The Boston Celtics dropped a 102-92 decision to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night at TD Garden, ending Boston’s four-game winning streak and snapping Minnesota’s 18-game losing streak in the arena.
After the game, Jaylen Brown pointed to Minnesota’s physicality and pace as the primary reasons the Celtics could not regain control.
“They were physical. They played fast,” Brown said. “They definitely upped their level of intensity and we didn’t necessarily meet the challenge.”
Boston led by 15 points in the first half but saw the game swing after halftime as the Timberwolves increased their defensive pressure.
“So that’s what the story of the game was,” Brown said. “We got to be better. We got to be ready for that and that’s uncharacteristic of us.”
Brown finished with 29 points on 9-of-26 shooting while adding seven rebounds and four assists.
The All-Star guard said the Celtics struggled to match Minnesota’s energy on both ends of the floor.
“We usually are a harder playing team and tonight sort of wasn’t,” Brown said.
Minnesota’s defensive approach focused on disrupting Boston’s actions and handoffs.
“I think they just played faster and it just was more physical,” Brown said. “Tried to blow up handoffs, tried to blow everything up.”
Boston shot 36% from the field and 27% from three-point range, finishing 9-for-33 beyond the arc.
Brown said the team needed to attack with more force when facing that level of pressure.
“Just creating and owning our own space, driving with more physicality,” Brown said when asked what could have helped in the fourth quarter.
The Celtics also struggled to create second-chance opportunities that often stabilize their offense during cold shooting nights.
“Yeah, a lot of pressure, especially when we’re not making shots or when a team is playing a little bit harder than us,” Brown said when discussing the lack of offensive rebounds.
Minnesota’s speed in transition added to the problem.
Bones Hyland led the Timberwolves with 23 points while Jaden McDaniels scored 19 and Ayo Dosunmu added 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Despite the defeat, Brown emphasized that the game offers lessons as Boston approaches the final stretch of the season.
“Tonight wasn’t an example of what we’ve been doing all season,” Brown said. “We’ve been a harder playing team.”
He also acknowledged areas where his own decision-making could improve.
“I feel like I had some good looks at the basket, but even being a little bit more patient,” Brown said. “I don’t feel like I was as patient as I needed to be this game for my team.”
That approach, he added, is part of the learning process.
“Sometimes when a game gets away from you a little bit, you want to be more aggressive and sometimes you need to be more patient,” Brown said.
Boston remains second in the Eastern Conference with a 47-24 record, holding a narrow lead over the New York Knicks in the standings.
Brown said the turnaround must happen quickly with another tough matchup approaching.
“Not very long,” Brown said when asked how long the loss will linger. “You watch some film, then you move on to the next.”
