Celtics ride Pritchard’s 42 points to narrow win in Cleveland
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Boston, Dec. 1, 2025 — One night after a rough outing in Minnesota, guard Payton Pritchard bounced back with a season-high 42 points, powering the Celtics to a 117-115 victory over the Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
The fourth-year guard shot 15-for-22 overall and 6-for-11 from deep, hitting a three-pointer nine seconds into the game and adding 15 points in the final period to fend off Cleveland’s late charge. Despite early foul trouble, he sealed the result with two free throws in the closing seconds.
Pritchard said he treated the matchup “like a summer workout,” determined to respond after “a disappointing night” 24 hours earlier in Minneapolis. Boston improved to 15-5.
Injury management on back-to-back
Center Neemias Queta (sprained left ankle) and guard Derrick White (right calf contusion) sat out the second half of the back-to-back. Head coach Joe Mazzulla noted that the club, which also plays Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, may rest other rotation players during the busy stretch to lean on its depth.
Brown seeking trips to the line
All-Star wing Jaylen Brown entered Sunday averaging 28.8 points — eighth in the league — yet ranked just 27th in free-throw attempts at 6.3 per game. Mazzulla agreed Brown deserves more whistles but said he does not plan to submit officiating clips to the NBA.
Tillman steps up
With Queta sidelined, forward-center Xavier Tillman made his first start of the season and supplied nine points, six rebounds, three steals and a block. The veteran had appeared in only one of the previous 11 contests. Mazzulla praised Tillman as “the ultimate professional” who stays prepared regardless of minutes.
Boston hosts its next game Tuesday as the demanding week continues.
Source: Hoops Rumors
