The Boston Celtics orchestrated a remarkable comeback against the Minnesota Timberwolves, securing a thrilling 127-120 overtime victory at TD Garden on Wednesday night.
In a clash between two elite teams, the Wolves initially seized control in the fourth quarter with standout performances from Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns. However, the Celtics, propelled by Jayson Tatum’s 45 points and Jaylen Brown’s 35 points, staged an impressive rally from a nine-point deficit in the final four minutes of regulation.
Despite Boston holding a 10-point lead in the first half, the Wolves steadily narrowed the gap, eventually establishing a nine-point advantage with 3:35 remaining in regulation. The Celtics responded with a resilient 9-0 run, narrowly missing out on a regulation win but ultimately securing the victory in overtime. Notably, Boston achieved this triumph without Kristaps Porzingis, who was sidelined with a knee contusion, extending their home winning streak to 18 games.
The Celtics now face a quick turnaround as they hit the road to take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night, setting the stage for a clash between two Eastern Conference powerhouses.
Key Takeaways from the Game:
Jaylen Brown’s Explosive First Quarters:
Jaylen Brown continues to showcase his offensive prowess early in games, particularly in the first quarter. Against the Timberwolves, Brown erupted for 15 points in the opening quarter, hitting five of seven shot attempts, including three from beyond the arc. This trend of early-game dominance has been a consistent feature for Brown, contributing significantly to Boston’s offensive efficiency, especially at TD Garden.
Travel Challenges Impact Wolves:
The Timberwolves faced travel difficulties, arriving in Boston just six hours before tip-off due to weather-related flight delays from Orlando on Tuesday night. This led to cautious decisions, with Mike Conley getting a night off for the first time this season, and Rudy Gobert being a late scratch due to a hip issue. Despite a valiant effort from the Wolves, the Celtics capitalized on the fatigue of the travel-weary opponents, executing a 9-0 run in the final minutes of regulation to force overtime.
Historic Home Streaks for Boston:
The Celtics made history by extending their franchise record for consecutive home wins to start a season to 18 games. Additionally, Boston extended its regular-season home winning streak to 24 games, dating back to March 2023. The team’s dramatic victory against the Timberwolves further solidified their place in the franchise record books.
Celtics Continue Dominance Over Timberwolves:
The win marked the 19th straight season that the Timberwolves have gone winless at the TD Garden, a streak dating back to Kevin Garnett’s tenure with the team. Despite facing a talented Wolves squad, the Celtics secured the victory, maintaining their home dominance over Minnesota and establishing a three-game lead over the Wolves for the best record in the NBA.
