The Boston Celtics defeated the Brooklyn Nets 125–124 in overtime, outlasting Brooklyn in a back-and-forth game that went down to the final tick. Jayson Tatum knocked down a midrange jump shot just before the buzzer, after the Nets had clawed their way back to tie the game in the fourth quarter.
Tatum Seals It with the Last Shot
With the score level at 117–117, the game was on the line heading into the extra period. Boston scored 8 points in overtime to Brooklyn's 7, before Tatum took an inbounds pass, dribbled left twice and buried a jump shot from the elbow. The shot dropped just before time expired, delivering the Celtics the victory.
Tatum led the way with 40 points, adding 5 rebounds and 8 assists in a dominant performance. Paul George chipped in with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Derrick White contributed 16 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists, while Jordan Walsh added 15 points and 6 rebounds.
Brooklyn Controlled the Early Going
The Nets made the better start, taking the first quarter 31–26. They remained steady in the second period, which ended 30–30, giving Brooklyn a 61–56 halftime lead. Michael Porter Jr. carried the offensive load with 27 points and 12 rebounds, posting a double-double.
Julius Randle recorded 24 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Mikel Brown Jr. finished with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Nolan Traoré added 15 points, 1 rebound and 3 assists — marking his first start of the 2026–27 season.
Boston Took Control, Brooklyn Forced Overtime
The Celtics seized the momentum after halftime, winning the third quarter 30–21 to lead 86–82 heading into the fourth. Brooklyn refused to go away, however, outscoring Boston 35–31 in the final period. A contested three-pointer by Mikel Brown Jr. in the closing seconds of regulation tied the game and sent it to overtime.
Boston was playing the second night of a back-to-back, having beaten the Chicago Bulls at home the previous evening. Paul George joined the Celtics from Philadelphia in a summer 2026 trade and slotted in as a second key ball-handler alongside Tatum in this tightly contested game — a role the nine-time All-Star filled effectively.
A Narrow Result with Real Consequences
The win improved Boston's record to 2–1, while Brooklyn remained winless through three games. It was the first of four scheduled meetings between the two teams this season. The loss leaves Brooklyn with little margin for error, while the Celtics survived thanks to Tatum delivering when it mattered most, despite the Nets pushing them to the very last second.
