The Boston Celtics secured their 30th win of the NBA season by defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 125-114 at TD Garden in Boston on Wednesday night, propelled by a remarkable combined effort of 72 points from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the team’s standout stars.
Brown led the charge with a season-high 41 points and 12 rebounds, showcasing his versatility by attacking the Pelicans effectively from mid-range. He attributed his success to offseason strength gains, which have enabled him to absorb contact and avoid settling for deep shots.
“I’ve been focusing on driving more aggressively this year,” Brown explained to reporters post-game. “While I’m comfortable taking threes, I’m making a deliberate effort to get to the basket more consistently throughout the season.”
Backing Brown’s approach, Celtics forward Al Horford highlighted Brown’s impact, noting, “When Jaylen decides to drive, opponents feel it. His ability to finish through contact is impressive, and it’s great to see him attacking with such determination.”
Brown’s 41-point performance marked his sixth career game with at least 40 points, surpassing Celtics legends Sam Jones and Isaiah Thomas for the sixth-most in franchise history. Alongside Tatum, these two dynamic wing players have emerged as pivotal figures in Boston’s recent resurgence.
Last season, the Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals but fell short against the Golden State Warriors. This year, they continue to assert themselves as one of the league’s elite teams.
In achieving both 30 points and 10 rebounds each in the same game, Brown and Tatum became the first Celtics duo to accomplish this feat since Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker in 2001.
Drafted closely together—Brown in 2016 at No. 3 and Tatum in 2017 at No. 3—they have developed a strong on-court chemistry and a keen understanding of dissecting opposing defenses.
“They’re maturing right before our eyes,” Horford remarked about the burgeoning star duo. “Their synergy fuels our team’s success, and their ability to raise each other’s game is a major driving force for us.”