The Boston Celtics returned to TD Garden with a bounce-back win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday. They jumped out to an early lead and never quite let up enough to truly let Portland get back in it.
Here's what stood out:
It’s always great to see old friends
A pair of former Celtics suited up against their former team for the first time on Monday. Both Jrue Holiday and Robert Williams III missed the first matchup between these two squads last month, but were able to be out there for the rematch.
Holiday, who spent the last two seasons in Boston, was met with a loud ovation when he was introduced as a starter, as was Williams III when he checked in off the bench. Holiday was also treated to a video tribute in between the first and second quarters.
Jrue Holiday gets his tribute video 🙏 pic.twitter.com/OqsUVzQ6em
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) January 27, 2026
The 2024 NBA Champion essentially served as life support for his new squad. The Blazers got off to a sluggish start, falling behind by 20 points early. Throughout the second quarter, Holiday’s shot-making helped Portland get back into the game.
Meanwhile, Timelord did Timelord things. He reminded Celtics fans of how incredible an athlete he is with some freakish finishes at the rim. Plus, he swatted away an Amari Williams attempt in classic Robert Williams fashion.
Holiday and Williams are awesome players. It was great to see them both on the court, healthy and competing for Portland.
If you can count on one thing, Payton Pritchard is going to show up against his hometown team
Celtics guard Payton Pritchard averages more points against the Trail Blazers than he does against any other team in the association. The West Linn, Oregon, native has had some incredible games against Portland through the first six seasons in the NBA, including his career high of 43 points, which he scored last March.
If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that he’s going to come to play when he lines up against his childhood team.
This game was no different.
The Celtics, who struggled after getting off to a strong start, needed the offensive boost they got from the reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
Pritchard ended both the first and second quarters with buzzer-beaters en route to 12 first-half points. He followed an impressive opening 24 minutes with eight more points in the third quarter, before capping the night off with another three in the fourth.
Derrick White looked like himself again
January has been unkind to Derrick White, to say the very least. He’s struggled to knock down shots he’d typically make.
Even though inefficient scoring doesn’t take away from the rest of his skillset, it’s still best for the Celtics when they can rely on him to do some scoring.
Monday was the most comfortable he’s looked putting up points in weeks. White scored in a multitude of ways, too. Layups, floaters, mid-range jumpers, and threes. It was a relief to see him get back into a rhythm, and hopefully it carries over to Wednesday’s matchup with the Atlanta Hawks.
He finished with 18 points on 7-15 from the field and 2-4 from deep. White did, however, pile up seven turnovers, which he'd surely tell you he'd like to tighten up.
Amari Williams, welcome!
It’s been an important recent stretch of games for Celtics two-way rookie Amari Williams. He found his way onto the floor in both overtimes of Boston’s win in Brooklyn last Friday, and his play was impressive enough to earn him a start the next night in Chicago.
Though he didn’t deliver an undeniable follow-up performance, he got another opportunity against the Blazers with Luka Garza out sick.
This game, this game was the undeniable one.
Almost immediately from the point he checked in midway through the first quarter, it was apparent that Amari was going to make an impact in this one.
His screens were stronger. He was more aggressive in getting himself into position to score. He even blocked a few shots.
Fans were given a real glimpse at what he could bring to this team once he’s more comfortable playing at the NBA level.
He tallied nine points, seven rebounds, and two blocks in just under 26 minutes.