BOSTON -- The Cleveland Cavaliers pulled off a stunning comeback, defeating the Boston Celtics 123-116 at TD Garden on February 28, 2025. With this victory, the Cavaliers split the regular-season series with the Celtics, both teams being frontrunners to secure top playoff spots.
Donovan Mitchell scored 41 points, including 12 during the decisive fourth quarter, demonstrating poise and leadership as the Cavaliers rallied from 22 points down early in the game. Alongside him, Darius Garland contributed 20 points and seven assists, and Evan Mobley added 17 points and 12 rebounds, marking his 27th double-double of the season.
The Celtics initially dominated the game, racing to a 25-3 lead before the Cavaliers found their footing. Despite missing key starters Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Jrue Holiday (finger injury), the Celtics managed to create early momentum, propelled by impressive performances from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum finished with 46 points, 16 rebounds, and nine assists, making him the first player to record 30 or more points, rebounds, and assists during the opening half since the 1997-98 season. Brown added 37 points to complement the Celtics’ efforts.
Mitchell emphasized the importance of resilience after the game, saying, "Everything could have possibly gone wrong, went wrong. At some point, you could only go up from there." His calm demeanor during the early chaos signaled maturity and control, allowing the team to regroup effectively and launch their comeback during the final three quarters.
The Cavaliers began to chip away at the lead, going on a 41-22 run, which underscored their ability to withstand adversity. Chef Kenny Atkinson, head coach of the Cavaliers, remarked on the significance of this victory, acknowledging their confidence boost against one of the league's best teams, even if some of those players were sidelined. “We know they’re missing two guys. Humble in victory, that's for sure,” Atkinson stated.
With the Cavaliers gaining confidence, they seized their first lead of the game at 104-101 late in the fourth quarter. The teams traded baskets, but Cleveland was unwavering and slowly built their lead. A layup by Mitchell and subsequent three-point play moved the score to 119-114 with under two minutes remaining, showcasing his ability to deliver when the team needed it most.
Mobley emerged as another pivotal figure for Cleveland. He scored 13 points and secured eight rebounds just in the fourth quarter. His first three points of the final period gave the Cavaliers their first lead, and Mobley expressed the game's relevance, indicating it boosted his confidence to lead moving forward. “This is a reminder to myself and the team, I have the capacity to be one of the best big men,” Mobley said.
Despite their strong start, the Celtics only managed 18 points during the fourth quarter after scoring 74 points combined during the first half. The team was penalized heavily for failing to maintain their momentum, and previous trends returned to haunt them — including insufficient bench production, where they were outscored 33 to 6. Coach Joe Mazzulla will need to address these issues before heading toward playoff action.
Throughout the game, Boston had moments to extend their lead but fell short once again against Cleveland's resilient squad. This defeat served as somewhat of wake-up call as they near the playoffs, with Mazzulla stating, “It’s hard to beat the NBA’s best team without two starters,” emphasizing the need for depth and strategy moving forward.
Looking at the bigger picture, this game provided significant insight as to why the Cleveland Cavaliers currently hold the highest NBA record at 49-10, solidifying their confidence as they prepare for the postseason. Despite facing previous elimination by the Celtics during the playoffs, Mitchell and the Cavaliers see this win as validation of their growth, as they strive to become postseason contenders.
Meanwhile, with six games left on their homestand, the Celtics are determined to address their frustrations and avoid falling victim to complacency against high-caliber teams. The mix of elite talent they possess provides assurance as they evaluate their performance and readiness for the challenges of the playoffs.
Both teams are set to play again on Sunday, with the Cavaliers hosting the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Celtics facing the Denver Nuggets. The intensity and stakes of the encounters suggest they are set to heat up as the playoffs approach.