The Boston Celtics’ trip to the Pacific Northwest on Sunday, December 28, 2025, was expected to be another notch in their impressive run through December. Instead, the Portland Trail Blazers, battered by injuries and written off by many, delivered a gutsy 114-108 win at Moda Center, snapping Boston’s four-game winning streak and sending a jolt through the NBA landscape.
Coming into the contest, Boston looked like the clear favorite. The Celtics, riding high at 19-11 and sitting third in the Eastern Conference, had won nine of their last eleven games and appeared poised to keep climbing. Their offense was humming, averaging 116.8 points per contest, and their defense ranked second in the league, giving up just 110.4 points per game. Jaylen Brown was in the midst of a historic scoring run, notching at least 30 points in every game of December, and Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and the recently acquired Anfernee Simons were all making big contributions.
Portland, meanwhile, limped in at 12-19, tenth in the West, having dropped three straight games. The Blazers’ injury report read like a laundry list: Jrue Holiday (calf), Matisse Thybulle (thumb surgery), Scoot Henderson (hamstring), Blake Wesley (foot), Jerami Grant (Achilles), Robert Williams III (knee), and Damian Lillard (Achilles) were all unavailable. Eleven different Blazers had missed a combined 160 games this season. Without a natural point guard for 19 games, Portland had gone just 6-13 in that stretch.
Despite the odds, Portland’s young core showed no fear. Deni Avdija, thrust into a primary ball-handling and scoring role, continued his breakout campaign. He entered the night averaging between 25.6 and 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and up to 8.5 assists per game. Shaedon Sharpe, Donovan Clingan, and Toumani Camara rounded out a starting lineup that had to play above its years. Avdija’s recent 29-point, nine-rebound, nine-assist outing against the Clippers was a sign of things to come.
The Celtics’ own injury woes were minor by comparison but still notable. Chris Boucher was out due to illness, and Jayson Tatum was sidelined with an Achilles issue. Nonetheless, Boston’s projected starters—Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Neemias Queta, and Luka Garza—were expected to have the edge, especially with the bench production from Sam Hauser and Simons, who was making his first return to Portland since being traded in the offseason.
The game tipped off at 6:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. local time), with fans tuning in via NBC Sports Boston, KUNP, KATU, and streaming options like FuboTV and DIRECTV. Those in Portland could also listen on Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM) or catch the action through BlazerVision.
From the start, the Celtics tried to impose their will. Jaylen Brown picked up right where he left off, attacking the rim and hitting tough jumpers. He finished with 37 points, tying Larry Bird’s franchise record with his ninth straight game of 30-plus points in a single month. According to NBC Sports Boston, "Jaylen Brown (37 points) was a bright spot for the Celtics. He extended his streak of games with 30-plus points to nine, tying Larry Bird for the franchise record."
But the Blazers weren’t about to roll over. Shaedon Sharpe, who has grown into a key scoring option with averages hovering between 19.0 and 21.9 points per game, led the way with 26 points. Avdija, as expected, orchestrated the offense, and Clingan anchored the glass. Portland’s energy was palpable, and the home crowd responded in kind.
The teams traded blows throughout the first three quarters. Boston’s perimeter shooting—36.7 percent from deep on the season—kept them in it, with Pritchard and White combining for timely buckets. Portland, however, matched the Celtics shot for shot, scoring 116.6 points per game on average and taking advantage of Boston’s rare defensive lapses.
In the fourth quarter, the wheels came off for Boston. The Celtics committed six costly turnovers in the final period and 19 for the game, allowing the Blazers to seize momentum. Portland also dominated the boards, outrebounding Boston 48-40, and made the most of second-chance opportunities. As reported by NBC Sports Boston, "Boston had six costly turnovers in the fourth quarter and 19 altogether in the defeat. The Blazers outrebounded the C’s, 48-40."
Sharpe’s late-game heroics, including a pair of clutch threes and a driving layup, helped Portland pull away. Avdija controlled the tempo, and Camara’s hustle plays ignited the crowd. The Celtics tried to mount a comeback, but Portland’s defense, led by Clingan and Camara, stiffened at just the right time.
For Boston, the loss stung not just because it snapped their winning streak, but because it exposed some nagging issues. Turnovers, especially in crunch time, have been a concern all season. Without Tatum’s steadying presence, the Celtics leaned heavily on Brown, who delivered but couldn’t do it all alone. White and Pritchard chipped in, but the bench, so effective in recent games, was held in check by Portland’s energetic reserves.
On the other side, the Blazers celebrated a signature win in a season defined by adversity. With so many key players out, Portland’s young core stepped up and delivered against one of the NBA’s elite. The victory improved Portland’s record to 13-19, keeping them afloat in the Western Conference play-in race. For Boston, the defeat dropped them to 19-12, still in a strong position but now with fresh questions to answer as they continue their five-game road trip.
Looking ahead, the Celtics will try to regroup quickly as they head to Utah for a matchup on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. The Blazers, meanwhile, will host the Dallas Mavericks in another tough test at Moda Center. As the NBA season grinds on, Sunday’s result was a reminder that in this league, anything can happen—especially when hungry young players get their shot at the spotlight.
With Jaylen Brown tying a franchise legend and Portland’s injury-riddled squad showing its heart, fans on both sides witnessed a game to remember. The Celtics will be eager to bounce back, but for one night, the Trail Blazers proved that resilience can trump even the deepest of odds.