BOSTON — The Boston Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday night with a commanding 113-98 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series. Powered by a balanced offensive effort and stifling perimeter defense, the Celtics closed out the series 4-1 and now await their next opponent.
Boston’s All-Star forward Jayson Tatum led the charge, posting 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists in a near triple-double performance. Tatum shot 9-of-19 from the field and anchored the Celtics’ attack with poise, consistently finding open teammates and attacking mismatches in the paint.
Jaylen Brown added 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting, while Derrick White contributed 18 points, including four three-pointers, providing much-needed spacing and pace for the Celtics’ offensive schemes. Al Horford turned back the clock with a vintage performance, tallying 10 points, 9 rebounds, and a game-high 5 blocks, frustrating Cleveland’s big men at both ends.
The Cavaliers, playing without All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell (calf strain), struggled to find rhythm offensively. Darius Garland led Cleveland with 24 points and 8 assists, attempting to carry the scoring load in Mitchell’s absence. Evan Mobley chipped in with 17 points and 9 rebounds, but was largely neutralized by Horford and the Celtics’ interior defense.
Cleveland’s bench, which had been a relative strength in the series, managed just 22 total points. Caris LeVert, starting in place of Mitchell, finished with 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting and was a minus-18 in 37 minutes.
Boston outscored Cleveland 30-20 in the third quarter to extend their halftime lead to 16, a margin that proved insurmountable. The Celtics shot 47.5% from the field and 38.9% from beyond the arc, while holding the Cavaliers to 42.3% overall and just 9-of-33 from three-point range.
The Celtics also won the turnover battle, forcing 14 Cavaliers miscues while committing just 8 of their own. Boston capitalized with 19 points off turnovers, swinging momentum in key stretches of the second half.
“We did what we needed to do,” said Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla postgame. “We stayed focused, stuck to our principles, and took care of business at home.”
The win marks Boston’s third trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in the last four seasons. Tatum, who has now scored 25+ points in 10 of his last 12 playoff games, emphasized the team’s maturity: “We’re not satisfied. We know what we’re capable of, and we’re just getting started.”
The Cavaliers, meanwhile, exit the playoffs in the second round for the second straight year. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised his team’s effort but acknowledged the challenge of playing shorthanded. “Losing Donovan obviously hurt, but we fought,” Bickerstaff said. “We’ll learn from this and come back stronger.”
Boston now turns its attention to the winner of the New York Knicks–Indiana Pacers series, which is currently tied 2-2. Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals is tentatively scheduled for Monday night at TD Garden.
Box Score Highlights:
Celtics:
- Jayson Tatum: 25 pts, 10 reb, 9 ast
- Jaylen Brown: 21 pts, 5 reb, 2 stl
- Derrick White: 18 pts, 4 3PM
- Al Horford: 10 pts, 9 reb, 5 blk
- Jrue Holiday: 9 pts, 6 ast, 1 TO
Cavaliers:
- Darius Garland: 24 pts, 8 ast
- Evan Mobley: 17 pts, 9 reb
- Caris LeVert: 14 pts, 4 reb
- Max Strus: 9 pts, 3 3PM
- Isaac Okoro: 7 pts, 5 reb
