The Boston Celtics overcame a slow start to defeat the Brooklyn Nets 104-96 on Tuesday night without Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The Celtics, now 50-19, took their first loss without their two franchise cornerstones this season. Tatum (right knee tendinopathy) and Brown (right knee posterior impingement) were sidelined, but other players stepped up to help the team secure the win.
The Celtics struggled in the first half, scoring just 44 points on 35.9% shooting from the field and 25% from three-point range. However, a performance by rookie Baylor Scheierman and a strong showing by Kristaps Porzingis helped turn the game around after halftime.
Scheierman had a career-high 20 points in just 16 minutes of playing time, including hitting 6-of-7 from three-point range. He also provided several hustle plays on defense. Porzingis scored a game-high 25 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in his return to the court after an eight-game absence.
Jrue Holiday contributed with 12 points and a game-high eight assists, leading the Celtics to their win. The team’s bench also played well, with Derrick White chipping in 18 points despite struggling from three-point range.
On the other side of the court, Al Horford was virtually invisible, scoring just four points on five shots. Torrey Craig got limited playing time but failed to make an impact, and Derrick White’s performance was marred by several turnovers.
Source: https://nesn.com/2025/03/three-studs-three-duds-as-rookie-propels-shorthanded-celtics-past-nets