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[Boston Celtics]

10 Takeaways from the Celtics wild loss to Spurs

SAN ANTONIO, TX -MARCH 10: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs jokes with Ron Harper Jr. #13 of the Boston Celtics at the end of the game at Frost Bank Center on March 10, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

1. Jaylen Brown Masterclass Before Ejection​

In one of the biggest games of the season Jaylen Brown was ejected with 3:42 left in the second quarter after he was pushed out of bounds. Crew Chief referee Tyler Ford was standing right there watching the foul and just decided not to call it, making Brown rightfully mad. Ford gave Brown the first technical foul but it was the side judge Suyash Mehta who ejected him from the game.

This is the play that Jaylen Brown got ejected on. This is just ridiculous pic.twitter.com/HIHzWIzGdZ

— Ian Inangelo (@iinangelo) March 11, 2026

That is a shame because in his short time in the game, Brown was poised to have a MVP level night. He had 8 points and 7 assists on 4-8 shooting in 15 minutes. It makes me sick to think about how good Brown could have been. He was just starting to get it going on offense and he was attacking Victor Wembanyama, accepting the challenge. Just a brutal way to end the night for Jaylen Brown.

2. Derrick White Tried to Carry​

When Jaylen Brown was ejected, Payton Pritchard out, and Jayson Tatum still coming back, Derrick White did everything in his power to try and bring the Celtics back into the game. He ended up finishing with a season high 34 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds on 11-22 shooting. Sadly he just ran out of gas in the fourth quarter but it was a valiant effort.

White’s third quarter was really special, scoring 19 points on 7-12 shooting. White did all of his scoring with only making one three pointer. He was able to work around some great screens by Neemias Queta to get to the basket and make some wild finishes over the defenders including Victor Wembanyama. My favorite was his third basket when he took Wemby off the dribble, got underneath him, and finished with a layup before he could block it.

3. Jayson Tatum Continues to Improve​

In Jayson Tatum’s third game back he started to show even more glimpses of his old self. He finished with a season high 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals, on 10-24 shooting from the field and 4-14 shooting from three. Tatum had stretches in this game where he started to take over in short scoring bursts where he carried the Celtics offense by himself.

Obviously the shooting numbers don’t look the best on paper but I thought outside of a few plays, Tatum looked pretty comfortable getting to his spots and shooting. His drives continue to look impressive, having two plays where he beat Victor Wembanyama off the dribble that resulted in shots at the rim.

His stretch early in the fourth quarter is a great example of how he started to take over. Tatum scored 7-straight points off of some great plays over Wembanyama contests and a fall away three pointer that forced the Spurs to call a timeout and cut their lead to 3 points. If he wasn’t on a minutes restriction, I was convinced Tatum had a chance of leading a comeback win but it just wasn’t meant to be.

4. Ron Harper Jr Career Game​

Ron Harper Jr has looked good in short spurts this season. With Payton Pritchard being out for this game, he got a chance to show what he could do against the Spurs and did not disappoint. Harper finished with a career high 22 points on 8-11 shooting and 6-9 from three. Was this career night due to playing against his little brother Dylan Harper, maybe, but Ron really showed out in this game.

His three point shooting was absolutely insane in this game. All of his threes in this game were heavily contested by San Antonio and Harper Jr was able to shoot over them like it was nothing. Whether it was from the corner or the top of the key or with the shot clock running down, Ron Harper Jr showed tonight that he is a legitimate NBA role player.

5. Sam Hauser Solid Contributor​

Coming off a scorching hot game against the Cavaliers on Sunday, Sam Hauser continued his solid play against the Spurs, finishing with 11 points and 7 rebounds on 4-10 shooting from the field and 3-8 shooting from three. Over his last 5 games, Hauser is shooting 39% from beyond the arc and has really done a great job in the starting lineup with Tatum’s return.

The second quarter was where Hauser made his mark in this game, scoring 9 points on 3 three pointers. He was able to fire the ball quickly on his catch-and-shoot opportunities and he was a big reason the Celtics were ahead early in this game.

6. Bench With No Pritchard​

The Celtics bench was stretched incredibly thin in this game with both Nikola Vucevic (fractured right ring finger) and Payton Pritchard (neck spasms) being ruled out for this game. Outside of Ron Harper Jr who had 22 points, the rest of the bench only scored 11 points between Baylor Scheierman (6 points), Luka Garza (3 points), Hugo Gonzalez (2 points) and Jordan Walsh (1 point).

Missing Vucevic killed the Celtics when it came to throwing another body at Victor Wembanyama. I’m not sure he would have done a better job defending him, but I do think he would have a better chance than Garza who got cooked all night. I feel Vucevic would have given Wemby a little more of a challenge and could have also helped be a third center when Garza got into foul trouble.

Missing Pritchard was felt heavily once Jaylen Brown was ejected. In games where Brown didn’t play this season, Pritchard has averaged 23.6 Points on 46% shooting from the field and 45% shooting from three. He would have had a chance to provide Tatum and White with more help when it came to being another player who could create his own shot. Luckily his neck spasms don’t seem serious so he could come back to play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Celtics next matchup.

Joe Mazzulla said Payton Pritchard’s neck spasm is not expected to linger beyond today.

— Jay King (@ByJayKing) March 10, 2026

7. Celtics Ran Out of Gas​

After losing Jaylen Brown in the second quarter and being without the services of Pritchard and Vucevic, the Celtics were only down 97-90 after three quarters. Boston cut the Spurs lead to 1 point at the 6:38 mark of the fourth quarter and it looked like they had a chance to pull off a huge victory.

Sadly, San Antonio would then rattle off a 12-0 run and Boston just could not hit a shot to save their lives in response. They battled in this game but shooting 9-24 (38%) from the field and 6-17 (35%) from three just wasn’t enough to beat the Spurs who were just on fire from three.

8. Spurs Three Point Shooting​

Coming into this game, the Spurs ranked 17th in the NBA in threes made per game at 13.4. Against the Celtics, they shot 20-47 (43%) and basically beat Boston at their own game. They were using Victor Wembanyama to draw two players away from the three point line and that opened up so many wide open shots that San Antonio knocked down.

Wembanyama helped by making 8 of those 20 threes but it was just a crazy hot shooting night for the Spurs that the Celtics just couldn’t stop.

9. Victor Wembanyama is Insane​

You can turn on any Spurs game and be marveled by how good Victor Wembanyama is but when he does it against your team it just feels different. Wemby finished with 39 points and 11 rebounds on 11-20 shooting from the field and 8-15 shooting from three.

He tied his career high for three pointers made in a game and was taking advantage of Luka Garza and Neemias Queta playing drop coverage on him. It looked like the Celtics game plan was to just let him shoot and Wembanyama made them pay.

When he turns into a 7’5” Steph Curry while also being able to dunk on every player on your roster, you just have to sit back and scratch your head at how you even guard him. If it wasn’t obvious to you yet, Victor Wembanyama is going to be the next face of the NBA and its only a matter of time before he reaches his full power and reeks havoc on the basketball world.

10. Potential Finals Preview?​

With the all the craziness that happened in this game between Brown and the Spurs shooting like the 2017 Warriors from three, I would say Boston played a pretty good game. I also wouldn’t put past the chance that this could be a potential NBA Finals matchup.

If both teams did make it to the finals this season, I would think Boston would have the slight edge just based on their championship experience. Tatum, Brown, White, Pritchard, and Hauser have all been part of the Celtics core on their 2024 championship so they know what it takes to win it all. Outside of Harrison Barnes and former Celtic Luke Kornet, the Spurs young core just doesn’t have the experience. To that point however, Victor Wembanyama is a basketball demi-god so experience might not matter.

Out of the contenders in the West, the Spurs definitely look like the best option on paper for the Celtics to beat over the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder. So if the stars aligned and we got a Boston vs San Antonio NBA Finals matchup, I think the Celtics would have a legitimate shot to win the series just based on the way they have been able to compete against them so far in the regular season.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/celtics...s-jaylen-brown-jayson-tatum-victor-wembanyama

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics injury report reveals team could be very shorthanded vs Thunder

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 12: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics hugs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder after a game at the TD Garden on March 12, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jayson Tatum could miss his first game since returning from injury when the Celtics face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night. Tatum is listed as questionable to play with “right Achilles repair reconditioning.” He’s appeared in three games so far for the Celtics, averaging 19.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists.

Derrick White is also questionable to play as he deals with a right knee contusion. It appears likely he suffered that injury at the end of the third quarter of Tuesday’s Celtics game against the San Antonio Spurs, though the team has yet to specify.

And, the Celtics continue to be without Nikola Vucevic, who fractured his right index finger last Friday and underwent surgery on Saturday. The Celtics said then that Vucevic would be re-evaluated in three to four weeks, meaning he’s unlikely to return with much time to spare in the regular season.

With Vucevic sidelined, Luka Garza is likely to keep seeing increased minutes. Across the three games since Vucevic’s injury, he’s averaged 6.7 points in 17.7 minutes, after falling out of the rotation since the trade deadline.

Payton Pritchard, who missed Tuesday’s game due to neck spasms, is probable.

How the Celtics, Thunder stack up​

The Thunder, despite an injury-riddled 2025-2026 campaign, have been the NBA’s best team all season long. They’re 51-15, have the league’s best net rating at +10.8. The Thunder have the NBA’s best defensive rating at 106.2, and its 7th-best offensive rating at 117. They’ve won 9 of their last 10 games, and 6 straight.

The Thunder have been without Jalen Williams (hamstring), Alex Caruso (hip), and Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) of late.

But different players have stepped up in their absence. For example, against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, Jaylin Williams exploded for 29 points and 12 rebounds. And guards Ajay Mitchell (a 2024 second-round pick) and Jared McCain (acquired at the trade deadline) have played key minutes off the bench.

And, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looks like the MVP front-runner; he’s averaging 31.7 points and 6.6 assists per game, while shooting 55.1% from the field and 38.3% from three.

After losing to the Spurs on Tuesday, the Celtics are 43-22 and have the NBA’s second-best net rating at +7.9. The Celtics have the league’s second-best offensive rating (119.8) and fifth-best defensive rating (111.8).

The two teams have yet to face each other this season, but will meet twice this month, the second match-up coming on March 25th at TD Garden.

Last year, the Celtics went 0-2 against the Thunder.

The Celtics are set to face the Thunder on Thursday at 9pm ET at Paycom Center.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/boston-...ury-report-thunder-jayson-tatum-derrick-white

 

[Boston Celtics]

Jaylen Brown: “People constantly just move the bar” in the MVP race

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 10: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on March 10, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Jaylen Brown has put together the best all-around season of his career. That’s less opinion than fact at this point.

The Boston Celtics forward is averaging 28.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists while carrying the team through most of the season without Jayson Tatum. Boston has held a firm grasp on second place in the Eastern Conference despite major roster turnover and months of uncertainty, keeping just enough distance between themselves and the Knicks and Cavaliers.

And yet, Brown still isn’t widely considered a serious MVP contender. He finished sixth in ESPN’s latest straw poll, receiving zero first (or second) place votes.

Speaking on the Cousins podcast with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady (am I the only one who assumed this meant DeMarcus Cousins’ podcast?), Brown acknowledged that winning the award would be meaningful, but also suggested the standards for earning it can feel like a moving target.

Jaylen Brown on potentially winning MVP:

"I feel like I fit the criteria for it. … But people constantly just move the bar. We fast forward, and now I don't have enough to fit the criteria, I probably never will no matter what I do." @FCHWPO pic.twitter.com/sXkwK1ISn1

— Cousins with Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady (@VinceAndTmac) March 11, 2026

“I feel like I fit the criteria for it,” Brown said. “Especially with what people were saying about me before the season… I’ve been able to shoulder that and help lead my team to where we are now.”

“But people constantly just move the bar. Now we fast forward, and now I don’t have enough to fit the criteria. So, I probably never will, no matter what.”

It’s a sentiment that probably resonates with many Celtics fans who have watched Brown’s season unfold.

Boston entered the year surrounded by questions. The Celtics moved on from several key pieces of their 2024 championship roster, and Tatum has missed a large portion of the season recovering from his Achilles injury. Analysts and fans alike expected the team to slide down the standings.

Instead, the former Finals MVP raised his game to another level. Brown became the Celtics’ primary offensive engine, took on a larger playmaking role, and helped guide a younger roster through one of the most unpredictable seasons the franchise has faced in years.

The MVP race, however, remains stacked. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, and Victor Wembanyama have all produced seasons that are difficult to argue against.

Brown probably isn’t the MVP this year, and even he seems to recognize that reality.

But his frustration speaks to something broader about how the award is discussed. The MVP conversation rarely follows a consistent standard. Some seasons reward overwhelming individual numbers (see Russell Westbrook in 2017). Others lean toward the best player on the best team (see Giannis in the 2019 and 2020 seasons). Sometimes voters prioritize narrative, like a player dragging an injury-ravaged roster into contention.

Brown’s season checks several of those boxes. He carried Boston all year without Jayson Tatum and kept the Celtics near the top of the Eastern Conference when many predicted them to possible fall out of playoff contention. In other seasons, that kind of story would have pushed a player firmly into the MVP conversation.

This season, however, the race has been defined by historically dominant campaigns from several other stars. The bar didn’t necessarily move. It just rose.

For Brown, though, the award still isn’t the ultimate goal.

He told Carter and McGrady that winning another championship would mean far more than an MVP trophy. And with Tatum now back in the lineup and the Celtics beginning to look whole again, that objective remains very much in play.

Whether Brown ever wins the award or not, Celtics fans will remember how he carried the team through its most uncertain stretch of this unexpectedly delightful season — and delivered like a superstar when Boston needed one most.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/boston-...-constantly-just-move-the-bar-in-the-mvp-race