Boston Celtics Rally Late to Defeat Brooklyn Nets 113-99

The Boston Celtics faced a difficult game on Tuesday night, even though the Brooklyn Nets have been one of the weakest teams in the NBA this season. Playing at the Barclays Center, the Celtics struggled with turnovers, slow defense, and foul trouble, but still fought back to secure a 113-99 win. This victory pushed their record to 8-7 and put them above the .500 mark for the first time this season.

Boston committed 20 turnovers, their highest of the season. Jaylen Brown made eight, while Derrick White and Payton Pritchard each added several more. Because of these mistakes, the Celtics trailed the Nets early in the fourth quarter and could not take control until the final minutes.

The Nets entered the game with only two wins this season, both against weaker teams. They ranked near the bottom of the league in overall performance and were the worst in defensive rating. Still, they surprised Boston by playing fast and aggressively.

The Celtics gave up four transition three-pointers in the first quarter alone. By the time coach Joe Mazzulla called his second timeout, Boston was down 21-11 and unable to slow Brooklyn’s pace. The Nets also dominated on the fast break, scoring 22 points in transition before halftime, even though they usually average only 8.6 per game.

Payton Pritchard helped turn the game around with a strong first quarter, hitting three-pointers, scoring free throws, and assisting teammates. Because of his effort, Boston ended the first quarter tied 29-29. Pritchard finished the game with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, including 5 three-pointers.

Jaylen Brown, despite his turnovers, delivered a powerful scoring performance. He scored 29 points on 9-for-19 shooting, including a key stretch in the third quarter where he scored 17 of Boston’s 27 points. His energy and shot-making were crucial in keeping the Celtics in the game.

Even though Boston shot very well—61% from the field and 52% from three—the turnovers caused major problems. The Celtics’ 12 first-half turnovers gave Brooklyn 17 points. Boston, normally one of the most careful teams with the ball, struggled to stay organized.

Foul trouble made things worse. Jordan Walsh and Neemias Queta each picked up four fouls early in the third quarter. This forced Boston to use players deeper in the bench, such as Josh Minott and Xavier Tillman.

In the fourth quarter, the Nets briefly took the lead with a three-pointer from Michael Porter Jr. But from that point, the Celtics locked in defensively. Sam Hauser stole the ball and hit a three-pointer to start an 8-0 run. Although Hauser had been struggling in recent games, he contributed eight points, seven rebounds, and solid defense.

Derrick White added steady play on both ends, hitting important three-pointers, blocking shots, and helping Boston regain control. His smart passes and defense helped slow the Nets for the first time all night.

Brooklyn went more than seven minutes without scoring a field goal late in the game. Jaylen Brown then hit a deep three-pointer with under three minutes left, sealing the win for Boston.

The Celtics will face the Nets again on Friday in an NBA Cup group play game at TD Garden. After that, they begin a difficult schedule with games against several strong playoff-level teams.

Despite the win, Boston knows it must reduce turnovers and improve its defensive focus. As Derrick White said, “We’ve just got to keep getting better.”