Jaylen Brown (7) put on a brilliant performance, scoring 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists as the Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-98.

progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – Jayson Tatum (JT) scored 20 points in 27 minutes after scoring 12 points in the first quarter of his second game back from injury. However, the match against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena, Cleveland, Sunday night, March 8, 2026, US time, belonged to Jaylen Brown (JB), who scored 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. The Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 109-98, to improve their record to 43-21.

Nikola Vucevic was the only Boston Celtics player sidelined due to a right ring finger injury. The Boston Celtics fielded starters Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, Jayson Tatum, and Neemias Queta. Donovan Mitchell returned for the Cleveland Cavaliers after missing the last few games, along with James Harden, Sam Merrill, Dean Wade, and Evan Mobley. Jarrett Allen, Max Strus, and Tyrese Proctor were all missing.

The Boston Celtics started the game somewhat slowly and trailed 11-3 early. Evan Mobley scored seven quick points for the Cleveland Cavaliers, prompting Joe Mazzulla to call a timeout.

Jayson Tatum was able to play like Jayson Tatum in the first quarter. He scored 12 points on 4/6 shooting from the field, as the Boston Celtics ended the quarter with a 32-15 lead to take a 35-26 lead.

The second quarter started quickly for the Boston Celtics because Tatum and Brown were on the bench. In the past, the Boston Celtics would have struggled in those minutes. This was different. They’ve been playing those minutes all season and were able to win by a large margin. They outscored the Cleveland Cavaliers 7-2 when JT returned to the court.

The second quarter was a complete defensive affair for the Boston Celtics. During the first 8:31 of the quarter, the Boston Celtics held the Cavaliers to just 7 points, two of which came on Mobley’s fast-break dunks.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were completely outclassed, scoring just 10 points in the quarter, shooting 4/25 from the field and 0/14 from three-point range. The Boston Celtics regained the lead, taking a 56-36 lead. Jayson Tatum led the team with 14 points, while Jaylen Brown added 11.

The Cleveland Cavaliers began to rally in the third quarter, scoring more points in the first 4:25 of the quarter than they had in the entire second quarter. Joe Mazzulla called another timeout as the Boston Celtics’ lead was reduced to 12 points.

Superstar Jayson Tatum (0) performed well with his Boston Celtics teammates to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-98.

JB truly excelled in the third quarter. He scored nine points in the first seven minutes of the quarter, hitting four of his first six shots of the period.

The Boston Celtics rallied well, taking a 25-point lead. However, an 8-0 run by the Cleveland Cavaliers late in the quarter cut the Celtics’ lead to 86-69. Brown led the team with 20 points, while Sam Hauser scored 15 and Baylor Scheierman had 13.

This continued into the fourth quarter, when the Cleveland Cavaliers cut the Celtics’ lead to 91-81 with a 12-5 run in the first three minutes.

JT’s performance dipped slightly after his strong start, with a streak of seven consecutive missed shots after scoring 12 points in the first quarter. But honestly, he still looked great. He just needs to improve his physical condition to get back in shape, and that will take time.

Two key baskets from Payton Pritchard calmed the Boston Celtics’ attack before Jayson Tatum’s layup brought the lead back to 14. After the Cleveland Cavaliers narrowed the lead to 9 points, JT hit another crucial three-pointer to make it 12.

It was a major blow for the Cleveland Cavaliers when they missed two consecutive three-pointers late in the game, allowing the Boston Celtics to seal the victory with a score of 109-98.

The Boston Celtics’ reserves also contributed significantly to the victory. Payton Pritchard scored 18 points and Baylor Scheierman scored 16 points. The Boston Celtics shot 44% from the field and 39.5% from three-point range. The Cleveland Cavaliers shot 41% from the field and 29% from three-point range.

The Boston Celtics’ next match is against the second-placed team in the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs, at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 8:00 PM EST. (Bembo)