Kristaps Porzingis made a strong comeback from an eight-game absence, scoring 24 points to help the Boston Celtics secure a 115-113 win over the Brooklyn Nets. The big man stepped up in the fourth quarter with 14 points, ensuring Boston held off a late rally at Barclays Center.
Payton Pritchard added 22 points, while Jayson Tatum finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. The Celtics built a 21-point lead in the second quarter before Brooklyn fought back, cutting it to two in the final period. Porzingis responded with a crucial three-point play and a deep three-pointer to extend Boston’s lead.
Boston, which improved to 49-19 and remained second in the Eastern Conference, played without Derrick White and Al Horford, who were rested after a win in Miami. Jaylen Brown left the game in the second half due to back spasms, adding to the team’s injury concerns.
Pritchard made history by setting the NBA single-season record for most three-pointers off the bench, hitting his 219th. He also hit three free throws in the closing moments to help seal the victory.
Cam Johnson led Brooklyn with 23 points, while Keon Johnson added 21. The Nets, who dropped to 22-45 and 13th in the East, have now lost 10 of their last 11 games. They recently announced that leading scorer Cam Thomas is expected to miss the rest of the season due to a strained left hamstring.
The Nets had a chance to tie or take the lead in the final seconds, but their last possession ended with a contested three-point attempt that fell short. Boston’s ability to execute late, combined with Porzingis’ presence in the paint, proved to be the difference.
