Celtics Vs Nets: Boston Blows Out Brooklyn 148-111 as Vucevic Delivers Off the Bench
Boston demolished Brooklyn 148-111 at TD Garden Friday night in a celtics vs nets clash that highlighted the Celtics’ depth and shooting touch. The margin and timing—Boston’s first home game back after a west coast trip and a run of five wins in six games since the All-Star break—amplify the result’s importance.
Jaylen Brown fuels offensive onslaught
Jaylen Brown paced Boston with 28 points while also handing out nine assists and grabbing seven rebounds. He was lethal from the field, going 9-of-12 overall and a perfect 4-of-4 from three-point range. Brown’s scoring helped the Celtics build and maintain separation at several points, including a game-high scoring mark that coincided with the team’s decisive third-quarter stretch.
Nikola Vucevic’s bench double-double and role adjustment
Nikola Vucevic, coming off the bench, posted his third double-double since joining the Celtics with 28 points and 11 rebounds. He converted 9 of 13 field-goal attempts, added four assists and a block, and provided stability for Boston’s second unit. Head coach Joe Mazzulla praised Vucevic’s comfort in the offense and his screening, noting the veteran unlocked a range of opportunities for teammates. Vucevic acknowledged he has had to adjust mentally to a reserve role and said he felt more free and aggressive on this night.
Bench performance and team shooting at TD Garden
The Celtics bench poured in 77 points and the club shot a season-high 66. 7% from the field while connecting on 22 three-pointers in the victory. Boston also posted shooting lines of 62% from the field (24 of 39) and 60% from three (12 of 20) in a stretch that left the score only 66-57 at halftime despite those numbers. What makes this notable is how the bench and hot shooting converted what was a modest halftime lead into a blowout over the final 24 minutes.
Third-quarter surge decides the celtics vs nets game
The Celtics seized control in the third quarter, outscoring Brooklyn 43-26 and producing a 27-7 run that produced a 109-83 advantage by the end of the period. Boston shot 15 of 19 in that quarter with 12 assists and hit 5 of 7 from three; Brooklyn managed only seven points over the final 6: 23 of the period. The Celtics’ defense tightened and the offense kept rolling, with Boston’s lead growing to as many as 41 points in the fourth quarter.
Brooklyn starters, streaks and on-court moments
The Nets began the night with Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Michael Porter Jr., Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton on the floor and had no one listed on the injury report. Michael Porter Jr. scored 18 points as Brooklyn suffered its seventh straight loss after entering the game on a six-game skid. Former Celtic Josh Minott checked in for Brooklyn in the first quarter, scored four points and produced a highlight poster dunk over Hugo Gonzalez in the opening period. The Nets also lea — unclear in the provided context.
Lineups, rotations and additional European connections
Only Jayson Tatum missed the game for Boston. The Celtics’ starting five was Derrick White, Baylor Scheierman, Sam Hauser, Jaylen Brown and Neemias Queta. Portuguese center Neemias Queta, who started for Boston, finished with eight points, two steals and a block. Bosnian reserve Luka Garza added four points and three rebounds down the stretch, while prospects Amari Williams and Max Shulga remained on assignment with the Maine Celtics.
The matchup also featured an emotional reunion of former Real Madrid teammates Hugo Gonzalez and Egor Demin, each drafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, presented by State Farm. Demin, a 19-year-old Russian combo guard who retained starting status on the team coached by Jordi Fernandez, finished with five points and two assists. Spain’s Hugo Gonzalez, 20, contributed eight points, two blocks, two rebounds, one steal and one assist off the bench.
Game flow, turnovers and halftime context
Boston’s early hot start—hitting its first five attempts and going 8-of-10—was offset by the Nets’ efficient opening play (7-of-11), which kept the score close. The Celtics led 35-32 after one quarter, going 6-of-7 from three in the period. Turnovers shaped the first half: eight Boston turnovers yielded 12 points for Brooklyn, helping the Nets stay within range. The Celtics tightened ball security in the second half, committing only four turnovers after halftime, which compounded Brooklyn’s difficulties as the game slipped away.
Payton Pritchard added 22 points for Boston and was a +40 for the game; his fourth-quarter layup helped balloon the lead late and prompted a Brooklyn timeout. The Celtics’ combination of elite shooting, bench depth and a dominant third quarter converted a competitive first half into a comprehensive 148-111 victory.
