The Boston Celtics cruised to a dominant 130–94 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night in a game that had little playoff significance for either side. With the Hornets already eliminated from Play-In contention and Boston having secured its NBA playoff position, the evening had a more relaxed tone—highlighted by a playful moment between Jayson Tatum and Derrick White.
The two Celtics stars showed up to the court in each other’s signature gear. Tatum rocked White’s trademark white tights, while White sported a short-sleeved look mimicking Tatum. White even went as far as to copy Tatum’s pregame warm-up routine and imitated his scoring celebrations throughout the game.
“Since we probably won’t play the next game, [White] said at shootaround this morning that we should do a headband game,” Tatum told the Boston Herald. “One of the trainers may have mentioned if D-White dressed like me during the game. So it was kind of their idea, and I just agreed and ran with it.”
Celtics dominate in every facet
Derrick White led all Boston starters with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting, adding seven assists, three rebounds, and four blocks in a well-rounded effort. Tatum finished with 16 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds in limited minutes.
Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics takes the ball in the second half against the New York Knicks
Veteran big man Al Horford notched his sixth double-double since February, tallying 13 points and 11 boards. The Celtics’ bench also impressed, with Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser combining for 42 points on a scorching 16-of-23 from the field, including 10-of-14 from beyond the arc.
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Key injury update for Jaylen Brown
In more important news for the Celtics‘ postseason hopes, the team received a significant health update regarding last year’s NBA Finals MVP, Jaylen Brown. According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Brown received pain-management injections in his right knee earlier this week to address a lingering bone bruise and prepare him for playoff action.
The 28-year-old guard is expected to be available for Boston’s first-round series, which tips off April 19 or 20. Brown has dealt with knee discomfort throughout the 2024–25 NBA season, but the condition reportedly worsened in recent weeks, prompting precautionary treatment.
