Celtics stars Brown, Tatum power win over Hornets

Boston's dynamic duo led the charge in the second half to secure the victory.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:36am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game in motion, with overlapping shapes and planes of green, blue, and orange representing the players and action on the court.The Celtics' dynamic duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum led the charge in a hard-fought victory over the Hornets, showcasing their ability to power the team's playoff push.Boston Today

Boston Celtics stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum combined for 58 points, including 32 in the second half, to lead the Celtics to a 113-102 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Brown scored a game-high 35 points, while Tatum added 23 as the Celtics rallied from an early deficit to secure the victory.

Why it matters

The win keeps the Celtics in the hunt for the second seed in the Eastern Conference, as they look to clinch a playoff spot. The Celtics have now won seven straight season series against the Hornets, showcasing their dominance over a rising Charlotte squad.

The details

Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum took over in the second half, scoring 17 and 15 points respectively to power the Celtics' comeback. The Hornets' star LaMelo Ball scored 36 points, but was held scoreless in the fourth quarter as the Celtics defense clamped down.

  • The Celtics are now 54-25 on the season and on a four-game winning streak.
  • The Celtics will face the New York Knicks, who hold the third seed, on Thursday night in a potential playoff preview.

The players

Jaylen Brown

The Celtics' star forward scored a game-high 35 points, including 17 in the second half, to lead the team to victory.

Jayson Tatum

Tatum added 23 points, 15 of which came in the second half, as the Celtics' dynamic duo powered the comeback.

LaMelo Ball

The Hornets' star point guard scored 36 points, but was held scoreless in the fourth quarter as the Celtics' defense clamped down.

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What they’re saying

“It feels like it's fully returned though, and the Green Team's 113-102 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night was evidence of that.”

— Daniel Donabedian, Author

What’s next

The Celtics will face the New York Knicks, who hold the third seed, on Thursday night in a potential playoff preview.

The takeaway

The Celtics' win over the Hornets showcases the team's resilience and the continued dominance of their star duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. As the playoffs approach, the Celtics are positioning themselves as a top contender in the Eastern Conference.