The Boston Celtics soared into the NBA All-Star break with a commanding 124-105 victory over the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden on Wednesday night, February 11, 2026. With this win, the Celtics improved their record to 35-19, securing sole possession of second place in the Eastern Conference, just ahead of the New York Knicks. For the Bulls, the defeat marked their sixth consecutive loss, intensifying concerns as they head into the break with a 24-31 record and a season teetering on the brink.
Heading into the matchup, both teams had plenty at stake. The Celtics were wrapping up a three-game homestand, eager to bounce back from a disappointing loss to the Knicks. The Bulls, meanwhile, were desperate to end a five-game skid and recapture the form that saw them win their last meeting with Boston in Chicago, 114-111. But with the odds stacked against them—Boston was favored by 13.5 points, and Chicago was missing key players due to injuries—the challenge was always going to be steep.
Boston wasted little time asserting control. Payton Pritchard, stepping up in the absence of Jayson Tatum (out with an Achilles injury), erupted for 26 points to lead the Celtics. His aggressive drives and confident shooting set the tone early, electrifying the TD Garden crowd. Jaylen Brown, continuing his All-Star-caliber season, contributed 24 points and showcased the versatility that has made him one of the league’s top scorers. As noted by NBC Sports, Brown will enter Sunday’s All-Star Game as the NBA’s fourth-highest scorer, averaging 29.4 points per game.
Nikola Vucevic, facing his former Bulls teammates for only the third time since joining Boston, delivered a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. His presence in the paint and ability to stretch the floor with mid-range jumpers frustrated Chicago’s defense all night. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla praised Vucevic’s impact after the game, saying, “He’s brought veteran leadership and a calm presence to our frontcourt. Tonight, he showed why we wanted him here.”
For the Bulls, the night was another chapter in a frustrating stretch. The team was forced to navigate a depleted roster, missing Zach Collins (toe), Noa Essengue (shoulder), Isaac Okoro (knee), and with Tre Jones, Jalen Smith, and Josh Giddey all listed as day-to-day. Anfernee Simons, who had led Chicago with 23 points and seven assists in their previous loss to the Brooklyn Nets, struggled to find his rhythm against Boston’s stifling defense. Rising rookie Matas Buzelis, averaging 15.2 points per game, managed only sporadic bursts as the Celtics repeatedly closed off driving lanes and forced tough shots.
The Bulls’ offensive woes were evident from the outset. Despite entering the game averaging a solid 117 points per contest, Chicago was held well below that mark by Boston’s top-ten ranked defense. The Celtics’ ability to contest three-pointers and force turnovers proved decisive, with the Bulls shooting just 47.1% from the field—nearly three percentage points below their season average. Meanwhile, Boston’s offense hummed along, capitalizing on crisp ball movement and timely outside shooting. The Celtics finished with an impressive 115.1 points per game average on the season, and Wednesday’s effort only bolstered those numbers.
“We needed this win going into the break,” said Jaylen Brown in his postgame comments, as reported by local media. “The guys stepped up, especially Payton and Vooch. We’re building some real momentum.” That momentum is hard to dispute: Boston has now won eight of its last 11 games and is looking every bit the contender as the season’s second half approaches.
On the other hand, the Bulls’ recent slide has them searching for answers. Their defense, ranked 25th in the league, simply couldn’t keep pace with Boston’s relentless attack. The Bulls have now given up an average of 120.6 points per game, and Wednesday’s contest did little to reverse that troubling trend. Chicago’s struggles have been compounded by a rash of injuries and inconsistent play from key contributors. Josh Giddey, who has been averaging 18.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.8 assists, was limited by a lingering hamstring issue and failed to make a significant impact.
Both teams entered the night among the league leaders in three-point attempts, and the game quickly turned into a shootout from beyond the arc. Yet, it was the Celtics who found their range, hitting timely threes to keep the Bulls at bay. Derrick White and Sam Hauser chipped in with clutch baskets, while Neemias Queta provided energy off the bench, despite nursing a sore ankle.
Boston’s recent acquisition of Vucevic has paid immediate dividends. In just his third game with the Celtics, the former Bull looked comfortable alongside Brown and Pritchard, providing a much-needed scoring punch and rebounding presence. “It felt good to go up against my old team,” Vucevic said postgame. “But more importantly, we’re clicking as a unit. The chemistry is coming together.”
Despite the lopsided result, the Bulls showed flashes of potential. Matas Buzelis hit a pair of early threes, and Anfernee Simons had a strong third quarter, but turnovers and missed opportunities doomed Chicago’s comeback hopes. The Bulls’ bench, thin due to injuries, struggled to keep pace with Boston’s reserves, and the deficit ballooned in the fourth quarter.
For fans hoping to catch the action, the game was widely available. Broadcasts aired on Chicago Sports Network (CHSN), NBCS-BOS, and streaming services like Fubo and DirecTV TV Stream. The TD Garden crowd, buoyed by Boston’s strong play, provided a raucous playoff-like atmosphere throughout the night.
Looking ahead, the Celtics enter the All-Star break with confidence and a clear sense of purpose. Their next challenge comes on February 19, when they travel to Golden State to face the Warriors. For Chicago, the break offers a much-needed opportunity to regroup, heal up, and address the defensive lapses that have plagued them during this losing streak.
As the NBA season reaches its midpoint, Boston’s blend of veteran leadership, All-Star talent, and emerging contributors has them firmly in the mix atop the Eastern Conference. The Bulls, meanwhile, will need to rediscover their early-season form and get healthy if they hope to make a playoff push down the stretch. For now, the momentum is all Boston’s—and the rest of the league is officially on notice.