Celtics vs Nets: A Timeline of the Game That Thrilled Boston and Brooklyn

In a high-octane clash at TD Garden, the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets delivered a battle of pace, precision, and poise that electrified both arenas. From the buzzer’s final second to the last defensive stand, every moment unfolded with intensity, offering fans a masterclass in modern NBA competition. A detailed timeline reveals not only the sequence of plays but the shifting momentum that defined a night of basketball standout moments.

At 7:23 PM, the Celtics swung offense into overtime. Jayson Tatum reached in under theshot, slamming in a fadeaway three that silenced the Nets’ stunned crowd. The 93–92 lead was canny, but not decisive—off ensuing Nets backticks wurden followed swiftly by Boston’s Knick Bowers capturest.

By halftime, the Celtics held a 48–44 edge, propelled by Tatum’s dynamic playmaking and a relentless drive by Jaylen Bearman in transition.

The second half began with offensive fire. At 12:17, Albert Kingsburg disperses the Nets’ press with a press-breaking drive, noting the reckless pass that seated Jaylen Timent—Boston’s sharpshooter—with a 28-foot fade. The fast break sparked a 12-touching offensive run, cutting Brooklyn’s lead from four to two.

“That pass was pure instinct,” said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla postgame. “Kingsburg fed Timent at the edge when the paint was open and the clock tight.” By 18:44, the Celtics administrator edge sent them into OT. A gritty outlet pass from Tatum to Timent, followed by a pinpoint assist on a 16-foot block-and-rebound, turned defense into scoring.

The overtime clockounted 12 minutes later when diffuser Jrue Holiday made a hook shot from half-court—3:11 of OT—tying the game at 97. For the next 1:36, the rhythm reversed: Nets defense suffocated Boston’s inside, forcing 12 turnovers and forcing a protracted attack. Then, in the decisive fourth quarter, Brooklyn’s assistant point guard James Johnson floated a threescreen at 1:05, weaving past three defenders before slamming it past Al Horford.

The Nets’ 101–97 win marked a redemption after early mismanagement.

Key statistical highlights emerged throughout: Tatum recorded 28 points on 12-of-18 shooting, including 6 rebounds and 4 assists, epitomizing Celtics’ balanced attack. Kingsburg matched this with 24 points and 7 assists, proving his value as a playmaking center.

Perhaps most telling was the defensive stand—TD Garden’s physicality chipped in 11 blocks, with Horford logging 4, though Tatum’s off-ball movement hierarchy stretched Brooklyn’s frontcourt thin from tip to tip. Point guard Derrick White’s floor spacing—often false 4-down visibilities—forced Nets zone adjustments that backfired under pressure. Free throws sealed the game: Boston converted 10 of 13, including a breakup assist from Tieman on a 6.2-second overload.

Mile 2:01 marked Nets’ longest shoot: Paul Millsap’s catch-and-shoot from deep, wildly drawn but accurate.

The game’s arc mirrored the ebb and flow of modern NBA contests—every possession counted, every decision ranged by temple-level pressure. From quick stamps at 8:04 to the final overtime block, this matchup offered a masterclass in tempo, execution, and clutch artistry.

With drive, sacrifice, and redemption woven into every commercial break, Celtics vs Nets etched itself into NBA history as a performance defined by both star talent and systemic excellence.

This was not just a win for Boston—it was a festival of skill that honored the rhythm of the game. The detailed timeline reveals not just scoreboards, but stories of faith, failure, and fire.

In the end, Brooklyn rose, but Boston’s resilience endured, reminding fans that every second in the game remains alive with legacy.