In an intense clash between the NBA’s highest-scoring offense, represented by the Boston Celtics, and the league’s top-rated defense, held by the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Timberwolves emerged victorious in a hard-fought battle. It was a game that required overtime to determine the winner, and it showcased an outstanding performance by Anthony Edwards, who scored a remarkable 38 points. Notably, Edwards delivered when it mattered most, contributing eight crucial points during the extra period.

While the Celtics boasted a formidable trio of scorers, with Jayson Tatum leading the way with 32 points, Jaylen Brown adding 26 points, and Kristaps Porzingis chipping in 20 points, they encountered challenges throughout the game. One notable issue was their struggle with periods of offensive stagnation, and there were concerns about their ball movement.

Here are more detailed takeaways from the Celtics’ 114-109 overtime loss to the Timberwolves:

1. Despite having Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis in the starting lineup for the Celtics, it was Jrue Holiday who drew the initial assignment of defending Karl-Anthony Towns. This choice proved effective, as the five-time All-Defensive Team selection exhibited his defensive prowess by stonewalling Towns in the mid-post. This resulted in a turnover and set up an alley-oop from Jaylen Brown to Jayson Tatum, marking an early highlight for the Celtics. Brown also capitalized on a fast-break basket cut, slamming home the game’s first two points.

2. The Celtics made an interesting decision by giving early playing time to Lamar Stevens in this matchup. With Derrick White unavailable, Al Horford was thrust into the starting lineup for the second consecutive game. Playing Stevens early was a strategy to help manage the minutes of both Horford and Kristaps Porzingis and maintain the rotation. Stevens had previously shown his value in limited late-game opportunities, earning him this opportunity.

The Celtics also demonstrated their depth by bringing in players like Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet, Payton Pritchard, and Svi Mykhailiuk from the bench during the first quarter to ensure that the first unit remained fresh.

3. Naz Reid, who received a warm ovation from the fans upon checking in for Karl-Anthony Towns, made a significant impact by providing the Timberwolves with better floor spacing and increased offensive production. The former LSU Tiger contributed ten points, including two three-pointers, and had a plus-eight plus-minus rating in just over five minutes of play. His presence helped the Timberwolves take a 29-26 lead into the second quarter.

4. Although the Timberwolves held a slight edge after the first quarter, the standout moment came when Jaylen Brown executed a remarkable dunk over Rudy Gobert, putting the Jazz center on a poster.

5. The Celtics have been struggling with ball movement early in the season, despite boasting the NBA’s top-rated offense and scoring the most points per 100 possessions. They have been effective at spacing the floor and exploiting mismatches, but there is room for improvement in terms of passing and less dribbling. As the season progresses, it’s expected that they will incorporate more passing into their offense. While mismatches will still be available for exploitation, a shift towards more drive and kick, along with extra swing passes to create better shot opportunities, can help the team avoid the offensive dry spells they’ve faced.

6. Jayson Tatum had an impressive start in the second quarter, leading the Celtics on an 8-0 run. He scored six of those points and was a key factor in their strong performance in the period. Tatum finished the first half with 13 points and four steals, helping the Celtics take a 55-52 lead into halftime.

7. The Celtics’ struggle with slow starts in the second half persisted in this game. The Timberwolves embarked on an 11-2 run, with Anthony Edwards scoring six of those points during this burst. Edwards demonstrated his skills with a mid-range jumper and a layup through contact, with foul trouble forcing Jaylen Brown to sit for most of the third quarter. This period saw the Timberwolves outscoring the Celtics 27-19, as the visiting team struggled with a 26.1 percent field goal shooting, including 2-for-10 from beyond the arc. Minnesota took a 79-74 lead into the fourth quarter.

8. Jayson Tatum made an outstanding start in the fourth quarter, scoring ten points by the midway mark and tying the game at 90. However, the Celtics inexplicably stopped getting him the ball, and their offense stalled. The Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards, went on a 10-2 run, taking a 95-90 lead with 5:02 remaining. Edwards played a key role, attacking off the dribble and setting up his teammates for open shots.

9. The Celtics, who have performed exceptionally well in the final frame throughout the season, staged a 9-2 run in the closing minutes of regulation. Jaylen Brown hit a crucial three-pointer, giving Boston a 101-98 lead after Joe Mazzulla intentionally fouled Rudy Gobert, who went 0-for-2 at the free-throw line. However, the Celtics couldn’t hold on to their lead, and the game extended into overtime.

10. Overtime began with a notable play from Jrue Holiday, who drew an offensive foul against Karl-Anthony Towns and secured a key rebound. He scored on a layup to give the Celtics an early 103-101 lead in the fifth period. However, the Timberwolves took control from that point on, with Mike Conley hitting a three-pointer and the Celtics’ offense struggling against the league’s toughest defense to start the season. Anthony Edwards had a hot hand during overtime, seemingly unable to miss.

11. Despite a late push with a steal and a Tatum dunk that brought the Celtics within three points, the Timberwolves secured the win with a well-timed play by Jaden McDaniels. McDaniels attacked Kristaps Porzingis off the dribble, dropped him to the floor, and made a mid-range jumper, giving the Timberwolves a six-point lead with just 15.5 seconds left.

The Timberwolves’ 114-109 victory kept them undefeated at home, with a 4-0 record at the start of the 2023-24 season. This game marked the first loss for the Celtics this season, and they now hold a 5-1 record, with their unbeaten streak coming to an end.

The Celtics’ next matchup is scheduled for Wednesday night against the Philadelphia 76ers in the City of Brotherly Love, with the game set to tip-off at 7:00 PM EST.