Down three starters entering the game Wednesday night and down Jaylen Brown for the second half, the Celtics were going to need their bench to step up. When called upon this season, the Boston bench has come through, and Wednesday night’s 106-99 win over the Philadelphia 76ers was no different.
This was a true test for the Celtics, as the 76ers entered Wednesday night having won eight of their last 10 games, and were sitting just three games behind the Celtics for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Unlike the Celtics, the 76ers also entered Wednesday’s contest healthy.
Boston was without Marcus Smart, who missed his eighth consecutive game due to an ankle injury, as well as Al Horford (knee swelling) and Robert Williams (ankle), who were both ruled out prior to tip-off. Despite the absences of the three starters, the depth of the Celtics was on full display from the opening tip, as Blake Griffin and Grant Williams, who were forced into the starting lineup due to the absences of Horford and Rob Williams, combined for 17 of Boston’s 30 first-quarter points. Griffin would finish with a season-high 15 points, while Grant Williams also finished with 15.
The contributions for Boston did not stop there, as Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White poured in 19 points apiece and Sam Hauser finished with another 14.
The contributions from the bench were even more impactful given that Jayson Tatum finished with a season-low 12 points on the night. To Tatum’s credit, though, he was able to impact the game in different ways. He finished with a team-high nine assists, and tied the team-high in rebounds with eight.
Depth is an important part of any championship contender, and the Celtics have made it clear they have it. This isn’t a one-time thing for the Celtics. The bench has continuously stepped up when called on and it’s been a driving factor in the success of the Celtics.
Having experienced players that can come into a game and have an immediate impact is a luxury, and one the Celtics are reaping the benefits of. This was something interim coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged after the game.
"We go into situations like this with the utmost trust and comfortability because of our depth and the character of our guys," Mazzulla said. "You can always count on them."
Unfortunately, what was an encouraging night for the Celtics will be overshadowed by the news of another injury, as the Celtics lost Brown to a facial fracture on this nasty collision with Tatum.
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Brown suffered a facial fracture and the initial feeling is Brown could be sidelined through the All Star break.
It’s awful news for the Celtics, and Brown, who was recently subjected to trade rumors (again). But if Wednesday night was any indicator, the Celtics seem to have the pieces to be able to keep themselves ahead of the pack while they await the return of Brown.
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