Late run and second-chance dominance power gritty 117-112 win over short-handed Grizzlies.
The Celtics (47-23) knew this one had danger written all over it.
A one-game road trip. A depleted opponent. A team with nothing to lose.
For three quarters Friday night in Memphis (24-45), it looked exactly like the kind of game that can trip up even the best teams.
But when it mattered most, Boston found just enough, pulling away late for a 117-112 win to improve to 47-23 on the season.
It wasn’t pretty.
But it was telling.
Here are the biggest takeaways from Boston’s win:
1. Jaylen Brown Continues Carrying Of Offense:
At this point, it’s not a hot streak. It’s a standard.
Brown led the way with 30 points and 6 assists, marking his third straight 30-point game.
And once again, it came in a variety of ways.
He attacked mismatches, knocked down timely threes, and helped steady things when Boston’s offense stalled.
Even when the game got messy - turnovers, missed shots, inconsistent flow - Brown remained the one constant.
That’s what stars do.
Mar 20, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) handles the ball as Memphis Grizzlies forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper (18) defends during the fourth quarter at FedExForum. (Petre Thomas/Imagn Images)2. A Luka Garza Game:
Boston doesn’t win this game without Luka Garza.
Simple as that.
Garza delivered a season-high 22 points, added 8 rebounds, and dominated the offensive glass when the Celtics desperately needed extra possessions.
His physicality helped Boston survive long stretches where nothing else was working offensively.
“He was great on both ends,” Joe Mazzulla told the media postgame.
More importantly, he changed the feel of the game.
Have Garza-games like this while the team is still down Nikola Vucevic is vital to Boston keeping pace at the top of the Eastern Conference.
3. Celtics Won Possession Battle:
If the shot-making wasn’t there, Boston found another way.
The Celtics grabbed 18 offensive rebounds and turned that into a 28-13 edge in second-chance points.
That margin alone helped offset 12 turnovers and a sluggish shooting night.
Neemias Queta (12 points, 11 rebounds) and Garza combined to control the interior, giving Boston a clear advantage even while Memphis found rhythm in transition.
It wasn’t clean basketball, but it was effective.
And for a team that spent much of the early part of the season struggling on the boards, having a game like this so late into the season is a great example of the growth they’ve made in that department.
4. Tatum’s Off-Night:
For the first time since returning, Tatum looked out of sync.
He finished just 3 for 15 from the field, missing his first eight shots and never quite finding a rhythm. But even in a rough night, he contributed with 9 rebounds and stayed engaged defensively.
More importantly, Boston didn’t need him to carry the load.
That’s growth.
5. Championship Teams Close:
The Celtics trailed early in the fourth quarter and looked stuck.
Then they flipped the switch.
A 21-5 run changed everything, fueled by defense, hustle plays, and contributions from an unlikely lineup.
Derrick White helped spark it, and Boston finally created the separation it had been chasing all night.
It wasn’t dominant. But it was enough.
At this stage of the season, that’s what matters most.
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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.