AP Photo/John Minchillo
The Boston Celtics defeated the Brooklyn Nets 116-112 on Monday at Barclays Center in Game 4 of the first round for a playoff series sweep, and they did so without superstar Jayson Tatum, who missed the end of the last fourth after committing a foul.
It was sweet revenge for the Celtics, who fell to the Nets in the first round of the 2021 NBA playoffs in five games.
Despite fouling, Tatum finished with 29 points, three rebounds and five assists. Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart helped push Boston to the limit, combining for 42 points in the victory.
Nets star Kevin Durant had his best game of the series, finishing with 39 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and a steal, but his efforts weren’t enough as two of Brooklyn’s starters, Bruce Brown and Andre Drummond, combined for just two. points.
Kyrie Irving, for his part, finished with 20 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Durant and Irving teamed up in Brooklyn for the 2019-20 season in hopes of winning an NBA title. So far, the farthest the Nets have gotten in the playoffs is the second round. It didn’t help that Ben Simmons, who was acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for James Harden, didn’t play a minute for the franchise this season, but that’s not why the Nets lost this series.
That said, here’s how social media reacted:
NBA on TNT @NBA on TNT
“Every match was tough, but we believed in ourselves.”@jaytatum0 spoke to Inside Crew after completing the sweep against the Brooklyn Nets. pic.twitter.com/En4YD4ahCk
statistics musk @statmuse
The Nets are the first team in NBA history to shoot 50% from the field and 40% from 3 in the playoffs and be eliminated. pic.twitter.com/CrKoqgwNt1
statistics musk @statmuse
The Nets were no. 1 title favorite before the season started.
They are the only team that was swept in these playoffs. pic.twitter.com/5BHAwy4mlB
statistics musk @statmuse
These are the first playoffs in 17 years without KD or LeBron in the second round. pic.twitter.com/K7Dw9jMovz
statistics musk @statmuse
The Jays vs. the Nets:
Jayson Jaylen
29.5 PPG 22.5 PPG
7.3 APG 5.3 RPG
1.8 SPG 2.5 SPG
41.9 3P% 49.3 FG% pic.twitter.com/wku0iorQIr
💫 @haynaz
KEVIN DURANT AND KYRIE IRVING ARE A FRAUD LMAOOOOO pic.twitter.com/7iE7aB5CDt
Bleacher Report @Bleacher Report
Draymond watching the Nets sweep 😅 pic.twitter.com/wdMuoAjeWL
Statistics and information from ESPN @ESPNStatsInfo
The Nets are 1-8 in their last 9 playoff games since Game 3 of the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Bucks.
Jayson Tatum’s 118 points are the most by a Celtics player in 4 games. swept, breaking his own 2020 first-round record over the 76ers. pic.twitter.com/ZmGFwEsmxg
The Celtics will play the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks or Chicago Bulls in the next round. The Bucks lead that series 3-1 with Game 5 scheduled for Wednesday.