Jayson Tatum’s highly anticipated matchup against the Warriors didn’t go as planned, with the Boston Celtics struggling to overcome a sluggish first half in a 118-112 loss at TD Garden. Though Warriors head coach Steve Kerr’s energy ignited the crowd, Boston’s lackluster offense quickly dimmed the atmosphere.
In the first half, Boston shot only 35.1%, missed 14 three-pointers, and committed 10 turnovers, leaving them trailing 51-40 at halftime. Their defense managed to contain Golden State somewhat, but their offense faltered, scoring just 16 points in the second quarter—their lowest single-quarter output this season.
Acknowledging their first home loss since last season’s Eastern Conference semifinals, the Celtics took ownership of missed opportunities. “They blitzed us and threw us off our rhythm, but we started moving the ball better later,” said Payton Pritchard, adding that the team needed to be more physical and avoid turnovers that let the Warriors take advantage. Pritchard, usually a strong candidate for Sixth Man of the Year, struggled himself, going 0-for-4 from three-point range.
Boston rebounded with a 41-point third quarter, even taking a four-point lead late in the fourth. However, Golden State, with Buddy Hield’s clutch three-pointer and Kevon Looney’s offensive rebounds, managed to close out the win.
Reflecting on the game, Pritchard pointed to key plays that shifted momentum: “Looney had a few critical putbacks, and we left Hield open for a crucial three. We’ll look back on these moments, knowing they were within our control.”
With a nearly unchanged roster from last season, Boston has been adjusting to the absence of Jaylen Brown (hip injury) and Kristaps Porzingis, who is expected back in December. Last season, even without Porzingis, Boston dominated Golden State with a 140-88 blowout at TD Garden.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized the importance of the game’s details, noting that while Boston responded to Golden State’s physicality, the Warriors executed key plays better. “In the second half, our spacing improved, and we found the right passes, but we let up on the little things—allowing offensive rebounds and an open look for Hield,” he said.
Now with two preventable losses in their first nine games, the Celtics aim to make adjustments as they look ahead to their Friday night matchup against the Brooklyn Nets.
