Boston flips the switch after halftime and closes its West Coast swing playing its best basketball
Jaylen Brown didn’t just have a big night Saturday in Los Angeles.
He made a statement.
Brown matched his career-high with 50 points as the Celtics (22-12) routed the Clippers 146-115 at the Intuit Dome, turning a potential road test into a second-half blowout.
Boston outscored Los Angeles 75-52 after halftime, capped off its West Coast swing at 4-1, and continued to operate like a team shifting into a higher gear.
Here are four takeaways from the Celtics’ dominant win over the Clippers (12-22):
1. Jaylen Brown Took This Personally
This didn’t feel accidental.
Brown erupted for 50 points in just 35 minutes, including 19 in a third quarter that effectively ended the game.
After a competitive first half, Brown flipped the switch and never turned it off, scoring from everywhere, against everyone, with a confidence that felt pointed.
The timing was telling.
One night after being overlooked for Eastern Conference Player of the Month, Brown competed like someone determined to respond. He converted 7 of 8 shots in the third. Nailed three triples. Buried tough midrange jumpers. Muscled finishes at the rim.
By the time he checked out to a standing ovation with three minutes left, the result was long decided, as was his message.
Brown is playing like a true MVP candidate, and I have to imagine the odds will shift to reflect that in short order.
Jan 3, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) shoots the ball against forward Derrick Jones Jr. (5) in the second half at Intuit Dome. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)2. Starting Lineup Change Worked - Immediately
Head coach Joe Mazzulla rarely tinkers when healthy, making Saturday notable.
Sam Hauser replaced Jordan Walsh in the starting lineup for the first time in nearly two months, a clear response to Boston’s sluggish starts earlier in the trip.
The outcome? A 42-point opening quarter and immediate offensive rhythm.
Hauser knocked down early threes, stretched the floor, and forced the Clippers to guard the entire half-court. Walsh still played meaningful minutes - even sliding to center at times when Mazzulla went small - but the tone was set early.
Roles are earned nightly. Saturday proved it.
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3. Nothing “Regular” About This Regular Season Game
The Clippers entered on a six-game winning streak, dominating behind Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. The energy in the Intuit Dome matched that.
Boston matched it, and then exceeded it.
Once the Celtics found their rhythm, the separation was obvious.
Derrick White poured in 29 points, Boston shot 55% from the field, 47% from three, and six players finished in double figures.
Clippers head coach Ty Lue pulled his starters early in the fourth after Boston’s 18-8 run.
The Clippers never threatened.
Jan 3, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) and guard Derrick White (9) in the first half at the Intuit Dome. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)4. Successful West Coast Swing
Yes, the schedule was soft. As good teams do, the Celtics took advantage.
Boston finished the trip 4-1, has won seven of its last eight, and is just one game behind the Knicks (23-12) for the No. 2 East seed.
More importantly, they’re winning without needing perfection.
Saturday was the exclamation point.
Not because it was pretty, but because it showed what happens when this team ends a game on its terms.
Jaylen Brown decided that early.
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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.