Celtics Cruise Past Warriors in Season Series Finale

Boston's dynamic duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum too much for short-handed Golden State

Mar. 18, 2026 at 4:26am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Boston Celtics (45-23) defeated the Golden State Warriors (33-35) 120-112 in their final regular season matchup. Led by Jaylen Brown's 41 points and Jayson Tatum's 21, the Celtics pulled away in the second half to cover the 12.5-point spread at home. The Warriors, playing without Stephen Curry, Seth Curry, and others, got a strong 30-point performance from Kristaps Porzingis but ultimately couldn't keep pace with the Celtics' firepower.

Why it matters

This game had major playoff implications, as the Warriors are fighting to hold onto a postseason spot in the West, while the Celtics are jockeying for position atop the East. Boston's ability to win comfortably without key players like Al Horford demonstrates their depth and resilience as a title contender.

The details

The Celtics took control of the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Warriors 32-22 to build a double-digit lead they would not relinquish. Jaylen Brown continued his MVP-caliber season with an efficient 41-point outing, while Tatum added 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. For the Warriors, Kristaps Porzingis had a standout performance with 30 points, but the team's lack of firepower without Steph Curry proved too much to overcome.

  • The Celtics and Warriors met for the second and final time in the regular season on March 18, 2026.
  • Boston has now won 4 of the last 5 meetings between the two teams dating back to last season.

The players

Jaylen Brown

All-Star forward for the Boston Celtics who has emerged as an MVP candidate this season.

Jayson Tatum

Superstar forward for the Boston Celtics and one of the NBA's elite two-way players.

Kristaps Porzingis

Veteran center for the Golden State Warriors who had a strong individual performance in the losing effort.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When Jayson and Jaylen are both playing at this level, we're really tough to beat. They set the tone for us tonight.”

— Ime Udoka, Head Coach, Boston Celtics

“We fought hard, but they just had too much firepower without Steph and some of our other guys out. Credit to Boston, they're a great team.”

— Draymond Green, Forward, Golden State Warriors

What’s next

The Celtics will look to continue their strong play as they push for the top seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Warriors will try to hold onto a playoff spot in the West without their injured stars.

The takeaway

This game showcased the Celtics' depth and versatility as they were able to comfortably defeat a quality opponent even with key players out. Meanwhile, the Warriors' struggles without Steph Curry highlight their reliance on their superstar and the uphill battle they face to secure a postseason berth.