PHILADELPHIA — Al Horford started his postgame interview within the Celtics locker room, standing in entrance of a tv display that broadcast the NHL’s 4 Nations championship sport between the USA and Canada.
Fittingly, simply because the 38-year-old veteran started to area his first query concerning the Celtics’ sharp early rhythm, Group USA scored a purpose.
“Oh, hell yeah!” Derrick White, a self-proclaimed hockey fan, bellowed towards the tv, earlier than breaking right into a patriotic chant:
“USA! USA! USA!”
Vibes have been excessive after one other postgame victory for the Celtics, their fourth straight win and seventh consecutive on the street. Gamers recounted their respective All-Star breaks, and later, Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet, and White collectively burst into laughter over one thing on one in every of their telephones within the nook of the locker room.
With the 124-104 thrashing of the Philadelphia 76ers, the Celtics improved to 40-16 on the season, that means they’ve hit the elusive 40-20 rule, which has lengthy maintained that authentic NBA title contenders ought to attain 40 wins earlier than 20 losses on the season and the numbers again it up. The Celtics now be part of the Cavs and the Thunder in reaching that milestone.
A well-balanced offensive efficiency bought it completed
Boston bought scorching early on and by no means seemed again, sinking 8 first-quarter three-pointers, main by 16 on the half — and increasing the benefit to as many as 29 factors within the second half.
Jrue Vacation, again within the lineup after 4 absences as a result of a proper shoulder impingement, seemed refreshed. Jaylen Brown (20 factors, 6 assists, 6 rebounds) was managed and environment friendly. Payton Pritchard was huge off the bench, recording a game-high 28 factors (on 8-15 taking pictures) and 4 assists, or, as Tatum put it to TNT’s Allie LaForce: “He’s bought to be the sixth man of the 12 months.”
Kristaps Porzingis added 17 factors and Derrick White posted 16 factors. From begin to end, these seemed just like the championship Celtics, with the ball flying and defensive focus crisp.
“We simply did a superb job of attending to our spacing,” Joe Mazzulla stated. “Making the appropriate learn versus the protection, discovering the two-on-one, and taking the appropriate pictures. It’s essential to do this towards a group like this.”
Jayson Tatum just isn’t shy about chasing greatness
When you solely seemed on the field rating, you wouldn’t know simply how impactful Tatum was on this one. The 26-year-old tallied 15 factors, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists en path to his fourth profession regular-season triple-double.
However, his impression prolonged even past simply his stat line, as Tatum largely managed the tempo of the sport along with his playmaking.
Afterward, when requested about what’s fueling him this season, he candidly acknowledged his want to be an all-time nice.
“Since I’ve gotten within the league, it’s simply attempting to get higher each single 12 months,” Tatum stated. “I’m very achieved at a younger age, however the reality is, I envision myself as a kind of guys — the LeBron’s [James], the Steph’s [Curry], the [Kevin Durant’s]. I would like the subsequent technology to view me as that.”
So, moments like Spurs rookie Stephon Citadel deeming Tatum his favourite participant and sporting his sneakers are milestones within the pursuit of that purpose, Tatum stated.
Jayson Tatum was requested about what fuels him by @Globe_Tara:
“The reality is, I envision myself as a kind of guys — the Lebron, Steph, KDs. I would like the subsequent technology to view me as that.”
I requested him if moments like Stephon Citadel are milestone in that journey:
“Yeah. These… pic.twitter.com/kI9sJwgnNO
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) February 21, 2025
Tatum’s aspirations don’t have any bounds. Final week, after a win towards the Warmth, he passionately debated along with his Celtics teammates about Chicken being the franchise’s all-time finest participant. Not everybody within the locker room agreed, however Tatum was steadfast within the perception.
After Thursday’s win, the seven-time All-Star admitted that he’s chasing Larry Chicken in hopes of turning into the best Celtic to ever play.
“I all the time needed to be one of the best,” Tatum stated. “And he’s, for my part, one of the best Celtic ever, and he did it the appropriate approach, and he’s an awesome man to chase in a way.”
“Even when I by no means attain that — possibly I do, possibly I don’t — when you aspire to chase that man, it comes with a stage of focus and motivation each single day to be one of the best you possibly can.”
Celtics followers take over Wells Fargo Heart — once more
There have been so many Celtics followers within the bleachers of Wells Fargo Heart pregame that the in-arena announcer needed to jokingly tackle it earlier than tip-off, and specific assurance that the 76ers crowd was ultimately going to point out out.
The fact, although, is that even when the sport was inside placing distance, Philadelphia’s residence area was devoid of considerable help for the 76ers. After the sport, as every Celtic walked into the tunnel after finishing their on-court media obligations, they acknowledged the raucous Celtic crowd. White threw one child his towel, rigorously choosing him from the various calling for it within the crowd.
Afterward, Payton Prtichard talked about that Joe Mazzulla typically reminds the gamers how fortunate they’re to play for the Celtics.
“It’s all the time superior to see the help on the street — we now have one of the best followers on the planet,” Pritchard stated. “Joe talks about it on a regular basis: it’s only a privilege to have the ability to play in a company and a fan base like this. Undoubtedly grateful, and hopefully we are able to hold successful and convey residence one other one.”
Al Horford enjoys persevering with to infuriate 76ers followers
The 76ers followers who have been in attendance have been audibly pissed off from the second gameplay started.
After the loss, Philadelphia sits in eleventh place within the Japanese Convention — 9 video games again of the postseason — and regardless of having their massive three of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George all obtainable tonight, they merely weren’t capable of face up to the Celtics’ punches.
Embiid acknowledged postgame how a lot his knee harm is inhibiting him.
“The way in which I used to be enjoying a 12 months in the past just isn’t the way in which I’m enjoying proper now,” he stated. “It sucks, however I imagine I in all probability must, you recognize, to repair the issue, after which I’ll be again at that stage.”
However, the Philadelphia crowd appeared particularly bothered by Al Horford’s presence, and effectiveness. Horford tallied 11 factors on 4-7 taking pictures in 18 minutes and was a +20 in his minutes — and the gang loudly booed him when he was launched.
Such has been the norm since Horford returned to Boston in 2021 after an unsuccessful season with Philadelphia.
Horford doesn’t thoughts the animosity he faces in Philadelphia; in truth, he likes it.
“They care sufficient to boo,’ he stated. “It’s good to be cared for.”
And, as a lot as followers made positive to specific their dislike for Horford, it’s clear that they acknowledge, and are bothered by, his impression.
“Yo Joel, a 38-year-old is guarding you, do one thing,” one yelled on the former MVP.
“He’s a senior citizen guys, come on,” yelled one other fan as Horford saved a unfastened ball from going out of bounds.
Is Torrey Craig an elite rim protector?
The 34-year-old veteran, enjoying simply his second sport as a Celtic, was vastly impactful in a restricted stint.
He solely performed 8 minutes — all blowout fourth-quarter minutes — however Craig tallied 3 blocks in that span, and spurred the Celtics bench to erupt every time.
“Torrey has been capable of match into our group straight away,” Horford stated. “The luxurious that we now have to have him on our group, realizing that he can are available and impression the sport defensively and convey that vitality and toughness.”
The Celtics are again at residence on Saturday to tackle the Knicks. Then, they’ll hit the street for 2 extra street video games — first towards the Raptors on Tuesday, then towards the Pistons on Wednesday.
