The reigning champions, the Boston Celtics, faced off against the Oklahoma City Thunder, considered one of the top contenders for the title, for the second time this season on Wednesday night. Playing against the team with the best record in the league, the Celtics found themselves in a playoff-like atmosphere at TD Garden. After three quarters of high-level basketball, the Celtics faltered in the closing minutes, allowing the Thunder to secure a 118-112 victory.

Jayson Tatum led the way for Boston with 33 points and eight rebounds, but Oklahoma City took control with a 15-4 run late in the fourth quarter, pushing their lead to 10 points with just a minute remaining. The Celtics were forced to resort to intentional fouling in the final moments. Though they briefly cut the deficit to four, their comeback effort fell short as time expired.

The Celtics now embark on a challenging stretch, playing eight of their next nine games on the road, starting with a matchup against the Miami Heat at 7 PM EST on NBA TV.

Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown struggled throughout the night, scoring just 10 points on 5-of-15 shooting. His impact was further diminished when he committed his sixth foul late in the fourth quarter, sidelining him during a crucial stretch as Boston tried to regain the lead.

With Jalen Williams (hip injury) and Alex Caruso (illness) unavailable, Oklahoma City opted for a smaller lineup, replacing their usual big-man duo of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein with Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace in the starting five. The strategy did not entirely stifle Boston’s shooting, but it allowed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (34 points, 7 assists) and Holmgren (23 points, 15 rebounds) to dominate. In total, seven Thunder players reached double figures in scoring.

Oklahoma City started hot, jumping out to a 9-0 lead as Boston missed its first five field goal attempts. However, Al Horford and Derrick White quickly responded with a barrage of three-pointers, combining for the Celtics’ first 19 points. No other Boston player scored until Tatum’s three-pointer with under four minutes left in the first quarter. Still, the Celtics managed to keep pace, trailing 33-30 after an up-tempo first period.

The Thunder continued to score efficiently in the second quarter, but Boston’s three-point shooting remained relentless. The Celtics attempted 36 of their 48 first-half shots from beyond the arc, hitting 15 (42%). While White and Horford kept contributing, it was Tatum’s 18 first-half points that allowed Boston to stay competitive. The teams each scored 30 points in the second quarter, sending the game into halftime with the Thunder leading 63-60.

Oklahoma City gained momentum in the third quarter, stretching their lead to 12 points as Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren continued their strong performances, combining for 57 points by the end of the night. However, Boston remained resilient, and a three-pointer from Horford trimmed the deficit to seven with just over five minutes left in the quarter. The Celtics regained control late in the period, and after Tatum converted an and-one layup, the teams entered the fourth quarter tied 88-88.

The final quarter started as a back-and-forth battle. White made an impact by blocking Holmgren on one end and sinking his sixth three-pointer on the other, keeping the score tied at 95-all with under nine minutes left.

Oklahoma City gradually built a six-point lead as the period progressed, while Boston’s offense struggled momentarily. A midrange jumper from Tatum and an emphatic dunk by Brown cut the deficit to four points. However, Brown then committed a costly sixth foul on Holmgren, sending him to the bench. Holmgren knocked down both free throws, putting the Thunder up by six with 3:36 remaining.

That moment proved pivotal, as Oklahoma City closed the game on a 15-4 run, extending their lead to 10 points in the final minute. The Celtics scrambled to stay in contention but were forced into an intentional foul strategy. Though they managed to cut the lead to four points in the final seconds, their comeback bid ultimately fell short.

Now, Boston shifts focus to a tough road-heavy schedule, beginning with a Miami Heat matchup at 7 PM EST on NBA TV.