Jayson Tatum, Celtics Wow Paul Pierce, NBA Fans with 52-Point Win vs. Curry, Warriors

zach bacharContributor IMarch 3, 2024

Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

The Boston Celtics absolutely dismantled the Golden State Warriors on Sunday afternoon, winning by the final score of 140-88 in a rematch of the 2022 NBA Finals.

Despite missing Kristaps Porzingis due to a left quad contusion, Boston dominated Golden State from the opening tip and didn’t look back. The Celtics doubled up the Warriors in the first quarter, outscoring them 44-22. Boston’s first-half point total of 82 nearly matched Golden State’s final score after all 48 minutes.

Jayson Tatum led the way with an extremely efficient 27 points, shooting 9-13 from the field as he connected on four of his five attempts from behind the arc. He added three rebounds and five assists while picking up a block and a steal apiece.

NBA @NBATatum hits the 3… Deuce approves 🙌

GSW-BOS on ABC pic.twitter.com/xFdygwOq2S

The Celtics—who have the best record in the NBA—made history along the way, becoming the first team to record three 50-point wins in a single season. Fans and former players, such as Hall of Fame forward Paul Pierce, were amazed by the accomplishment.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportThis Celtics team is ELITE ☘️ pic.twitter.com/Q6XtyYb59e

NBA @NBA82 points is the new highest scoring half for the Boston Celtics since 1997-98, when halves began to be tracked. 👏🍀 pic.twitter.com/ZAws6WTRHN

StatMuse @statmuse1st team in NBA history to win 3 games by 50+ points in a single season. pic.twitter.com/sdGHFpCvZD

Paul Pierce @paulpierce34Omg Celtics

Jay King @ByJayKingThis will be the Celtics’ third 50-point win of the season. The franchise had only done it three previous times.

Malika Andrews @malika_andrewsThe Celtics’ 44 point lead over the Warriors at the break is their largest halftime lead in franchise history.

Boston Sports Gordo @BOSSportsGordoThe Warriors had won 13 of their last 16 games coming into this one. No Porzingis. Absolutely not a gimme.

The Celtics won by 52 and the starters practically didn’t play the second half.

11 straight wins for the Celtics. pic.twitter.com/1FobcfN7ib

Jay King @ByJayKingThe Celtics’ winning streak now stands at 11 games. They have won the last five by an average of 30.2 points per game.

owen @joemazzullaThe Warriors scored 88 points.
The Celtics scored 82 points at HALFTIME.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportChecking in on the Warriors 😳 pic.twitter.com/XKNtYY8ZoJ

Underdog NBA @Underdog__NBACeltics 2nd quarter points: 38
Warriors total points: 38

Celtics just set a franchise record for points in a half with 82. pic.twitter.com/zFSoNc85ia

Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAThe Celtics already have a 51-point win and a 50-point win at home this season. Fans have been treated to some pretty dominant wins in Boston this year.

Stephen Curry got off to a slow start as the Warriors fell to 32-28. Curry finished with a season-low four points in just 17 minutes of action, hitting only two of his 13 field-goal attempts. As a team, Golden State shot 7-41 from three.

Meanwhile, Boston has now won 11 games in a row as the team holds a commanding 8.5-game lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.