Jaylen Brown has 23 points, Jayson Tatum 20 as Celtics top Cavs 109-98

Published: Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 8:30 pm

Celtics Defeat Cavaliers in Eastern Conference Showdown

The Boston Celtics secured a decisive 109-98 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in a highly anticipated Eastern Conference matchup on Sunday. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 23 points, complemented by Jayson Tatum's 20 points in his second game back from injury. Brown also contributed nine rebounds and eight assists, playing a key role in Boston's dominant performance.

The Celtics established a significant lead in the third quarter, reaching a high of 81-55. This win completed a season sweep for Boston against Cleveland. Payton Pritchard added 18 points, while Baylor Scheierman contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds. Neemias Queta also made a significant impact, grabbing 11 rebounds. The victory moved Boston closer to the East-leading Detroit, positioning them within three games of the top spot.

For the Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 30 points, and Evan Mobley added 24 points and eight rebounds. James Harden contributed 19 points and 10 assists. Despite a late rally, Cleveland, which had previously enjoyed a seven-game home winning streak, was unable to overcome Boston's strong performance. The Cavaliers' efforts to close the gap in the fourth quarter were thwarted by Pritchard's timely scoring.

Key absences included Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, who was sidelined due to a knee injury, and Celtics center Nikola Vucevic, who is expected to be out for at least a month following surgery. Mitchell returned to action after recovering from a groin strain.

BNN's Perspective:

This game highlights the competitive landscape of the Eastern Conference. While the Celtics demonstrated their strength, the Cavaliers' resilience and the return of key players suggest they remain a formidable contender. The absence of key players on both sides underscores the importance of depth and adaptability in the long season.

Keywords: Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell, NBA, Basketball, Eastern Conference, Payton Pritchard, Game Recap, Sports News, Injury, Score, Win

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