The Boston Celtics extended their winning streak to three games with a nail-biting 125-124 overtime victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. This result at TD Garden improved their early season record and showed their resilience on the second night of a back-to-back set.
The Celtics and Nets battled through a tight fourth quarter that forced an extra period. Boston ultimately prevailed by a single point in the 125-124 final. This win followed a dominant 134-99 performance against the Chicago Bulls just one night earlier. Their recent form now stands at three wins and one loss from the last four outings, with the sequence reading WWWL. The team's depth was tested and proved vital, especially after a relatively easy win on Monday where no player exceeded 27 minutes.
Joe Mazzulla's starting lineup of Derrick White, Jordan Walsh, Paul George, Jayson Tatum, and Mitchell Robinson has been consistent for the first three games. Managing minutes on a back-to-back was a key consideration, but the core group delivered. The Nets, featuring new addition Julius Randle alongside Egor Demin and Michael Porter Jr., pushed the Celtics to the limit in this first of four regular-season meetings.
Surviving a challenging early schedule is critical for Boston. This was the first of 16 back-to-back sets they face this season, the highest number for any NBA team. Their schedule includes four stretches of three games in four nights before December. Beating a divisional opponent like Brooklyn under those conditions is a positive sign.
Brooklyn made significant offseason moves, acquiring Julius Randle and adding role players like Moritz Wagner and former Celtic Josh Minott. Holding them off demonstrates Boston's ability to handle revamped rosters. The Celtics' own preseason form, where they went 4-0, appears to have translated into early regular-season momentum.
The immediate focus shifts to the NBA Cup. The Celtics host the Chicago Bulls at home on October 30, 2026, in their first In-Season Tournament game. After that, a tough stretch awaits with games against Orlando, Houston, and Milwaukee. Fans can track the upcoming challenges on the team's schedule page.
Injury management remains a point of attention. Devin Carter is on the report with an illness, having been diagnosed with mononucleosis after missing the final preseason games. Keeping the roster healthy through this brutal opening slate will be a priority for Mazzulla and his staff. The team's ability to win close games, like this 125-124 thriller, builds confidence for the long road ahead.
