The Celtics did their best to downplay the significance of Saturday night’s matchup with the Lakers, but once they stepped into TD Garden, it was clear that effort was futile.
A special buzz filled the arena. Despite their insistence that this was just one of 82 games, it was impossible to ignore the heightened energy. The game started an hour later than usual, reporters and photographers more than doubled in numbers, and fans, undeterred by steep ticket prices, packed their seats well before tip-off.
Right before player introductions, the jumbotron lit up with a 60-second montage that paid homage to one of the greatest rivalries in sports.
It felt like a playoff game—and the Celtics played like it.
A quick glance at the box score confirmed this wasn’t just another regular-season game. Jayson Tatum logged a season-high 45 minutes, Jaylen Brown played 41, and 38-year-old Al Horford clocked 37. After the game, the team admitted what was obvious: this one meant a little more.
“Today was not one of those regular season, normal games where it’s whatever,” said Brown. “Today was definitely [different]. Celtics-Lakers. Two big-time teams. We wanted to win tonight. And we did what it took to win, for sure.”
In these big games, you look for your best players to step up. And Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were more than ready for that challenge.
The Jays combined for 71 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists, and five steals. They scored or assisted on 34 of the Celtics’ 40 field goals (85%) and scored 64% of the team’s total points.
Tatum dropped 41, and Brown added 30, marking the 29th time they’ve both scored 30-plus points in a game—the fourth-most of any duo since the merger. Only Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook (34), Alex English and Kiki VanDeWeghe (33), and Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal (33) have more.
“There have been times where they’ve been called upon to make plays, and they both have made plays, whether it’s for themselves or for others, and they’re taking on that challenge, and they’re doing a great job of their getting to their spots, and making the play that’s necessary,” said Mazzulla. “Their ability to make plays for themselves and their teammates is important. Sometimes, the game calls upon them to be great, and we need them to do it, and they both delivered.”
Mazzulla often emphasizes that their value isn't just defined by scoring. With the offensive talents of Tatum and Brown (and their often big scoring numbers), their defensive impact can easily be overlooked. Yet, on a team that prides itself on defense, the Jays consistently deliver on that end, with Brown leading the charge through his relentless effort.
Brown took on the challenge of guarding Doncic for most of the night, and just like in the NBA Finals nine months ago, he made life difficult for last year’s scoring champ—picking his pockets a few times and forcing him to earn every point.
That effort wore on Doncic, especially on the defensive end (sound familiar?). Brown recorded five deflections and three steals, while Tatum contributed a deflection, two steals, and a block of his own.
“I mean, the toll that it takes—the mental, emotional, and physical toughness that it takes to do what Jaylen is able to do, and like he did tonight, it is just high-level by him. And Jayson’s ability to take pride in his individual defense,” said Mazzulla. “When your best players take pride in their individual defense, I think it sets the tone for your team, and those guys take on that challenge.”
It may fly under the radar some nights, but in a potential NBA Finals preview against another star-studded duo in Doncic and LeBron James, it’s impossible to ignore. The two-way ability of the Jays stands unmatched by any other tandem in the league, setting them apart from the competition.
Tatum and Brown aren’t just the best duo in the league—they’re the most complete. And in a game with playoff-level intensity, they reaffirmed there’s no duo you’d rather have leading your team.
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