The Boston Celtics have strung together consecutive wins, climbing back to .500. Sunday at TD Garden, they survived a potential James Harden buzzer-beater, hanging on for a 121-118 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
For the first time, Jaylen Brown [33] and Payton Pritchard [30] both produced at least 30 points in the same game. Derrick White put 22 on the board, burying four of the eight threes he hoisted. And Jordan Walsh, starting for the second straight matchup, starred in his role.
The third-year wing capped the most significant week in his NBA career by holding James Harden to one for four from the field when matched up with the former league MVP. Even with the 11-time All-Star, a master at drawing fouls, registering ten of his game-high 37 points at the free-throw line at Walsh's expense, most of his scoring came with someone else guarding him.
"We sit next to each other on the plane, so I talk to him all the time," Brown told Hardwood Houdini after the win. "That's what this team needs, is somebody that can go out and guard your best player every single night. And even when Jordan wasn't playing, I was telling him that guy could be you. And he's got his opportunity, and he’s playing well right now. So, he's got to keep that going."
Walsh's next opportunity is against the Brooklyn Nets. The six-foot-six wing has done his part to stay in the starting lineup when Tuesday's tilt tips off at the Barclays Center.
However, there was also a question about another member of Boston's first unit.
Payton Pritchard's status against the Nets
The reigning Sixth Man of the Year hurt his ankle while trying to slow down Harden.
Payton Pritchard says his ankle is fine, but says about the play he hurt it on while guarding James Harden:
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) November 17, 2025
“It’s the first time I’ve gotten got like that in, I don’t know when…He made me touch earth.” pic.twitter.com/WxD4QVTQKF
"He got me good. It's the first time I've been got like that in, I don't know when. So, it was a heck of a move. I'll be fine, my ankle will be fine, but he definitely made me touch earth for a second," said Pritchard after Sunday's victory vs. the Clippers.
Fortunately for the Celtics, the sixth-year guard is not on their injury report for Tuesday's contest against the Nets. The only player listed is Jayson Tatum as he continues to rehab from a torn Achilles tendon.
As he does so, the six-time All-Star has remained present and involved with the team, including helping from the sideline during games.
“He has a great mind for the game, so I’ll occasionally go over and ask him what he sees. It’s always great to have a teammate like that," conveyed Pritchard after Sunday's win.
“He’s just annoying me," quipped Derrick White before ernestly discussing Tatum’s impact while on the bench. "Obviously, a great basketball mind," he continued. "It’s always great to have someone like that, where you can bounce ideas off of and see what he’s seeing.”
Tatum's leadership and wisdom have aided the Celtics, who are looking to win their third straight matchup, doing so at the expense of a 2-11 Nets team on Tuesday.