Celtics Dominate Cavaliers for Second Straight Win of 2025-26 Season
Coming off their first win of the season, the Boston Celtics built on their momentum with a 125-105 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night at TD Garden. Returning home after defeating the New Orleans Pelicans, Boston looked like a team finding its rhythm again. The matchup featured two teams that have consistently competed near the top of the Eastern Conference in recent years, but this time around, it was all Celtics. The win marked Boston’s second straight after a slow start to the season, showing flashes of the chemistry and balance fans have been desperately waiting for. From start to finish, the Celtics controlled the tempo and dictated the flow on both ends of the floor.
Jaylen Brown led the charge with an impressive 30-point performance, shooting 12-for-20 from the field while adding five rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block. His scoring outburst included a remarkable stretch late in the first half where he drilled multiple deep three-pointers, extending Boston’s lead heading into halftime. Brown has been a consistent offensive force this season, scoring in double digits in nearly every outing, and continues to serve as the team’s reliable go-to option. Sam Hauser added a major spark off the bench, tallying 21 points and connecting on seven of his 13 three-point attempts. His hot shooting helped Boston turn a tight first half into a commanding lead they never relinquished.
The frontcourt pairing of Josh Minott and Neemias Queta also made a statement. Both players have earned recent starts and rewarded the coaching staff’s trust by outplaying Cleveland’s star big men, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Minott and Queta combined for 21 points and an impressive 27 rebounds, providing energy and physicality that the Cavaliers couldn’t match. Their dominance in the paint limited Cleveland’s second-chance opportunities and helped Boston control the glass. This frontcourt chemistry has been a pleasant surprise, especially given the team’s early-season struggles with consistency and rebounding. Defensively, the Celtics made life difficult for Cleveland’s stars. Donovan Mitchell, who was battling through a hamstring injury, started hot but faded quickly, finishing with just 15 points on five-of-12 shooting. Mobley and Allen were held under 20 points apiece, combining with Mitchell for only 50 of the Cavs’ 105 total points. Boston’s defensive rotations were sharp, closing out on shooters and forcing Cleveland to rely too heavily on the three-point line.
With this win, Boston improves to 2-3 and seems to be hitting its stride after an extremely shaky start. The Celtics’ balanced offense, improved rebounding, and team defense all suggest a team learning to play with renewed confidence and cohesion. They’ll now set their sights on a rematch against the Philadelphia 76ers, a team that handed them a loss on opening night. If Boston can bring the same energy and execution they displayed against Cleveland, they’ll have a strong chance to extend their winning streak and get revenge against a key conference rival. This victory wasn’t just another notch in the win column; it was a statement that the Celtics are finally beginning to look like themselves again.
