Jaylen Brown put on an electrifying show in Los Angeles, matching his career high with a 50-point explosion to power the Boston Celtics to a resounding 146-115 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night at Intuit Dome. This win not only capped a successful five-game West Coast road trip for the Celtics, but it also snapped the Clippers’ six-game winning streak and showcased the Celtics’ offensive prowess as they inch closer to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Brown’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. The four-time All-Star needed just 35 minutes to notch his 50 points, shooting a blistering 18-for-26 from the field (69%), including 6-for-10 from beyond the arc and 8-for-10 from the free throw line. He also contributed five assists and committed only two turnovers. Brown’s scoring outburst included a remarkable 19-point third quarter, where he hit seven of eight shots and three of four from deep, effectively turning a competitive game into a Celtics rout.
“Jaylen Brown was simply unstoppable tonight,” said Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla after the game. “He played with the kind of energy and focus that lifts the entire team. It’s a joy to watch him when he gets in that zone.”
The Celtics’ offense was firing on all cylinders, tying their season high with 146 points and matching their best mark of the year with 24 made three-pointers. Six different Boston players made at least two three-pointers, and the team shot 47% from deep and 55% overall from the field. Derrick White provided a strong supporting performance, pouring in 29 points, while Anfernee Simons added 15. In total, six Celtics finished in double figures, highlighting the team’s depth and unselfish ball movement.
Boston also dominated the glass, outrebounding the Clippers 46-30, including a staggering 16 offensive rebounds. Rookie Jordan Walsh led the bench with 13 boards, while Neemias Queta paced the starters with nine rebounds. This relentless effort on the boards gave the Celtics numerous second-chance opportunities, further fueling their high-octane attack.
“We really bought in on the glass tonight,” said Jordan Walsh. “Coach challenged us to win the rebounding battle, and everyone contributed. That’s the kind of effort that wins games on the road.”
It wasn’t just the numbers that told the story—Boston’s energy was palpable from the opening tip. Mazzulla made a notable adjustment to the starting lineup, inserting Sam Hauser for Jordan Walsh, reverting to the unit that opened the season. The move paid immediate dividends as the Celtics raced out to a 42-point first quarter, with Hauser knocking down early threes and setting the tone for the evening.
Despite the Clippers’ recent hot streak—having won six straight games by double digits behind stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden—they struggled to keep pace with Boston’s speed and intensity, especially after halftime. Leonard led the Clippers with 22 points, but Los Angeles was outscored 75-52 in the second half as Boston’s relentless attack proved too much. Clippers coach Ty Lue eventually benched his starters midway through the fourth quarter after Boston opened the frame on an 18-8 run, sealing the game’s fate.
“We knew coming in this would be a test,” said Derrick White. “The Clippers have been rolling, but we wanted to make a statement. Jaylen led the way, but it was a total team effort.”
Brown’s pursuit of a new career high was cut short when he was subbed out with just under four minutes left, exiting to a standing ovation from a large contingent of Celtics fans in the building. As MVP chants echoed through Intuit Dome, Brown appeared eager to stay in and chase the record, but the game was well in hand and Mazzulla opted to rest his star.
“I felt like I could’ve kept going,” Brown admitted with a smile. “But the most important thing is the win and how we played as a team. We’re building something special.”
The victory improved Boston’s record to 21-12 overall and marked their third straight win. The Celtics have now won seven of their last eight games and are 7-1 since December 19, 2025, putting them within striking distance of the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, just a half-game behind the New York Knicks. Their 4-1 record on the road trip also included a 3-1 mark against Western Conference opponents, underscoring their status as a legitimate contender.
For the Clippers, the loss was a setback after their impressive run, but they remain firmly in the Western Conference playoff picture. Leonard and Harden have led the way during their recent surge, but Boston’s stifling defense and relentless rebounding proved too much on this occasion.
Looking ahead, the Celtics will return home to TD Garden to face the Chicago Bulls on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 7:30 PM ET. The Bulls, dealing with injuries to key guards Josh Giddey and Coby White, have lost three of their last five games and sit just below .500, making them a vulnerable opponent as Boston looks to extend its winning streak and continue climbing the standings.
“We’re excited to get back in front of our fans,” said Mazzulla. “This road trip showed what we’re capable of, but we need to keep pushing. Every game matters as we fight for playoff position.”
As the Celtics head home riding a wave of momentum and with Jaylen Brown at the peak of his powers, Boston fans have plenty of reasons to believe that this team is primed for a deep postseason run. The way they dismantled a quality Clippers squad on the road—behind a career night from their star—sent a message to the rest of the league: the Celtics are for real, and they’re not slowing down any time soon.
