The Nets got to face the reigning NBA champion Celtics without superstars Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown.
And they got beat by Baylor Scheierman — and their own inability to find the little-used rookie.
After leading much of the night and in the fourth quarter, the Nets fell 104-96 to the Scheierman-led Celtics before a sellout crowd of 19,156 at TD Garden on Tuesday night.
Baylor Scheierman, who scored 20 points, celebrates after hitting one of his six 3-pointer in the Nets’ 104-96 loss to the Celtics on March 18 2025. APThe Nets were ahead 80-78 before allowing a 20-8 run to lose the game.
The Nets (23-46) have dropped eight straight meetings with the Celtics. Brooklyn moved half a game ahead of Philadelphia for the fifth-best odds in the NBA draft lottery, and a full game ahead of seventh-place Toronto.
Tuesday marked the first time all season Boston (50-19) was without both Tatum and Brown (back spasms) in the same game.
But Kristaps Porzingis had a team-high 25 points and 13 rebounds, while Derek White scored 15 of his 18 points in the second half.
But the Nets got beat by Scheierman.
Kristaps Porzingis, who scored a game-high 25 points, makes a move on Cam Johnson during the Nets’ 104-96 loss to the Celtics on March 18, 2025. APThe 30th pick out of Creighton in last June’s draft, Scheierman had a career-high 20 points off the bench.
He shot 7-for-8 overall and 6-for-7 from deep, after coming in a career 5-for-25 from behind the arc.
- CHECK OUT THE LATEST NBA STANDINGS AND NETS STATS
But with Brooklyn leading 80-78 after a Tyrese Martin drive, the Nets were just 3-for-11 with two turnovers over the next six minutes.
Scheierman went 3-for-3 from deep with a steal in that game-changing 20-8 Celtics run.
D’Angelo Russell, who scored a team-high 18 points, shoots a jumper during the Nets’ loss to the Celtics. Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images“Scheierman made five 3s in the second half. That was a big difference,” coach Jordi Fernández said. “It comes down to they made 16 3s, we made 13 and we were right there. So proud of the guys. Obviously finding that shooter in that second half, that was an issue.”
The Nets — who have dropped 18 of their past 20 against Boston — ended up shooting just 40.9 percent overall and 13-for-45 from deep. They were outrebounded, 48-39.
D’Angelo Russell (18 points, seven assists and five rebounds) hit a 3-pointer to cap an 11-3 run that put the Nets ahead 37-28 with 7:32 left in the first half.
But the Nets conceded a quick 10-2 run and fell behind 65-62 on Payton Pritchard’s 3-pointer.
Brooklyn clawed back ahead, forcing six straight misses and getting into driving lanes themselves.
Tyrese Martin blew by his defender for a 80-78 lead with 7:42 to play.
Ziaire Williams goes up for a shot as Kristaps Porzingis (right) defends during the Nets’ loss to the Celtics. Bob DeChiara-Imagn ImagesBut the Nets allowed eight unanswered points. Scheierman hit a go-ahead 3-pointer right in front of the Brooklyn bench, staring them down.
Then he got a shooter’s bounce on a 27-footer that put the Celtics up 84-80, and Porzingis’ free throws put the Nets down six with 5:59 to play.
A Porzingis jumper extended the run to 20-8 and left the Nets trailing by double digits with 1:37 left. Brooklyn had no time to rally.
Derrick White, who scored 18 points, drives to the basket during the Nets’ loss to the Celtics. NBAE via Getty ImagesRussell’s four 3-pointers gave him 372 as a Net, moving him past Chris Morris (368) into ninth place in franchise history.
Nic Claxton struggled to score against Porzingis, but his nine rebounds gave him 2,329 for his career, passing Jason Collins (2,323) into 10th in team NBA history.
OKC will rest three starters Wednesday vs. the 76ers, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
