The Boston Celtics delivered a statement win on NBA’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day, demolishing the Golden State Warriors 125-85 in San Francisco. This 40-point drubbing marks Golden State’s worst home loss in 40 years—tracing back to January 15, 1985.
Tatum and Team Shine Bright
Leading the Celtics vs Warriors’ charge, Jayson Tatum dominated with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals. But the Celtics’ victory was a team effort, as Kristaps Porzingis added 18 points, and Jaylen Brown chipped in 17.
Payton Pritchard orchestrated the offense with a game-high 9 assists, complementing his 14 points. Contributions from Sam Hauser (11 points) and Jrue Holiday (10 points) rounded out the scoring, while Derrick White showcased Boston’s defensive dominance with 3 of the team’s 9 blocks.
A Tale of Two Ends: Offensive Firepower Meets Defensive Lockdown
The Celtics excelled on both ends of the court. Boston shot an efficient 53.3% from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc (20-of-48), while holding Golden State to a dismal 34.8% shooting and just 26.4% from deep. The defensive pressure stifled even Stephen Curry, who led the Warriors with 18 points but managed only 4-of-12 from three-point range.
Andrew Wiggins especially struggled, hitting just 1-of-11 shots and finishing with 4 points. The Warriors’ supporting cast, including Moses Moody (13 points) and Kevon Looney (7 rebounds), couldn’t bridge the gap as injuries sidelined key players like Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga.
Third-Quarter Surge Seals the Deal
Boston turned up the heat in the third quarter, outscoring Golden State by 34 points to extend their lead to an insurmountable 34 points entering the final frame. Tatum tallied 12 of his 22 points during this decisive stretch, where the Celtics connected on eight three-pointers and converted 16 of 24 field-goal attempts.
Historical Dominance
This is not the first time Boston has handed Golden State a lopsided defeat. Last March, the Celtics dismantled the Warriors 140-88 after dropping their first matchup in a thrilling overtime battle. Monday’s rematch followed a similar pattern, with Boston flipping the script after an earlier loss on November 6.
A Question for Fans
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