The Boston Celtics overcame a stunning first-half deficit to defeat the Miami Heat 98-96 Friday night, continuing their winning streak to five games. The victory, secured at TD Garden in Boston on , was fueled by a remarkable second-half turnaround and key performances from Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard.
Trailing by as many as 22 points, the Celtics appeared to be heading for a difficult night. Miami jumped out to a commanding 15-2 lead and maintained control throughout the first half, entering the break with a 59-38 advantage. The Heat’s early dominance was spearheaded by Andrew Wiggins, who finished the game with 26 points, and All-Star Norman Powell, who contributed 24.
However, the Celtics emerged from halftime with renewed energy and a drastically altered offensive approach. They outscored the Heat 60-37 in the second half, igniting a comeback that captivated the Boston crowd. The turning point came in the third quarter, where Boston unleashed a 25-7 run over the final 7:06, drastically shrinking the Heat’s lead.
Payton Pritchard and Derrick White were instrumental in sparking the rally. Back-to-back three-pointers from White and Pritchard ignited the offense, and Pritchard continued to find the bottom of the net, cutting Miami’s lead to 67-58. White later secured Boston’s first lead of the game with a pair of free throws, though Powell quickly answered with a layup to tie the score at 74 heading into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter proved to be a tightly contested affair, with both teams trading baskets. With 1:31 remaining, Derrick White delivered the decisive blow, sinking a three-pointer from the corner to give the Celtics a 98-96 lead. Despite a late attempt by Miami’s Davion Mitchell, whose three-point attempt with 2.7 seconds left rimmed out, Boston held on for the victory.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics in scoring with 29 points, while Payton Pritchard added 24. White, despite shooting 6 of 20 from the field, finished with 21 points, demonstrating his impact beyond the scoring column. Notably, Nikola Vucevic made his Celtics debut, contributing 11 points and 12 rebounds in a solid performance.
Boston’s shooting performance underwent a dramatic shift in the second half. After a dismal first half where they missed 20 of 21 three-point attempts, the Celtics found their range, making 9 of their final 15 attempts from beyond the arc. This improved shooting efficiency was a key factor in their ability to overcome the significant deficit.
The win boosts the Celtics’ playoff aspirations in the Eastern Conference. They currently hold a 34-18 record, positioning them strongly in the standings. The Heat, now 27-26, will look to rebound from the loss as they continue their push for a playoff spot.
The Celtics don’t have much time to savor the victory, as they return to action on , hosting the New York Knicks at TD Garden. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 PM ET. This will be the first of two meetings between the teams in the coming week, with another matchup scheduled for , also in Boston.
Here’s a look at the Celtics’ upcoming schedule:
| Datum | Home team | Host team |
|---|---|---|
| February 8, 2026 at 1:00 am | Boston Celtics | New York Knicks |
| February 11, 2026 at 1:00 am | Boston Celtics | New York Knicks |
| February 19, 2026 at 1:00 am | Golden State Warriors | New York Knicks |
| February 22, 2026 at 1:00 am | Los Angeles Lakers | New York Knicks |
| February 24, 2026 at 1:00 am | Phoenix Suns | New York Knicks |
The Celtics will be looking to maintain their momentum against the Knicks, a team currently battling for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. The upcoming games will be a crucial test for Boston as they aim to solidify their place among the league’s elite.
