a bit more when the defense doesn’t respect him.

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On top of that, he remains one of the best short-roll passers in the league… so I’m wondering: could he be the missing piece for a solid big-man rotation the Celtics will need to compete for the NBA title?

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/articles/130151/10-takeaways-from-bostons-chess-match-in-brooklyn

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics drop second game of back-to-back, lose to Bulls 114-111

On a night when the Bulls franchise honored Derrick Rose and raised his #1 to the United Center rafters, the home team beat Boston 114-111 with a last second triple from Kevin Huerter. For the Celtics, they split the back-to-back nailbiters after winning in double OT last night in Brooklyn, but fall to 10-14 in clutch games.

Back in early January, the Celtics cruised to a 115-101 win over the Bulls back at TD Garden. They led by as many as 23 points and Boston buried Chicago under an avalanche of threes with Anfernee Simons hitting 8-of-14 from behind the arc for 27 points.

On a chilly night in the Windy City, it was the Bulls that got hot and hit nearly half their triples (21-of-45), including Huerter’s game-winner from the corner.

Since promoting Joe Mazzulla to head coach, the Celtics have the best record on back-to-backs at 35-13 (h/t Dan Greenberg). Coming off a double overtime win in Brooklyn on Friday night, the Celtics offense looked a little tired and hey couldn’t overcome their poor shooting; they made just 15 of their 47 threes.

Jaylen Brown finished with another 30-plus game with 33 points (14-0f-28 from the field), eight rebounds, and five assists. Anfernee Simons chipped in 21 and Derrick White’s shooting slump (5-of-18) continued in the loss. Seven Bulls players finished in double figures.

Amari with the flush pic.twitter.com/0BvmxVoWGd

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 25, 2026

As CelticsBlog’s Nate Moskowitz noted in his Question Marks heading into the game, Williams getting more minutes was a distinct possibility:

Mazzulla has consistently rewarded young players who impact games, and Williams may have earned himself a longer look. While his development is primarily happening in Maine, there’s value in giving him NBA reps — something he’s handled well each time so far.

Williams in fact started in place of Neemias Queta. He didn’t get the lion’s share at center as a starter normally does, but he did look solid in his ten minutes of playing time.

The team now heads home for seven of nine at TD Garden with the trade deadline (February 5th) and All-Star Weekend on the horizon. They host the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday at 5 pm.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/celtics...nd-game-of-back-to-back-lose-to-bulls-114-111

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics injury report reveals starter could be sidelined vs Blazers

BOSTON — The Celtics could be without Neemias Queta when they face the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night. Queta has been dealing with an illness since Friday, but he’s played through it, logging 28 minutes on Friday in Brooklyn and 24 minutes on Saturday in Chicago.

In addition to Queta, Josh Minott, who has been sidelined with a left ankle sprain since January 3rd, has been upgraded to questionable. And, Jayson Tatum continues to be listed as out as he recovers from a right Achilles repair.

Jaylen Brown, who has been dealing with hamstring tightness, is off the injury report.

Celtics Injury Report vs. Portland (1/26):

Josh Minott – Left Ankle Sprain – QUESTIONABLE
Neemias Queta – Illness (Non-Covid) – QUESTIONABLE
Jayson Tatum – Right Achilles Repair – OUT

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) January 25, 2026

The Trail Blazers have a far lengthier injury report than the Celtics: Deni Avdija is questionable with a lower back strain. At the same time, former Celtic Robert Williams is questionable with left knee injury management. Williams has yet to lace up against his former team since being traded to Portland three years ago.

Damian Lillard (left Achilles tendon injury management), Scoot Henderson (left hamstring tear), Kris Murray (lumbair strain), Matisse Thybulle (right knee tendinopathy), Blake Wesley (right foot fracture), and Duop Reathe (right foot soreness).

Former Celtic Jrue Holiday, who appeared in just 18 games this season, is available and will make his return to TD Garden.

Last time the two teams faced off in late December, the Blazers pulled out a 6-point victory.

The Celtics and Blazers will face off for the second and final time this season​

The Celtics are fresh off a last-second loss to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night, and will look to bounce back on Monday against the Blazers. The Blazers are coming off a 12-point loss to the Toronto Raptors on Friday.

The Celtics have won 5 of their last 10 games, and currently have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference at 28-17. They have the second-best net rating in the league (+7.2) and the best offensive rating (+121.2). They have the 12th-best defensive rating (+114).

The Blazers have won 7 of their last 10 games and hold the 9th-best record in the Western Conference at 23-23. They have the NBA’s 21st-best net rating (-1.6), 21st-best offensive rating (113.5), and 18th-best defensive rating (115.1). They’ve been led by Deni Avdija (26 points, 7.1 rebounds, 6.9 assists per game), Shaedon Sharpe (21.9 points, 4.6 rebounds), Jerami Grant (19.2 points), and Jrue Holiday (15.4 points, 7.1 assists).

Celtics-Blazers tips off at 8pm at TD Garden.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/article...reveals-starter-could-be-sidelined-vs-blazers

 

[Boston Celtics]

Same jersey, different job: Derrick White

In this series, we’re looking at the biggest statistical differences between last season and the current one to understand how Celtics players have evolved while wearing the same jersey. Not every role change shows up as a scoring spike. Derrick White’s season is proof of that.

Coming into the year, White wasn’t expected to take over the offense. But he was expected to become more central to it. His usage rate increased by 4.7 percentage points — one of the largest jumps on the roster — even as his minutes stayed nearly identical.

That responsibility shows up first in how often the offense now runs through him. White’s assist rate climbed (+2.2%), while his turnover rate dropped (-1.6%), a rare combination that points to cleaner decision-making under a heavier load. At the same time, the share of his field goals that are assisted fell by 14%, another indicator that more of his offense now comes from his own creation rather than the finisher role he held last season, when 68% of his field goals were assisted.

The shift is also visible in where his shots come from. White is attacking the rim slightly less and taking fewer corner threes, but he’s living more often in the middle of the floor. His short- and long-midrange frequencies both increased, along with a jump in pull-up attempts (up 4.1 per game).

This isn’t accidental. It reflects a role that demands more on-ball creation — and also the Celtics’ slight deterioration in shooting talent compared to last season’s elite floor spacing.

That expanded role comes with a cost. White’s efficiency dipped across the board, with declines in both two- and three-point percentage, along with a drop of 14 points per 100 shot attempts. Those numbers don’t suggest poorer shot-making as much as tougher shot quality. White is no longer just punishing defenses with his shooting or connective play. He’s now often responsible for creating the advantage in the first place.

What hasn’t changed is his defensive impact. White’s block rate (+0.8%) and steal rate (+0.5%) both increased, reinforcing his status as one of the league’s best defensive guards. The Celtics didn’t shift his role away from defense — they layered more responsibility onto it, including increased rim-protection duties following the departures of Luke Kornet and Kristaps Porziņģis.

Overall, Derrick White’s season has been about raising his floor as a playmaker and testing his limits. More touches, more creation, fewer easy looks — all while increasing his defensive volume. Same jersey, different job.

Below is an overview of his statistical evolution, via Cleaning the Glass:

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/articles/129820/same-jersey-different-job-derrick-white

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics youngster selected for All-Star weekend Rising Star game

BOSTON — Boston Celtics two-way player Ron Harper Jr. has been selected to participate in the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars challenge as one of 7 G League players, the NBA announced on Monday. Harper Jr., who spent the last two training camps with the Celtics before signing a two-way contract with Boston, has been one of the G League’s most consistent players this season.

The Rising Stars game, which will take place at All-Star Weekend next month, is comprised of 21 standout NBA rookies and sophomores, plus seven players who have played in G League games.

Hall of Famers Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady will serve as honorary coaches for the Castrol Rising Stars mini tourney, while former NBA player Austin Rivers will coach the G League Rising Stars team.

In addition to Harper Jr, the G League will be represented by Sean East II, Yang Hansen, Ron Harper Jr., David Jones Garcia, Yanic Konan Niederhouser, Alijah Martin, and Tristen Newton.

The 2026 Castrol Rising Stars representing the NBA G League pic.twitter.com/7qwSudcry3

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 26, 2026

Ron Harper Jr. has been a Maine Celtics standout ​

Harper Jr has had a standout season in the G League, averaging 26.9 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, while shooting 49.7% from the field and 40.2% from three.

He’s appeared in 7 games for the Boston Celtics this season, most recently playing rotation minutes in a double-overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.

Previously, Harper Jr spent two years with the Toronto Raptors and one year with the Detroit Pistons. He was on two-way contracts with both teams.

While Harper Jr. got good news regarding the Rising Stars challenge, fellow Celtics rookie Hugo Gonzalez did not. Gonzalez was not selected as one of 10 NBA rookies to participate in Rising Stars; those rookies are Cedric Coward, Egor Demin, VJ Edgecombe, Jeremiah Fears, Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Tre Johnson, Kon Knueppel, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Derik Queen.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/articles/130333/celtics-ron-harper-jr-all-star-weekend-rising-star-game

 

[Boston Celtics]

Same jersey, different job: Neemias Queta

In this series, we’re looking at the biggest statistical differences between last season and the current one to understand how Celtics players have evolved while wearing the same jersey. Not every role change comes with an identity shift. Sometimes, it comes by filling a need. Neemias Queta’s season reflects that idea.

Coming into the year, Queta’s role was expected to evolve, but how? The answer became clear quickly. His minutes per game jumped by more than 10, one of the largest increases on the roster. His usage barely moved (+1.3%), and his scoring efficiency stayed almost identical. The Celtics didn’t ask Queta to change who he was; they asked him to fill the hole created by Luke Kornet’s departure.

That responsibility shows up first in the details. Queta’s turnover rate dropped sharply (-5.1%), while his assist rate held steady. He’s touching the ball more often without disrupting the offense, making quick reads and flowing naturally into the next action. His role isn’t to create, it’s to connect and screen for space.

Offensively, his shot profile barely changed. He’s finishing slightly less at the rim and taking marginally more short- and long-midrange shots, but nothing about his offensive diet suggests expanded freedom. The small drop in assisted field goals reinforces that point: Queta is still a finisher, just a more reliable one, now doing it on a larger volume and often against opposing starting lineups.

Where the impact becomes clearer is on the defensive end. Queta’s block rate (+0.3%) and steal rate (+0.6%) both increased, signaling greater activity. More importantly, the Celtics allowed 10 fewer points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor. That on/off differential speaks to positioning, rim deterrence, and structural defense more than highlight plays.

Another quiet but meaningful indicator is screen assists. Queta averaged 1.7 screen assists per game, a reflection of how often he’s involved before the shot even goes up. He’s creating space without needing the ball, a critical function in Boston’s offensive ecosystem, especially with a diminished spacing compared to last season.

Queta’s season isn’t about changing who he is. It’s about refinement and impact. Fewer mistakes, more repetitions, and a defensive presence that stabilizes lineups. Same jersey, different job.

Below is an overview of his statistical evolution, via Cleaning the Glass:

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/articles/129953/same-jersey-different-job-neemias-queta

 

[Boston Celtics]

Jayson Tatum speaks about injury and life on podcast appearance

Jayson Tatum went on ‘The Pivot Podcast’ with Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor, talking openly about his mindset during his injury, his time with the Celtics, family life, the Olympics, his legacy in Boston, and his relationship with Kobe Bryant.

Injury​

The first question that was asked by Ryan Clark to open the interview was Tatum’s process recovering from his torn Achilles injury that he suffered in the final minutes of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals against the New York Knicks.

Tatum said, “I feel like I could write a book on everything I experienced and went through. It’s different phases, you know: disbelief, shock, disappointment, doubt, initially because you never expect that it is going to happen to you. Then you go through the emotions of, like, life. I couldn’t walk up steps, I had to live with my mom, I needed help with everything… You know one day, I felt like Superman and then the next day, I felt like the smallest man on Earth.”

Channing Crowder then asked him if he was able to “turn the switch off” mentally when it came to being around basketball as a whole. Tatum gave a very honest reply, saying, “I was done with basketball when I got hurt. I felt betrayed by the game. Like I was never one of those guys that never cheated the game, never took it for granted…it just didn’t feel fair that happened to me. Like I really felt betrayed and I needed some time away from the game.”

Tatum then went on to talk about his relationship with Kevin Durant, who also suffered a torn Achilles in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals saying, “KD is a big reason why like the narrative [around a torn Achilles] has changed. He was older than me when he did it and he still returned to being exactly who he is and he is somebody that I’m super close with and have talked to. But just the way he went about it and the way he came back, really changed the narrative around that injury and gave people like myself hope that you can come back and be yourself or be better.”

Clark asked Tatum was about potentially coming back to the Celtics this season and how he would be able to fit back in with the group. Tatum said, “That’s something I contemplate every day. More so about the team, if or when I do come back this season, they would have played 50 some odd games without me so they have an identity this year or things they’ve felt that has clicked for them and it’s been successful…so there’s a thought in my head that is like, how does that work? How does that look with me integrating myself off an injury…and it is a thought like ‘damn, do I come back or should I wait?’ In the last two weeks or so, I contemplate every single day.”

Family Life​

Fred Taylor brought the conversation back to Tatum’s mother, asking him what it was like growing up. Tatum said, “I was very aware of my surroundings like when we didn’t have no heat, when the lights was cut off, when I got to wash my hands and the water not coming out the faucet…when I was younger, I always told myself ‘it’s my dream to be in the NBA but like I can’t wait to take care of my mom.‘”

Tatum then talked about having Deuce and how big his mom was there saying, “Then you fast forward, I had even deeper appreciation when I had my first son. I was 19, but I had all the resources and a great job, but it still takes a village to raise a child and my mom was still helping me out with my son, Deuce. I just remember, I was like, ‘Mom, I don’t know how the f*** you did it. Like how did you make it happen?‘ I am eternally grateful for the unconditional love and tough love that she gave me because I can’t imagine doing it the way she had to do it.”

Clark then asked Tatum about his relationship with his father and how it shaped his journey of also being a dad. He said, “Me and my dad, we close and he was always there, like I’ve known him my whole life. There’s moments where we didn’t have the best relationship and I got to a point where it’s like I want our relationship to be better…I never thought about getting married. I was always like, ‘I want to have a son because I want to have a different relationship with my son than I had with my dad.’ But on the flip side, I wouldn’t change nothing about how I was brought up because it made me who I am.”

Taylor asked Tatum if there was a possibility of potentially playing in the NBA with Deuce like LeBron and Bronny James. Tatum laughed and replied, “That would be incredible. This is my ninth year in the league. Hopefully, it don’t take him that long, maybe he can be one and done and it’ll bring that timeline a little down. But I think that would be incredible.”

Coaching with the Celtics​

Clark asked him about Joe Mazzulla, talking about how when he was asked about Tatum’s injury, he said, “He failed out of medical school.” He wanted to know what type of person Mazzulla is and Tatum answered with a glowing review of his head coach, saying, “The type of person you see in the interviews and the clips, that’s exactly who he is. Joe is one of the best people I have ever been around. One of the best, genuine, fierce, like he’s an ultimate competitor. He wants to win at all costs…But more than that, he cares about every single person in that locker room, on staff, in that organization… and I think it means a little bit more when [a coach] cares about you as a person and that’s exactly what Joe is.”

Crowder then asked him about playing under Brad Stevens, Ime Udoka, and Joe Mazzulla. Tatum said, “I have been very fortunate that I’ve played for some of the best coaches I believe of this generation. It was perfect because each stint that I had to coach was perfect for my development. Brad Stevens isn’t like a rah rah type of guy but when I first got to the league as a 19-year-old, he showed me the NBA game…When we got Ime, it was like, ‘How do we make this jump?’ We had been to the conference finals three times, but we haven’t gotten over that hump. Ime was the best at like getting the best out of guys and pushing your buttons. Joe Mazzulla is like the perfect combination of both.”

Relationship with Jaylen Brown​

Clark moved the conversation back to his time in Boston and the relationship he has with Jaylen Brown. He asked about how him and Brown were able to overcome all the media scrutiny of wondering if they could win a championship together. Tatum responded, “As you get older, you just start maturing and realizing that the grass ain’t always greener on the other side. Understand that we are two guys that love this game, work their butt off, and want to win at all costs…we both got paid, we both had individual success and All-Stars. Now, let’s figure out how do we put it all together.”

Tatum also explained more about the early success they had in their career and the narrative around that saying, “The unfair part of it was we went to the conference finals my rookie year. So, as spectators and as fans, subconsciously, you like, ‘now, they got there they need to go.’ [Brown] was 21 and I had just turned 20 and we went to a Game 7. Then my third year we went to the conference finals, so now people are looking at us like, ‘Oh, y’all can’t get it done.‘”

“Sometimes, we look at star players or younger guys that may be on bad teams for a while, they get more grace because they haven’t been there, so you haven’t expected anything from them. So then, by the time you do expect it, they 27, whereas people was expecting that from us at 20, 21, 22 years old…We were held to a much higher standard than everyone else which is part of being in Boston, playing for the Celtics, you’re expected to win championships, but we’re just thankful that we had an organization that believed that we could be the cornerstones of bringing the championship with the right pieces around us.”

Playing in Boston​

Taylor regaled about his time playing with the Patriots and talked about how Boston is the best region for sports. He asked Tatum what it has been like playing in Boston. Tatum said that his time playing for Duke University helped him prepare for playing in Boston but he talked about the fans and the difference of having to play here, saying, “I think it’s a great place to be in because they expect more, so it raises your level of discipline and focus and play because you come into the arena. There’s only championship banners, like we don’t hang for making a conference finals or divisional. It’s championship or nothing and it’s not like that in any other arena…being here for nine years, like the fans and the people really know the game and they really care. Like, it’s real.”

Clark then asked about the pressure of not winning a championship in Boston despite being so close. Tatum said, “We definitely felt it. A lot of times, former players come back and whether it be Rondo, KG, Paul [Pierce], or Cedric Maxwell who works for the team, they talk about the ‘86 Celtics. The thing they had in common is they won. They won one or multiple championships…if I had the career I had right now with the Grizzlies, I would have a statue outside the arena. But now, I’m chasing people like Larry Bird where the standard is so much higher and it’s like you don’t want to be the great player of the Celtics that ‘oh, you the one guy that didn’t win.‘”

The Olympics​

Clark asked about his time on Team USA during the 2024 Olympics where it was highly publicized that he wasn’t getting any time on the court. Tatum said it was tough, explaining, “In 2024, I was First Team All-NBA, came off a championship, I was on the cover of 2K, like I was on top of the world. I just signed the largest contract in NBA history and then I get to the Olympics and it didn’t go how I wanted it. We still won, I built some relationships, and I gained some great memories from it but the toughest part was everybody was like, ‘Yo, I can’t wait until you play the Warriors. I know you going to try and kill them. Like when you see Steve Kerr again and it was like, ‘Yeah, how about like how am I feeling right now?’… I feel like people didn’t take into account how I was trying to process that in real time because I couldn’t process. I couldn’t understand.“

Crowder then asked if he could have talked to Steve Kerr about his playing time but Tatum didn’t feel like rocking the boat. He said, “I always keep it cool. I’m not going to rock the boat. I’m always going to be a professional. I’m going to show up. Cuz we’re here to win a gold medal, right? If we come up short, we wasted our summer. So, I was still able to keep that even though I could disagree or me and the coach not seeing eye to eye… I still had the wherewithal of like, ‘I’m going to do what I can with the time that they give me and we still going to find a way to win.‘”

Relationship with Kobe Bryant​

Finally, Clark asked about the disrespect that Kobe Bryant has gotten in the general audience in recent years. Tatum used the word “cowardly” in his response and how people never spoke about him like that when he was alive. Tatum said Kobe was the reason as why he worked so hard growing up, saying, “He is the reason why I woke up at 5:30 in the morning, why I chased my dream, because I saw how hard he worked. I watched all his interviews, I watched his mannerisms, how he played on the court, how he handled adversity, how he handled winning. He was my inspiration and my idol. So, somebody 3,000 miles away from me inspired me to be who I am. When I see people discredit him or talk out the side of their neck, I do kind of take it personal because it’s like that dude meant everything to me and this energy wasn’t the same when he was here.”

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/article...ance-boston-celtics-jaylen-brown-joe-mazzulla

 

[Boston Celtics]

Joe Mazzulla’s revolving door

There were many doors for Boston to walk through this season. Some led to a high lottery pick, where player development became the priority — while others offered a chance to stay competitive. Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics found something at the intersection of both, where uncertainty is a weapon and development is the byproduct of a relentless, winning system.

Effort, consistency, and impact are the only true currencies in this locker room. Most teams — especially contenders — rely on rigid hierarchies. Mazzulla, however, treats his rotation like a living organism. It’s a literal revolving door where strong performances are rewarded with minutes and roles can shift on a game-to-game basis.

For opponents, it’s a nightmare to prep for. Without a fixed rotation to scheme against, pressure points shift nightly, if they exist at all.

We’ve seen the importance of the Stay Ready Group culture the organization has built, but this team has taken it to another level. In previous years, that meant being prepared in a pinch. Now, your moment could come any game, at any time.

The lack of a set rotation could’ve been problematic. Instead, it’s led to heightened competition that is accelerating development.

When opportunity exists in a tangible, reachable way, players know they’re working for something. Celtics teams of the past few years haven’t had room for young players to truly break through from practice to the rotation. Boston’s most stable minutes belong to Brown, White, Pritchard, and Queta. Simons and Hauser lead the rest of the pack, but on a nightly basis, either could see their minutes swapped for anyone.

The youth movement has been the most visible beneficiary. Jordan Walsh went from an afterthought to the fifth starter for 20 straight games, leapfrogging Josh Minott, who had his own impressive stretch as a starter. Hugo Gonzalez found his path, stealing minutes whenever the game calls for effort and tenacity — even in crunch time. Baylor Scheierman has become a trusted rotation option, too.

Most recently, Amari Williams and Ron Harper Jr. have followed suit, earning opportunities on two-way deals.

But the revolving door applies to the veterans, too. Sam Hauser saw his minutes shrink in December, and now he’s started 12 games in a row, playing arguably the best basketball of his career. Similarly, Luka Garza was completely zapped from the rotation for nearly a month, yet he stayed ready enough to reclaim a significant role as the first big off the bench.

The approach is fittingly ironic for a coach who has long treated even the most basic life situations with tactical paranoia. Mazzulla has admitted he avoids physical revolving doors because “if one of them gets stuck, then you’re just a sitting duck.”

On the court, Mazzulla has weaponized that very fear. By refusing to let his rotation get stuck in a rigid pecking order, he’s ensured the Celtics are never the ones trapped. Instead, it’s the rest of the league left guessing — trying to prepare for a team where any man can be up and the door never stops spinning.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/articles/130498/joe-mazzullas-revolving-door

 

[Boston Celtics]

Three questions ahead of Celtics-Hawks

More time for Amari?

Over the last three games, Amari Williams played five minutes against the Brooklyn Nets, then followed that with 10 minutes against the Chicago Bulls during a back-to-back. In his limited time, Williams impressed with his defensive ability while also looking competent on the offensive end. That earned him an expanded role, as Joe Mazzulla gave Williams 26 minutes against the Portland Trail Blazers.

In those 26 minutes, Williams scored nine points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked two shots.

Mazzulla often talks about a “next man up” mentality, and with Neemias Queta dealing with an illness, Williams took advantage of the opportunity. He’s made a case for working his way into the rotation. In the limited NBA minutes we’ve seen so far, Williams gives off Robert Williams (Time Lord) vibes, maybe because he was competing against him, but it’s something that stands out.

I don’t expect Williams to become a key cog in the rotation by any means, and I think he’s benefited from developing out of the spotlight in Maine. Still, when Boston’s frontcourt is dealing with an injury or illness, Williams needs to be ready. I’d personally love to see him get more minutes throughout the rest of the season, even if it’s only sparingly.

Can Boston snap Atlanta’s streak?

The Hawks, currently 10th in the Eastern Conference, are on a three-game winning streak after defeating the Grizzlies, Suns and Pacers. During that stretch, Atlanta has received contributions from a variety of players.

The main player the Celtics need to contain is Jalen Johnson. Johnson does just about everything for Atlanta, leading the team in points (23 ppg), rebounds (10.4) and assists (7.9), while shooting 50.5% from the field and 35% from three-point range. In their earlier meeting this month, the Celtics held Johnson to 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while forcing four turnovers. If Boston can limit his production again, it stands a good chance of getting the job done.

Another player the Celtics will need to keep in check is Onyeka Okongwu, who had a strong performance in the last meeting. Okongwu led the Hawks with 21 points in that game. More recently, he scored 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting against the Phoenix Suns. With Kristaps Porzingis in and out of the lineup, Okongwu has enjoyed increased playing time and a larger role with the Latvian sidelined.

Will there be another Hauser or Brown 2.0 performance?

In Boston’s 132-106 win over the Hawks in Atlanta, much of the postgame conversation, rightfully so, centered around Sam Hauser’s 30-point performance. Hauser attempted 21 three-pointers and made 10 of them, without taking a single shot inside the arc.

When Hauser is feeling it and knocks down his first shot of the game, I tend to believe he’s in for a good night. Given the space he found against Atlanta last time, it’s safe to assume Quinn Snyder will emphasize not losing track of Hauser, whether in the half court or in transition.

One player who somehow flew under the radar that night was Jaylen Brown, who scored 41 points. Celtics fans have grown accustomed to Brown putting up 30-plus points consistently this season, but he quietly dropped 41 in his home city. Hopefully both Hauser and Brown can replicate those performances Wednesday.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/boston-...130537/three-questions-ahead-of-celtics-hawks

 

[Boston Celtics]

10 Takeaways from the Celtics rough loss to the Hawks

1. Tough Day at the Office​

After the Celtics went into Atlanta and beat the Hawks by 26, Atlanta decided to return the favor by beating Boston 117-106 in TD Garden. It was an annoying game to watch because every time the Celtics got close to coming back and cut into the lead, the Hawks would go on a run. The frustration was definitely boiling over for Boston, no better personified than when Joe Mazzulla lost it on the refs in the third quarter. Mazzulla essentially waved the white flag at the 4:39 mark of the fourth quarter and Atlanta exacted their revenge.

Joe Mazzulla is HEATED at the refs. Poor Sam Cassell tried to hold him back… pic.twitter.com/7ACryYWAZZ

— Danielle Hobeika (@DanielleHobeika) January 29, 2026

In the postgame interview, Joe Mazzulla was adiment about this being a game that you just flush away. From the hot Hawks shooting to the Celtics turnovers, Mazzulla just chalked it up to “just a bad day at the office.”

Joe Mazzulla on the tough loss and the Hawks three point shooting

“Tough day at the office” pic.twitter.com/ulc7IuBSKl

— Ian Inangelo (@iinangelo) January 29, 2026

2. Celtics Slow Start Cost them the game​

This loss started with the Celtics very slow start to the first quarter and it felt like they never recovered from it. The Hawks went on a 26-9 run to open the game up by 3:35 mark. Anfernee Simons tried to will the Celtics back into the game with 8 straight points out of the timeout, but the score was 38-18 after the first quarter. The Hawks shot 13-26 (50%) from the field and 7-12 (58%) from three. Although Boston got close multiple times in this game, the monster start by Atlanta really was the beginning of the end for this game.

3. Three Point Difference​

In the past the Celtics have won and lost games this season just because of the three point shot. That was the great equalizer again in this game, but it was on the losing end for Boston. The Celtics shot 9-34 (27%) from three as a team in this one while the Hawks shot 18-42 (43%) from three. In a game where Boston lost by 11 and Atlanta made 9 more three pointers, that is a recipe for a guaranteed loss.

4. Brown/Pritchard/White Off Nights​

It was a tough game for the Celtics three main offensive guys tonight as Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard, and Derrick White all combined to shoot 19-44 (43%) from the field but 1-13 (7%) from three. There were times where all three of them had short bursts in this game that cut in to Atlanta’s lead but it never felt all that cohesive.

Derrick White had a burst in the third quarter that started with a three on wing. He then was able to make a nice driving layup off of a good screen by Luka Garza. Next he was being defended by Jalen Johnson, was able to stop on a dime and hit a mid range jumper over him. Finally, he drove into the midrange and hit a floater over CJ McCollum.

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Pritchard went on his short run at the beginning of the fourth quarter. He started with a pump fake over McCollum, got him up in the air, then finished a wide open layup. The next bucket came when he ran around a Garza screen and hit a nice midrange jumper over Onyeka Okongwu. Finally, he was matched up on Corey Kispert and hit another mid range jumper over him after make a quick stop.

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Brown also had his burst in the fourth quarter but it was in the middle when the Celtics were trying to make their last attempt at winning the game. He started with a nice play where Luke Kennard was guarding him and Brown just took him to his spot in the midrange and splashed the jumper. The next play came on a drive blowing by Jalen Johnson where he was fouled and finished the layup for an And-1. The third play was a goal tending call against Dyson Daniels. Finally, he was matched up on Daniels again and hit a sweet midrange jumper with him draped all over him.

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5. Anfernee Simons​

In a game where a lot of guys struggled to get going, Anfernee Simons was able to play a pretty good game overall. He finished with 12 points on 5-7 shooting from the field and 2-4 from three. He was a big part of the Celtics turning the game around in the first quarter with some really huge baskets.

Simons came out of a Celtics timeout and finished a nice finger roll over the outstretched arm of Okongwu. Next he got the ball from Amari Williams and hit a side step three over Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Finally, on the next Celtics possession he hit another three over Alexander-Walker in essentially the same exact place.

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6. Luka Garza​

Another guy that had a good night for the Celtics in this game was Luka Garza coming off of the bench after missing Monday’s game against the Trail Blazers with an illness. Garza finished with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and a career high 6 assists.

All of Garza’s baskets came in the second quarter but they were pretty much all tough buckets. The first one was a put back layup where he sealed off Luke Kennard and was able to finish the play after Jordan Walsh missed a layup. The next play came when Brown found him wide open underneath the basket and finished an And-1 layup through contact. The third basket was another layup, this time off of a nice bounce pass by Derrick White. The fourth was an all out hustle play where he missed a layup, grabbed his own rebound, and put it back up to score. Finally, after Brown missed a layup, Garza was able to tap it back up twice to finish the basket.

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When it comes to his new career high in assists, Garza had two of them that made him look like the new-aged Magic Johnson. The first one came off of a nice offense rebound off of a Sam Hauser missed three. Hauser then was able to relocate to the corner where Garza made a nice pass to find him to hit the three. The second started with a nice pick and roll between Hugo Gonzalez and Luka Garza. Garza received a bounce pass and made a nice pass over a double team to find a cutting Jordan Walsh who finished with a reverse layup.

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7. Tough Amari Williams Game​

Coming off a couple good games against the Bulls and the Trail Blazers, Amari Williams had a bit of rough game. Williams finished with 2 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists on 1-3 shooting. He started the game for the Celtics and played 10 minutes in the first quarter but after that was benched for the rest of the game until garbage time. The reason I can think of for his benching was a culmination of the two smoked layups and two turnovers in the first quarter.

His firs tough play came on a bad pass to Jaylen Brown. Williams was trying to make a bounce pass to Brown but just threw it into Dyson Daniels feet for a turnover that resulted in a Corey Kispert three. The next play came on the Celtics next offensive possession where he ran a pick and roll with Brown. Two defenders went to Brown and it looked like Williams had an easy layup but he just smoked it on the way up. The next one came on alley-oop pass from Derrick White that Williams didn’t slam down, but tried to lay it up and smoked again. Finally, at the end of the first quarter, he committed an illegal screen at half court on Alexander-Walker and Mazzulla pulled him for the rest of the night. This is normal for a rookie in the NBA to have growing pains but it was hard not to see Williams performance as a reason for the Celtics slow start in this game.

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8. Baylor Scheierman Hustle​

Baylor Scheierman had a quite two first quarters of this game but once he entered the game in the third quarter, he was chaos personified. Scheierman had all 6 of his points in the third quarter along with 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and a lot of hustle plays.

Scheierman started his run of great play by drawing a charge on Jalen Johnson where Johnson threw his shoulder into Baylor’s chest. Then on the next possession, Baylor drew the attention of three Hawks defenders and found Hugo Gonzalez wide open for a corner three. The next play came where the ball was being juggled in the air, Scheierman picked it off and drove to the lane for a layup. That was until Okongwu hit him with a horse collar tackle and Baylor went to the line and hit 1-2 free throws. Finally, at the 1:13 mark, Scheierman backed down CJ McCollum from the three point line to the basket and finished an And-1 layup over him.

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9. No paint defense​

Neemias Queta was ruled OUT before this game with an illness and I didn’t know the Celtics would look so poor in the paint without him. Clearly he is what makes their defense role because Boston ended up getting destroyed in the points in the paint battle, giving up 44. Hawks were able to take advantage of Williams to start the game in the first quarter, shooting 5-9. The second quarter was a little better for Boston as Garza took over and held Atlanta to 4-9 shooting. However, once the Celtics ran a small ball lineup in the third quarter, the Hawks were able to feast down low, shooting 8-9.

10. Bad Turnover Game​

This was a game that was dominated by turnovers for the Celtics. The Hawks only finished with 9 turnovers but Boston ended with 16 turnovers on the night where Atlanta was able to generate 23 points off of them. These turnovers were most seen in the first half as the Celtics had 9 of them. This culminated with the tough shooting game from three was a big reason for the loss.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/articles/130645/10-takeaways-from-the-celtics-rough-loss-to-the-hawks