NBA: Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis push Celtics past Spurs

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Jayson Tatum had 32 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists to lead the Boston Celtics to a 116-103 victory over the visiting San Antonio Spurs in the NBA on Wednesday night.

Tatum made 12 of 25 field goal attempts, including 4 of 14 from behind the 3-point arc.

Kristaps Porzingis added 29 points and six rebounds for the Celtics, who have won seven of their last eight games. Boston also received 19 points, seven rebounds and nine assists from Derrick White, and six points plus 10 boards from Al Horford.

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Boston drained 18 of 55 shots (32.7 percent) from beyond the 3-point arc and outrebounded San Antonio 69 to 43. The Celtics had seven players who made at least two 3-pointers.

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis shows his ripped uniform while arguing with officials that he was fouled during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

De’Aaron Fox led the San Antonio offense with 23 points. Victor Wembanyama had 17 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots, while Harrison Barnes added 14 points and seven rebounds.

The Spurs, who trailed by 24 at one point, forced 17 Boston turnovers.

The Celtics were without starters Jaylen Brown (knee) and Jrue Holiday (shoulder). Holiday’s injury has caused him to miss the last four games.

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Boston led 37-19 after one quarter, 66-47 at halftime and 93-81 after three quarters.

The Celtics had their first double-digit lead after a 10-0 spurt put them up 26-15 with 2:48 left in the opening quarter. Boston finished the frame on a 21-4 run.

Tatum had 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists in the first half, when the Spurs were 3-of-21 from 3-point range.

San Antonio used an 8-0 run to slice its deficit to 10 points, 72-62, with 7:12 remaining in the third, and trailed 95-87 with 10:10 to play, but Boston responded with an 8-0 run to stretch its advantage to 16 points.

The Celtics entered Wednesday’s matchup with losses in three of their last four home games. –Field Level Media