Celtics Dominate Early As Trail Blazers Rally Falls Short

The Boston Celtics delivered a wire-to-wire victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night at TD Garden, securing a 102-94 win that showcased early dominance, emotional reunions, and a few hard-fought pushes from the visitors. With this result, the Celtics improved to 29-17 on the season, while the Blazers slipped to 23-24. But the story of the night was more than just numbers on a scoreboard—it was a blend of nostalgia, gritty defense, and the relentless pursuit of momentum in the heart of the NBA’s winter grind.

The atmosphere in Boston was electric from the moment the teams took the floor. The Garden crowd, braving a recent New England snowstorm, greeted former Celtics guard Jrue Holiday with a moving video tribute in the first quarter. Holiday, who helped Boston claim an NBA championship, was visibly touched as he received a standing ovation from the faithful. "It was special to be back here," Holiday said, soaking in the moment before shifting focus to the game at hand.

Holiday, now running the point for the Trail Blazers after his June 23, 2025 trade, started alongside Donovan Clingan, Toumani Camara, Sidy Cissoko, and Caleb Love. Boston countered with a starting five of Sam Hauser, Neemias Queta, Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard, and Derrick White. The game’s opening minutes were anything but pretty—both squads missed their first nine field goal attempts. It was Neemias Queta who finally broke the ice for Boston with a soft hook in the lane at the ten-minute mark.

But once the Celtics found their rhythm, they took off like a shot. Boston closed the first quarter with a commanding 32-11 lead, fueled by Payton Pritchard’s buzzer-beating three-pointer and relentless defensive pressure. Portland, meanwhile, was mired in a shooting slump, hitting just 4 of 21 shots and going 1-for-12 from beyond the arc in the opening frame. It marked the second consecutive game in which the Blazers set a season low for first-quarter points, a stat that would haunt them all night.

Despite the early hole, Portland refused to wilt. The Blazers began the second quarter on a 15-5 run, sparked by Jrue Holiday’s deep three and some energetic play from Robert Williams III, who was making his first appearance in Boston since being traded. Williams, once a beloved Celtic, provided a defensive anchor and chipped in six points and two rebounds in 19 minutes. Yet, Boston’s bench—highlighted by rookie Amari Williams—answered every push. Williams, stepping up in the absence of Luka Garza (out with illness) and with Queta limited to 22 minutes due to his own ailment, finished with nine points, seven rebounds, and two blocks in 26 minutes.

The Celtics’ offense wasn’t always smooth sailing. They committed 17 turnovers on the night, including seven in a sloppy second quarter. Still, the Blazers couldn’t capitalize consistently. Without breakout star Deni Avdija, who missed the game and is being touted as a potential All-Star, Portland’s attack lacked punch. Jerami Grant led the Blazers with 19 points—10 coming from the free throw line—while Camara added 18 and Holiday chipped in 14. Donovan Clingan was a force on the glass, pulling down 15 rebounds to go with nine points and four blocks, but the Blazers’ shooting woes persisted. They finished at 42% from the field, 26% from three, and a disappointing 67% at the stripe.

Payton Pritchard was the engine for Boston, pouring in a game-high 23 points and five rebounds. Pritchard’s knack for timely buckets—he hit buzzer-beaters at the end of both the first and second quarters—helped Boston maintain separation whenever Portland threatened. Jaylen Brown added 20 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, overcoming a technical foul in the third quarter after a physical tussle with Camara. Derrick White contributed 18 points, including a crucial late three-pointer that finally iced the game after Portland had cut the deficit to five with just 35 seconds left.

“We just needed to make a couple more plays down the stretch,” White admitted after the game, acknowledging his own seven turnovers in what he called a "physical battle." Joe Mazzulla, Boston’s head coach, rotated his lineups strategically, resting Brown for the first six minutes of the fourth quarter after heavy minutes in recent games. The move paid off, as the Celtics’ bench held the fort before Brown returned to help close things out.

For Portland, the night was a frustrating reminder of how quickly games can get away in the NBA. The Blazers set a new season low for first-half points with just 37 and never fully recovered from their disastrous start. "It’s hard to win games when you lose the first quarter 32-11," one Blazers official remarked postgame. Still, there were bright spots: Clingan’s interior presence, Williams’ energy against his former team, and the grit shown in cutting the lead to single digits late. The Blazers’ defense forced Boston into tough shots and ugly turnovers, but the offense simply couldn’t string together enough makes when it mattered.

Looking ahead, the Celtics are poised for a favorable stretch, with six of their next eight games at home before the All-Star break. Their next challenge comes Wednesday night against the Atlanta Hawks. For Portland, the road trip continues with a quick turnaround—they’ll face the Washington Wizards on January 27 at 4:00 p.m. PST, eager to shake off their shooting woes and regain momentum.

In the end, Monday’s contest was a testament to Boston’s ability to ride early momentum, survive late pushes, and celebrate familiar faces in a place where basketball history runs deep. The Celtics’ faithful left TD Garden with smiles on their faces, while the Blazers departed knowing they’d have to regroup quickly as the season marches on.