this Celtics squad, led by Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Marcus Smart, raised their voices at TD Garden and defeated the Golden State Warriors 116-100 to seize a 2-1 edge in the NBA Finals. After a tough loss in Game 2, coach Ime Udoka’s team tightened up on defense and limited the Warriors, while Al Horford and Robert Williams controlled the paint, helping Boston pull away with 58 rebounds overall.
Brown finished with 27 points, including 17 in the opening period, aided by a furious start that included two early triples. Tatum added 26 points with six rebounds and nine assists, and Smart contributed 24 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Horford’s steady influence and Williams’ all-around production—11 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and 10 boards on the night—provided the backbone of Boston’s performance. The trio’s big scoring jump was supported by the interior presence and energy that defined the win, even as other important contributions emerged on the court.
Steph Curry poured in 31 points with six three-pointers, and Klay Thompson added 25 points and five triples for the Warriors. Neither star could carry the day, and Golden State’s shooting percentage lagged despite strong showings from the rest of the roster. Draymond Green was unable to give a decisive lift, finishing with two points, four rebounds, and three assists, and committing six fouls late in the game, leaving the visitors short-handed in the pivotal moments.
Brown’s explosive start a message to the field
Brown had warned he would attack without fixating on rival pressure, and his performance in the opening quarter underscored that mindset. He opened with back-to-back three-pointers and led Boston with 17 points early, supported by 3-for-4 shooting in the opening period. The sellout crowd in Boston, hungry to see their team back in the Finals for the first time in a dozen years, roared as Horford anchored the defense and Brown created tempo. The Celtics established a strong defensive base and efficient scoring balance, setting the tone for the night.
The Celtics stood tall on both ends, controlling the pace and precision on offense, and built a lead that grew through the second quarter. Tatum contributed consistently, orchestrating plays and providing scoring when needed, while Horford and Williams anchored the glass and protected the rim. The team’s interior strength translated into long stretches of productive possession, and Boston carried a substantial advantage into halftime with a 68-56 lead, aided by early scoring bursts and efficient ball movement.
Warriors spark and Celtics counter
Steve Kerr called a timeout to reset his squad, and Golden State briefly found traction after a rough stretch. The franchise’s championship pedigree showed as Curry, Thompson, and the rest of the roster worked to close the gap, but Boston’s defense and rebounding continued to pressure the visitors. Curry remained aggressive, and the team briefly closed to within a single possession, but Horford and Brown responded with strong, determined play to keep the Celtics ahead going into the third period. The Celtics leveraged interior scoring and transition opportunities to push the advantage back out.
The night included a rebounding edge for Boston and a rhythm that found its mark on mid-range and above-the-break threes. With Williams and Horford protecting the paint, Boston’s interior scoring helped sustain a string of productive possessions that contributed to afternoon momentum and a widening margin as the game progressed. A sharp run of offense in the middle quarters helped the Celtics sustain energy and push the lead beyond the initial nine-point margin, establishing control as the game moved toward its later stages.
Celtics seal the win
As the fourth quarter began, Smart delivered timely three-pointers and relentless effort in the paint, fueling a 9-2 run that stoked Garden energy once again. Boston never relinquished control as the Warriors battled to mount a comeback. Horford’s savvy plays and Williams’ activity helped Boston maintain discipline in the closing minutes, and a sequence culminating in an alley-oop from Williams to Horford punctuated the night and energized the crowd. The Celtics’ resilience and balanced contribution from every key player sealed the 116-100 victory, establishing a strong 2-1 series position and signaling momentum heading to the next game. Source: NBA Finals coverage