BOSTON Jayson TatumA season-high 54 point total was scored — 34 of these in the second quarter — and the Boston CelticsOvercame a rare appearance both Kevin DurantAnd Kyrie IrvingIn the Nets‘ lineup, beating Brooklyn 126-120 on Sunday.
Durant, who played in his second NBA game since mid-January, scored 37 points for the Nets. He became the 23rd player to surpass 25,000 point milestones in NBA history. Irving was with Durant for the fourth time this season. He scored 19 in his third game in three weeks, his first Boston game since being pelted by a water bottle during playoffs.
Jaylen BrownAfter testing his right ankle before the game, he was cleared to play for Boston. He scored 21 points. He scored a 3-pointer in under 24 seconds to give Boston a lead of 121 to 115 in the final minute.
Durant missed a jumper his next time down. He complained that he was fouled but with no luck. Tatum was fouled in the next possession. Chants erupted in the TD Garden as Tatum was fouled on his next possession and, as “MVP!”
The Celtics won five of their six last games, and 21 of their last 27.
EARLY ON
Midway through the third, the Nets scored 11 consecutive points to open their largest lead of the game, 90-81. There was just over one minute remaining in the quarter. Boston scored eight points in a row to make it one point. They then took the lead on their first basket of the fourth.
In the middle of the fourth, the Celtics took a lead of 108 to 100.
UNHAPPY RETURNS
Boston fans booed Irving for opting out of his contract, even though he professed his love for Boston. After the Celtics won the playoffs, a fan threw water bottles at Irving when he left court.
After the game, Irving kicked on the Celtics’ Leprechaun logo midcourt. Ex-Celtic Glen “Big Baby,” Davis was sitting on courtside, wearing a Tshirt that said “Respect the Logo.”
TIP-INS
Nets: Irving missed seven consecutive games and was unable to play in the February 8 match against Boston in Brooklyn due to New York City’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Durant had missed 21 games in a row before returning to action on Thursday night.
Celtics: Nik StauskasThe No. The 8th overall pick in 2014 draft, signed with Boston this weekend, but didn’t play. He participated in two games. MiamiThis season and 26 other games for Grand Rapids Gold of G League. … The Celtics signed forwards Malik FittsAnd Kelan MartinTheir second 10-day contracts. Each player has only played one game for the Celtics, and they did not make the bench Sunday.
UP NEXT
Nets: At Charlotte on Tuesday.
Celtics: At Charlotte on Wednesday.