Jaylen Brown scored 35 points with nine rebounds, leading the Boston Celtics to a 113-102 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night at TD Garden. Jayson Tatum added 23 points, extending his streak of six consecutive 20-point games.
The Hornets held an 11-point lead in the first half, but Boston outscored Charlotte 35-26 in the third quarter to take a 90-87 edge into the fourth. The Celtics then limited the Hornets to 15 points in the final period to seal the win.
LaMelo Ball led Charlotte with 36 points, his second straight 30-point game, while Brandon Miller added 20. Miles Bridges contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds. Rookie of the Year candidate Kon Knueppel struggled, shooting 5 of 16 and finishing with 13 points.
Brown’s scoring consistency continued his hot stretch, marking his 10th straight game with 26 or more points. Tatum’s steady production complemented Brown as both played the entire fourth quarter to secure the victory.
The Celtics improved to 53-25 and moved closer to clinching the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Tuesday’s win also gave Boston a 2-1 edge over Charlotte in the season series, potentially setting up a first-round playoff matchup.
Charlotte, with two games remaining, is fighting to avoid the play-in tournament. The Hornets will host Detroit on Friday, while Boston visits the Knicks on Thursday to continue its postseason push.
Statistically, Boston shot 49% from the field, hitting 43 of 87 attempts, and made 10 of 12 free throws. Charlotte finished 38 of 88 from the floor (43%) and went 10-for-13 at the line.
Boston’s third-quarter surge proved decisive, as the Celtics converted critical baskets while limiting turnovers. The Hornets’ rally in the first half was undone by missed shots and defensive lapses in the closing frame.
Brown and Tatum combined for 58 points, showing Boston’s balanced offensive firepower. The Celtics maintained control in transition and effectively contested Charlotte’s perimeter shots down the stretch.
The win keeps Boston in strong position for playoff seeding, while Charlotte faces a must-win scenario in its final two games to avoid the play-in tournament.
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