Celtics Shatter Cavaliers’ Perfect Record in Epic Showdow
In a game that lived up to its massive hype, the Boston Celtics ended the Cleveland Cavaliers’ historic 15-game winning streak with a nail-biting 120-117 victory at TD Garden on Tuesday night. The win not only halted Cleveland’s perfect start but also reinforced Boston’s status as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.
Jayson Tatum put on a masterclass performance, leading the Celtics with 33 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists. The All-Star forward’s clutch shooting, including a momentum-shifting buzzer-beater to end the third quarter, proved decisive in what could be a preview of this season’s Eastern Conference playoffs.
The game unfolded in two distinct chapters. Boston dominated the first half, building a commanding 65-48 lead while shooting exceptionally well from beyond the arc. The Celtics’ hot shooting continued early in the third quarter as they stretched their advantage to 21 points at 79-58.
But the Cavaliers showed why they started the season 15-0. Led by Donovan Mitchell’s game-high 35 points, Cleveland mounted a fierce comeback that had the TD Garden crowd on edge. Evan Mobley added a strong double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds, helping the Cavs cut the deficit to just two points multiple times in the fourth quarter.
What made the difference? The three-point line told the story. Boston’s shooters were on fire, making 22 of 41 attempts from deep (53.7%). Six different Celtics players hit multiple three-pointers, showcasing the team’s incredible shooting depth. Meanwhile, Cleveland’s usually reliable three-point attack struggled, converting just 10 of 29 attempts (34.5%).
“We knew they were undefeated and coming to our building,” said Celtics guard Derrick White. “We all knew it was a really big game.”
The loss puts Cleveland’s record at 15-1, tying them with the 1993-94 Houston Rockets and 1948-49 Washington Capitols for the second-best start in NBA history. While the perfect season dream ends, the Cavaliers proved they belong in the conversation among the league’s elite teams.
Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson remained positive despite the loss. “We got what we wanted—feedback,” he said. “This was a test, and from what I saw out there, we could beat anybody.”
The game also carried extra weight as part of the NBA Cup tournament, with Boston desperately needing the win after losing their opening Cup game to Atlanta last week.
Looking ahead, these teams will meet again on December 1st in Cleveland, setting up what could be another classic matchup. For now, the Celtics have made their statement: the road to the NBA championship still runs through Boston.
Both teams can take positives from this encounter. The Celtics showed they can withstand a serious challenge from a top contender, while the Cavaliers proved their hot start was no fluke, even in defeat. As the season unfolds, this game could serve as a pivotal moment for both teams.
The defending champion Celtics improve to 12-3 with the victory, while Cleveland’s pursuit of the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors’ record 24-0 start comes to an end at TD Garden.