In a thrilling matchup on March 12, 2024, the Boston Celtics secured a 129-119 victory against the Utah Jazz, propelled by a standout performance from Derrick White. White scored 13 of his total 27 points in the fourth quarter and achieved a career-high seven blocks, marking a unique accomplishment in NBA history. He became the 13th player ever to achieve a game stat line of 27 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and seven blocks, and notably, he is the first guard and the first Celtic to reach this milestone.
The Celtics’ win was bolstered by Jaylen Brown, who contributed 23 points and 10 assists, ending his impressive streak of nine consecutive games scoring 30 points or more. This puts him in a tie with Celtics legend Larry Bird, who also had nine straight 30-point games back in February and March of 1985. Alongside Brown, Anfernee Simons added 20 points, while Payton Pritchard chipped in with 18 points, helping Boston improve their record to five wins out of their last six games.
On the opposing side, the Jazz saw a remarkable performance from Keyonte George, who scored 37 points. Despite being listed as questionable with an illness just hours before the game, George’s efforts kept Utah competitive. Jusuf Nurkic also had a strong outing, posting a season-high 26 points, while Lauri Markkanen added 22 points. The Jazz were without regular rotation players Svi Mykhailiuk and Kevin Love, and rookie Ace Bailey missed the game due to a hip injury.
The game saw the Jazz initially take control, leading by 12 points in the first quarter following their recent victories over Detroit and San Antonio. However, the Celtics quickly turned the tide in the second half. Following a free throw by Nurkic that narrowed the gap to four points, Boston responded with three consecutive baskets from Brown, Pritchard, and Simons, extending their lead to 123-112 with just under four minutes remaining. The Jazz struggled to recover and never came within seven points after that.
Both teams showcased impressive offensive skills, but they also exhibited defensive weaknesses, allowing numerous straight-line drives and wide-open three-point shots. While White’s blocks and Neemias Queta‘s three steals highlighted some defensive efforts, the overall performance on this front left much to be desired. Utah turned the ball over 13 times, which led to 23 points for Boston, while the Celtics only allowed five points on their eight turnovers.
Looking ahead, the Celtics are set to face the Sacramento Kings on March 14, continuing their five-game road trip. The Jazz will head to Los Angeles to face the Clippers on the same day. Both teams will seek to build momentum from this high-stakes matchup.
