The Golden State Warriors never let Boston gain more than a couple points of separation through the first three frames, but the Celtics saved a fourth-quarter run for inside the final 10 minutes of the game.
With 6:48 left in the fourth, Jayson Tatum hit a go-ahead 3-pointer that gave the C’s some momentum. After a Stephen Curry game-tying basket on the other side, the Celtics scored 10 unanswered points capped off by a hard drive and dunk from Jaylen Brown at the four-minute mark.
From there, everything else fell on the defense and free throw shooting, as Boston didn’t score another field goal in the game but still managed to pull out a 111-107 win at Chase Center.
“I thought our guys found a way to win and it was really encouraging,” Stevens said. “We played a good fourth quarter after they cut it to one heading in there.”
The defense’s ability to hold the Warriors down the stretch was promising, though it’s a typical point of contention with this team. Kemba Walker’s show start back has been concerning, too, but he put some more things at ease Tuesday.
Both of those plays mentioned, the Tatum triple and the Brown dunk, came off plays assisted by Walker, and his 19 points, seven rebounds and five total assists don’t really do justice to the bounce-back game he had.
“I’m not perfect, I wish I was. But after tough ones you just have to find a way to bounce back,” Walker said after the game. “That’s what this league is all about. That’s what this game is all about. You can never keep your head down. It’s a long season. So many games and possibilities of me having more like that, so I just want to stay positive as best as I can.
“I just wanted to come out and be aggressive and do what I can to help us get the win.”
He certainly did that much. Whether Walker will have the same opportunity to do that again Wednesday is to be determined, as Stevens and Walker weren’t yet sure of what the point guard’s availability for the second game of the back-to-back.
Regardless, Walker needed this game Tuesday. Stevens could tell he was itching for it.
“His spirit was really good,” Stevens said of Walker. “You could tell he was waiting for another chance to play. I thought he did a good job. No turnovers, five assists, obviously he scored the ball. I’m sure he would say he would have liked to have shot it better but he looked good. And the other thing is it’s hard to score the ball at an efficient rate if you’re the one that’s assigned to Curry at the start of the game because you’re flying all over the place and you’re just not comfortable, because Curry keeps you uncomfortable all night long.”
Here are a few more takeaways and observations from Boston’s win over Golden State:
— Walker wasn’t the only player who was due for a good game.
Tristan Thompson had his best offensive game as a Celtic, dropping 13 points and eight rebounds Tuesday, while Daniel Theis recorded eight points and 11 rebounds in a solid overall performance as well.
Receiving paise from all his teammates, Grant Williams came off the bench to get 15 points with four rebounds shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from the field with three triples.
“Tristan did a good job on the glass. Grant did a good job on the glass. Theis had a couple big rebounds so that’s what you have to do when the other team goes small,” Stevens said.
“One of the things you have to do is punish them on the glass because if you don’t they’ll win the other battles.”
The Celtics out-rebounded the Warriors 62-42.
— Say what you will about the Warriors’ being shorthanded in their game against the Celtics. Curry is still going to keep his team in it if he’s on the court.
Curry had a ridiculous 36-point performance with 11 rebounds and was two assists shy of a triple-double.
“Obviously he still has a great game,” Walker said after having guarded Curry. “Steph is one of the best players in the world, man. He’s an incredible player with an incredible shot and just overall way he plays the game.”
— Boston’s road trip continues Wednesday as Boston heads to Sacramento to face the Kings at 10 p.m. ET.
