Breaking news:🗞️ Jaylen Brown: Celtics’ rout of Warriors was a ‘mindset win

In a commanding display of resilience and teamwork, the Boston Celtics delivered a decisive 125-85 victory over the Golden State Warriors on January 20, 2025, at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

 

 

This triumph not only marked the Warriors’ most significant home defeat in nearly four decades but also underscored the Celtics’ ability to rebound emphatically after setbacks.

The Celtics entered the game following a disappointing 119-115 overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Demonstrating their characteristic fortitude, Boston improved their record to 12-1 in games following a loss this season, with an impressive average margin of victory of 21.7 points. Jaylen Brown, who contributed 17 points on 8-of-14 shooting, emphasized the team’s collective determination:

“We’ve just got to fight,” he told NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin. “It’s the NBA; it’s tough to get a win each and every night. Coming off a long flight, tough game, overtime, we just wanted to come out as a team and do it together.” 

From the outset, the Celtics dominated both ends of the court. Jayson Tatum led all scorers with 22 points, adding nine rebounds and seven assists. Kristaps Porzingis contributed 18 points, while Payton Pritchard provided a spark off the bench with 14 points and a game-high nine assists. Boston’s offensive efficiency was evident as they shot 53.3% from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc, sinking 20 of 48 three-point attempts. 

Defensively, the Celtics stifled the Warriors, limiting them to a mere 34.8% shooting from the field and 26.4% from three-point range. Stephen Curry, Golden State’s leading scorer, was held to 18 points on 6-of-16 shooting, including 4-of-12 from deep. Jaylen Brown took on the challenge of guarding Curry, reflecting on the experience:

“Steph is one of the best players to ever play this game,” Brown said. “It was great to be able to work out with him this summer and be able to lace it up, guard him, and chase him around all night was pretty fun, too.” 

The game’s trajectory was set early, with the Celtics leading 54-39 at halftime. A dominant third quarter saw Boston outscore Golden State significantly, extending their lead to 34 points entering the final period. This performance mirrored a similar blowout victory over the Warriors in March 2024, where the Celtics secured a 140-88 win. 

Head coach Joe Mazzulla praised his team’s response and highlighted the importance of trust and communication:

“You trust the work that they’ve put in their career. You trust the work they put in daily. These guys go through so much on and off the court. It’s a lot of trust, just seeing the way he carries himself.” 

This victory not only reinforced the Celtics’ position as a formidable force in the league but also served as a testament to their mental toughness and unity. As they continue their West Coast road trip, the team aims to maintain this momentum, with their next matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. Reflecting on the win, Brown encapsulated the team’s ethos:

“Tonight was just a mindset win. Our bodies not feeling great, overtime, long flight, early game, nobody made an excuse. We just came out and tried to put our best foot forward.” 

The Celtics’ performance against the Warriors stands as a compelling example of how determination and a collective mindset can overcome adversity, setting a high standard for the remainder of the season.