By Tiffany Williams –
The Boston Celtics closed out a rugged Sunday afternoon at TD Garden with a 121-118 win over the LA Clippers, a matchup that showcased both high-end shot-making and the kind of second-chance relentlessness that has increasingly defined Boston’s identity this season. The victory extended the Celtics’ recent dominance in the series, giving them five wins in their last six meetings with the Clippers and pushing Boston to 5-0 on the year when shooting at least .360 from beyond the arc, hitting .410 in this one.
Boston never trailed, but the game rarely felt comfortable. The Celtics’ season-high 20 offensive rebounds repeatedly blunted Clippers runs, providing the extra possessions necessary to withstand LA’s late-game pushes. That interior effort became essential as the game tightened in the final minutes and the Clippers’ half-court defense sharpened.
Jaylen Brown powered Boston with a forceful two-way performance, posting 33 points on 14-of-33 shooting while adding a season-high 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block in 39 minutes. It marked his 17th career outing with at least 30 points and 10 boards and his first since November 22, 2024, in Washington. Brown has now recorded 13 or more rebounds in a game 10 times in his career and secured his 58th career double-double, his first of this season. His +22 swung the game in Boston’s favor every time he stepped on the floor, a reflection of the Celtics’ control during his minutes.
Payton Pritchard delivered the biggest scoring burst of the afternoon behind Brown, pouring in a season-high 30 points on an ultra-efficient 10-of-16 from the field and 8-of-13 from three. It was his sixth career 30-point game and the fifth time he has hit eight or more threes, a reminder of how swingy and impactful his shooting can be when he finds rhythm early. His spacing repeatedly stretched LA’s defense to its breaking point.
Derrick White added the stabilizing presence that has become routine for him, finishing with 22 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and two blocks in 39 minutes. It marked the 80th 20-point performance of his career and his fourth of the season, along with his fifth multi-block game this year. His playmaking and rim protection were crucial during stretches when the Celtics’ offense stagnated and the Clippers threatened to erase the lead.
Boston’s formula held from start to finish: win the math battle from deep, dominate the effort categories and rely on the versatility of its core trio. On a day when the Celtics never trailed yet could never fully pull away, those ingredients proved just enough to secure one of their grittier wins of the season.