BOSTON — The Celtics didn’t let the upcoming All-Star break interfere with their performance, decisively beating the San Antonio Spurs 116-103 on Wednesday at TD Garden and improving to 39-16 for the season. San Antonio, meanwhile, dropped to 23-29 with the defeat, reflecting their struggles this season.
The game was characterized by the Celtics' offensive prowess, including dominating stretches where they outpaced the Spurs significantly. Early on, it was clear the Celtics came ready to defend their home court, racing out to what peaked at 24-point lead during the first half.
Key players spearheaded Boston’s attack, with Jayson Tatum leading the way by scoring 32 points, alongside contributing 14 rebounds and 7 assists, demonstrating his status as one of the league's elite players. Kristaps Porzingis complemented Tatum's output with 29 points and 6 rebounds of his own, reinforcing the Celtics' offensive capabilities.
Derrick White was also instrumental, adding 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists, exemplifying his two-way playmaking ability. Despite the absence of Jaylen Brown, who is dealing with a knee issue, and Jrue Holiday, sidelined with shoulder concerns, the Celtics showcased their depth and resilience.
On the Spurs’ side, they faced challenges against Boston's relentless energy and defensive strategies. Newly acquired star De’Aaron Fox contributed 23 points and 5 assists, showcasing his ability to score and drive the team's offense. Victor Wembanyama, who continues to impress as he develops, finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds but struggled against the Celtics’ defense, shooting 43.8% from the field.
Throughout the game, the Celtics were particularly effective from beyond the arc, attempting 55 three-pointers and sinking 18 of them. The Spurs struggled significantly with their shooting from the perimeter, making just 9 of their 39 attempts (23.1%). This disparity was one of the decisive factors contributing to Boston’s victory.
Further highlighting their dominance, the Celtics controlled the boards, out-rebounding the Spurs 56-38, and achieved a notable edge of 14-6 in second-chance points, pivotal indicators of offensive efficiency.
After taking command early, leading 37-19 by the end of the first quarter, the Celtics continued to build on their lead, going up 66-47 at halftime. Tatum's strong first-half performance included 21 points, propelling the Celtics to continuously put pressure on the Spurs.
The second half saw the Spurs attempt to mount a comeback, cutting the deficit to single digits early in the fourth quarter, creating tension among the Garden crowd. Nevertheless, the Celtics quickly regained composure and did not allow the Spurs to pull even, sealing the game with effective scoring play.
“We didn't let up, we kept pushing forward. The goal is to dominate up to and coming out of the All-Star break,” Tatum remarked after the game, emphasizing the team's focus on maintaining momentum.
Notable as well was Torrey Craig's debut with the Celtics, after recently signing with the team. Craig, who missed time earlier due to injury, made his presence felt with 6 points within his limited minutes on the court.
Overall, the Celtics showcased their readiness to contend for the playoffs, consistently overcoming challenges throughout January’s struggles. Their upcoming schedule will resume against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 20, where they will look to build on this victory and strengthen their position within the competitive Eastern Conference.
The Spurs will return home to face the Phoenix Suns, aiming to regain their footing as they continue to adjust to personnel changes, particularly following their trade for Fox.
Boston’s win against San Antonio marks their seventh victory in their last eight games, reaffirming their status as one of the favorites this season as they head toward the latter portion of the schedule.