In what was a classic trap game set-up, the Boston Celtics needed an overtime period to put away a pesky Brooklyn Nets ball club desperate for their first win of the 2026-27 NBA regular season on the second night of the Celtics' first back-to-back games of their current campaign. There were several moments where it felt like the Nets were about to open up a big lead vs. Boston, but timely makes from the Celtics helped prevent the need to dig out of deep holes.
In the game's third frame in particular, contributions from Sam Hauser, Luka Garza, and Baylor Scheierman kept Boston close. "Even before that point, Brooklyn’s a great team, and they’re well coached," said Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla of Brooklyn and their coach Jordi Fernandez. "It’s
the second night of a back-to-back, so I think staying with it up until that point, we weren’t playing well, but we were staying with it."
"I think (in) moments of the season you want to be able to validate the entire roster and know that at different times, we go to different guys," he added.
"And I thought that group came in, and it was one loose ball, another loose ball, a couple mid shots in transition, some great rebounds," said Mazzulla. "And they got us back in it, and then we were able to play from there so every guy has to impact winning in different ways."
"I thought those three did a great job of that in that middle unit. We had to get in one in overtime, and then had to win it again, so we’ll learn from that."
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Joe Mazzulla lauds late play of Luka Garza, Baylor Scheierman, Sam Hauser in Nets blowout
