Payton Pritchard delivered a season-high 42 points to lift the Boston Celtics past the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-115 on Sunday night at Rocket Arena.
Boston improved to 11-9 after controlling most of the game and then holding on in the final moments as Cleveland erased nearly all of a 21-point second-half deficit.
Jaylen Brown recorded his fourth career triple-double with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, guiding a short-handed Celtics lineup that continued to play without Jayson Tatum and rested Derrick White and Neemias Queta.
Pritchard fueled the offense from start to finish, going 15-of-22 from the field and 6-of-11 from deep, including several key shots in the closing minutes.
Boston led by 21 in the third quarter and still held a double-digit edge until Donovan Mitchell knocked down back-to-back threes to bring the Cavaliers within 114-112 with 20.5 seconds left.
Pritchard responded by sinking two free throws, giving the Celtics a four-point margin with 5.9 seconds remaining.
Darius Garland answered with a contested three to trim the deficit to one with 1.2 seconds left, forcing Boston to execute under pressure.
After a timeout, Cleveland fouled Brown on the inbounds pass, and he made only one of two free throws, leaving the Cavs one final possession.
Evan Mobley’s jumper at the horn fell short, sealing Boston’s narrow victory.
Mobley led Cleveland with 27 points and 14 rebounds while anchoring the interior during the Cavs’ fourth-quarter push.
Garland added 21 points and 8 assists, and Mitchell finished with 18 points after a quiet first three quarters.
Jaylon Tyson provided 17 points and hit five three-pointers as the Cavaliers dropped to 12-9.
Jordan Walsh posted career highs with 14 points and 11 rebounds for Boston, giving the Celtics a needed lift in a rotation stretched by injuries.
Boston shot 49 percent from the field and made 14 three-pointers, while also generating enough stops early to create separation.
Cleveland countered with 20 made threes of its own but could not overcome Boston’s efficiency inside the arc and Pritchard’s relentless scoring.
The Celtics also capitalized on interior rebounding, finishing with 46 boards and limiting Cleveland’s second-chance opportunities until late.
Both teams continue to navigate heavy injury lists, with Cleveland missing Jarrett Allen, Larry Nance Jr., Lonzo Ball, and Sam Merrill.
Boston will return home to face the Knicks on Tuesday, while Cleveland heads to Indiana to meet the Pacers on Monday.
