The Boston Celtics secured a victory in their first In-Season Tournament game, defeating the Brooklyn Nets with a score of 121-107 on Friday night. Jaylen Brown led the team with 28 points, including five of the team’s 19 3-pointers, while Jayson Tatum added 23 points and 10 rebounds. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized that it was just 1 of 82 games and that they were still figuring things out and learning from each other.

The Celtics’ bench, which had struggled in previous losses, stepped up with 37 points, with significant contributions from Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard, who scored 15 and 13 points respectively. Mazzulla praised Pritchard’s impact, highlighting his contributions beyond scoring.

Despite a strong effort from the Nets, including 60 points from their bench, they ultimately fell short as the Celtics led by as many as 17 points in the first half. Brooklyn made efforts to stay close in the game, but the Celtics’ pace and outside shooting prowess gave them the edge. The Nets played without key players such as Ben Simmons and Cam Thomas, leaving them short on ball handlers and impacting their play in the halfcourt.

Boston’s victory was a reflection of their willingness to improve and adapt, as guard Jrue Holiday noted. The Celtics are focused on execution, toughness, and effort, believing that they can continue to elevate their performance.

With the win, the Celtics broke a two-game losing streak and looked ahead to their upcoming games. The Nets, on the other hand, prepared to face the Washington Wizards in their next matchup. The Celtics are set to host the Toronto Raptors in their next game.

The NBA In-Season Tournament provided an opportunity for teams to showcase their abilities and test their strategies. With both the Celtics and the Nets displaying their strengths and areas for improvement, the competition continues to drive their pursuit of success.