Boston Celtics

5 takeaways as Kyrie Irving and the Nets pull away late from Celtics

The Celtics fell apart late against a talented Nets team.

Jaylen Brown and Kyrie Irving battle for the ball. AP Photo/Adam Hunger

By Tom Westerholm

2 minutes to read

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The Celtics fell apart late against the Brooklyn Nets in their first game back from the All-Star break, dropping their first loss in the last five games 121-109.

Here’s what transpired.

The big picture

The Celtics hung with perhaps the best team in the Eastern Conference for three quarters despite immense struggles from Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker, but even without Kevin Durant, the Nets just had too much firepower down the stretch.

Star of the game

Kyrie Irving – 40 points, 15-for-23 shooting, 5-for-8 from three, 8 rebounds, 3 assists

Irving’s stat line was excellent by itself, but he also buried the Celtics with key shots down the stretch, including a big 3-pointer with 3:15 remaining that proved to be a major swing in momentum.

What it means

The Celtics don’t have Brooklyn’s firepower, even without Kevin Durant. The Nets, who remained 0.5 games behind the Philadelphia 76ers after Philly beat the Chicago Bulls, had two high-level individual scorers on Thursday and a ton of spacing. When Durant comes back, there might not be another team in the Eastern Conference that can match their level.

Takeaways

1. Marcus Smart’s return was a major success, although Brad Stevens told reporters that “the five-minute stint sucks,” referencing Smart’s minutes restriction. The Celtics missed Smart’s defense while he rehabbed from a calf strain, but they also missed him offensively — he poured in 19 points on 4-for-6 shooting and finished 8-for-9 at the free throw line.

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2. Kyrie Irving absolutely cooked the Celtics — all of them. He helped the Nets pull ahead with a flurry of jumpers as he shed everyone from Marcus Smart to Jaylen Brown. The Celtics finally got a stop on him late in the third quarter when Smart slowed him down a bit and gave Robert Williams a chance to get back into the play and swat the shot, but the Celtics were punished by their former star for much of the night.

3. The Nets are great in part because they employ great players, but also because their role players are excellent. Landry Shamet hit six 3-pointers, including a late backbreaker that snapped an important Celtics run. Joe Harris finished 3-for-9 from deep, but his gravity was crucial. Nic Claxton looks like a real contributor. Jeff Green did some damage

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This year’s Celtics don’t have much firepower outside of their stars. Brooklyn’s stars have the benefit of role players who make life a little easier.

4. Kemba Walker started hot, scoring nine points and shooting 4-for-5. He then went scoreless for most of the rest of the game, finishing with just 11 points on 5-for-12 shooting. He finally got back on the board with a layup in the fourth quarter, but the Celtics’ offense fell apart at times in the third and fourth quarters.

Jaylen Brown struggled as well, finishing a paltry 5-for-23 with 13 points. The Celtics aren’t going to beat Brooklyn if Walker and Brown struggle.

5. Rob Williams had a relatively quiet game, but he made an impressive play on the aforementioned Kyrie Irving drive, and he swatted away a James Harden 3-pointer. Opposing guards — even stars — are starting to learn that while you can beat Rob Williams off the dribble by drawing a foul or pump faking past him, you can’t really sneak shots over him. He’s too springy and too instinctive on that end.

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