BOSTON – Write them off at your own peril. The Boston Celtics, left for dead after an 0-3 start and the long-term loss of Jayson Tatum, have officially announced their resurgence with a stunning 125-105 demolition of the Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers. In a throwback to their championship identity, the Celtics unleashed a historic three-point assault and dominated the glass, proving they remain a force to be reckoned with.
Facing a Cavaliers team many expect to top the East, the Celtics leaned into their core philosophy: let it fly. The team hoisted a staggering 57 three-point attempts, embracing a “quantity over quality” approach that eventually broke Cleveland’s spirit. While starters Derrick White and Payton Pritchard struggled from deep (4-19 combined), the rest of the team caught fire, shooting a blistering 17-for-38 from beyond the arc.
The catalyst was a breathtaking first-quarter run where the Celtics hit a three-pointer on five consecutive possessions, with sharpshooter Sam Hauser accounting for four of them. This relentless outside attack, combined with Jaylen Brown’s game-high 30 points, created an offensive avalanche the Cavaliers simply could not withstand.
Derrick White shoots free throw vs. Cavs
The Unsung Heroes: Dominating the Interior
The story wasn’t just about the long ball. In a game where they were theoretically outsized, the Celtics’ makeshift frontcourt won the battle of attrition. With Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet all gone, the trio of Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, and Josh Minott became unlikely heroes.
The Celtics grabbed 17 offensive rebounds to Cleveland’s 11.
Queta and Garza combined for 10 of those offensive boards, with Queta personally out-rebounding Cleveland’s All-Star big men, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
This pure energy and hustle on the glass created a massive possession advantage, turning missed threes into second-chance opportunities and demoralizing the Cavaliers.
A Defensive Masterclass
While the offense will grab headlines, the defense sealed the victory. After a competitive start, the Celtics locked in, holding the Cavaliers to a frigid 7-for-40 (17.5%) from three-point range over the final three quarters. Most impressively, they completely silenced Donovan Mitchell, holding the superstar guard scoreless in the entire second half.
This was more than just a win; it was a declaration. The Boston Celtics, even without their best player, have an identity and the personnel to execute it. Their commitment to the three-point shot, combined with a gritty, collective effort on the boards and a smothering defensive performance, sent a clear message to the rest of the league: the Celtics are far from finished. If this “next man up” mentality continues, the predicted down year in Beantown might just be a lot more exciting than anyone anticipated.