Boston Celtics Defeat Golden State Warriors Behind Dynamic Duo Of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum

Steve Kerr watched the Boston Celtics completely dismantle his squad last month in San Francisco. On Wednesday night, the Golden State Warriors head coach had a front-row seat to the sequel at TD Garden, and spoiler alert: the ending was just as brutal for the visitors.

The Celtics absolutely steamrolled an undermanned Warriors team 120-99, turning what was once a highly anticipated Finals rematch into a casual Wednesday night shootaround. If you were looking for late-game drama, you tuned into the wrong broadcast. The Celtics led for the final 44 minutes of this lopsided affair, reminding everyone in the league exactly why they are the absolute gold standard this season.

Jaylen Brown Ascends Into Celtics Scoring Royalty

Let’s talk about Jaylen Brown for a second, because the man was an absolute menace on the floor. Brown didn’t just have a good game; he bullied his way into the franchise history books. Pouring in 32 points on an ultra-efficient 11-of-21 from the floor, Brown officially pushed his career scoring total to 13,202 points.

Why does that matter? Because it moves him past Hall of Famers Jo Jo White and Dave Cowens to take sole possession of 10th place on the Celtics’ all-time scoring list. Think about the legends hanging in the rafters in Boston. You don’t just accidentally stumble into the top 10 of a franchise that boasts names like Larry Bird, John Havlicek, Paul Pierce, and Bill Russell.

Brown set the tone from the opening tip. He dropped 19 points in the first quarter alone, slicing past Kristaps Porzingis for a baseline dunk and treating backup big man Quinten Post like a turnstile on his way to the rim.

The Jayson Tatum Problem

As if dealing with a red-hot Brown wasn’t enough of a nightmare for Golden State, Jayson Tatum decided to remind everyone why he is a perennial MVP candidate. Tatum, returning to full form after his Achilles surgery rehab, logged a smooth 24-point, 10-rebound double-double.

Here is a terrifying thought for the rest of the NBA: the Celtics now feature two of the top 10 scorers in the history of the most storied franchise in basketball on the same active roster. Tatum currently sits at ninth on that same historic list. On six other NBA teams, Tatum and Brown would already rank first and second in all-time franchise scoring.

Their chemistry on Wednesday was flawless. In the first quarter, every single bucket the Celtics scored was either made or assisted by their superstar duo. The spacing was pristine, the ball movement was unselfish, and the Warriors’ defense looked like they were trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded.

A Depleted Golden State Squad Running On Fumes

You almost have to feel bad for Golden State. Almost. The Warriors rolled into Boston playing their third game in four nights, completely running on fumes. They trotted out their 13th different starting lineup in as many games, desperately trying to find a spark. Steph Curry was relegated to street clothes, though he did give fans a glimmer of hope by taking part in some pregame shooting drills.

Former Celtic Kristaps Porzingis made his emotional return to Boston, catching a nice tribute video and a standing ovation from the crowd. He managed 11 points and 5 boards, finishing as a plus-3 in a game his team lost by 21. When being a plus-3 in a blowout is your team’s silver lining, you know it’s a rough night at the office.

What This Win Means For Boston

The Celtics are officially back on a terrifying roll. After a bizarre two-game hiccup on the road earlier this month, Boston has ripped off three straight victories.

What makes this team so dangerous isn’t just the star power; it’s the depth. When the Warriors tried to key in on the stars, guys like second-string Center Luka Garza stepped up to drop 15 points and grab 7 boards. Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser were out there draining back-breaking threes to stretch the floor, pushing the lead to an insurmountable 21 points by the third quarter.

If this game proved anything, it’s that the Celtics are operating on an entirely different wavelength right now. They have the star power, they have the historical pedigree, and most importantly, they have the swagger of a team that knows nobody can stop them when they are locked in.