The Boston Celtics faced a tough Christmas Day loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, ending the game with a score of 118-114 at TD Garden. This defeat marked the Celtics' second consecutive loss, dropping their December record to 6-5 and leaving them four games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
During the game, the Celtics' starting center, Kristaps Porzingis, who had recently returned from injury, exited with left ankle soreness after just 13 minutes of play. Following the game, head coach Joe Mazzulla revealed, "Our offensive rhythm was off, and we didn’t execute defensively as we should have." Mazzulla's comments outlined the team's inconsistency on both ends of the floor, with post-game reflections indicating significant areas for improvement.
The game took on added frustration for the Celtics as they allowed the Sixers to score 66 points by halftime, forcing them to regroup after the intermission. The adjustments made at halftime saw Boston showcase stronger defensive efforts, limiting Philadelphia to just 16 points in the third quarter. Unfortunately, this improvement could not carry over to the fourth, where the Celtics surrendered over 30 points on three separate occasions, illustrating their inability to maintain defensive intensity.
Jayson Tatum led the charge for Boston, scoring 32 points and securing 15 rebounds, but even his performance could not prevent the team’s shortcomings. "We've got to take some ownership," Tatum stated after the game, emphasizing the need for self-reflection and accountability. He added, "It shouldn't. We've always hung our hat on being a really, really good defensive team...we've got to get back to our identity." His words highlighted the importance of returning to the defensive strategy the team had relied on during their successful championship run last season.
The Celtics' woes were compounded by lapses on defense, particularly against players like Caleb Martin, who hit seven three-pointers, finishing with 23 points overall. This gave rise to questions about defensive assignments and focus, as Mazzulla remarked, “Who do you help off? If you want to slow Maxey and Embiid down, you have to bring the (shots) to someone ... that's the catch-22.”
Faced with their second defeat, there is concern among fans and analysts alike about the team's current form. Tatum aimed to soothe nerves, acknowledging, "It's still a long season. Nobody's panicking. You just (have) got to be able to navigate the emotional roller coaster of the NBA season." With the arduous season stretching before them and looming matchups against formidable opponents, the Celtics must find their footing quickly.
This inconsistency has led Boston to reflect on the broader competition within the league, especially as they prepare for the upcoming gauntlet of games against top-tier teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Until then, as the team looks to bounce back, Tatum concluded definitively, stating, "Everybody is fully capable, and we've always done a really good job of responding. And I have no doubt we will." This Christmas defeat should serve as both a wake-up call and defining moment for the reigning champions as they press forward through the remainder of the season.
