Golden State Warriors fans couldn’t have asked for a better matchup: the reigning NBA champions, the Boston Celtics, versus a Warriors team looking to prove they belong among the league’s elite this season. And boy, did Stephen Curry and the Warriors deliver on Wednesday night at TD Garden, holding off the Celtics’ fourth-quarter push for a hard-fought 118-112 victory.
After eight games, Golden State is now 7-1, with an undefeated road record, showing that the Bay Area squad has some serious grit this season. Led by Curry’s dynamic 27-point performance, the Warriors showed they’re not just contenders but genuine threats to any NBA team.
Curry Proves His Mettle in Second-Half Comeback
It wasn’t exactly Curry’s game from the get-go. With only six points in the first half, it seemed like he might have been shaking off the rust after his recent ankle injury. But as soon as the third quarter began, Curry turned up the heat, scoring 21 points in the second half. When Boston went on runs to claw back the lead, Curry was there to counter. He hit clutch threes, kept his composure at the line, and even dished out nine assists while grabbing seven rebounds.
Statistically speaking, Curry’s influence was undeniable: he went 8-for-17 from the field and made four of his nine attempts from deep. And perhaps one of the night’s most satisfying moments? Curry overtook Charles Barkley in career points, earning himself the 30th spot on the all-time scoring list—a little jab at a frequent Golden State critic.
The Warriors’ Bench Steps Up When It Matters Most
The Warriors didn’t look like winners in the opening minutes. They missed 10 of their first 11 shots and were down by 11 points within five minutes. Not exactly the way you’d want to start against a tough crowd in Boston. But things turned around when Warriors head coach Steve Kerr called on Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield from the bench. The duo brought an instant energy that the team sorely needed, pulling Golden State back with a 16-5 run, including key points from Payton and Hield.
The bench was the heartbeat of Golden State’s early push, and it wasn’t a fluke. With 49 points from the bench by the end of the game, including contributions from Kyle Anderson and Jonathan Kuminga, the Warriors’ depth was on full display. And they needed every one of those points to stay ahead of a relentless Celtics team.
Tatum’s Determined Response Falls Just Short
Jayson Tatum was another major storyline of the night. Celtics fans were already irked by Kerr for his handling of Tatum’s minutes with Team USA during the Olympics, and they didn’t hold back their boos for the Warriors coach. Perhaps feeding off the crowd, Tatum responded in a big way, particularly in the third quarter, where he scored 17 points alone, keeping the Celtics within striking distance.
Tatum finished with a game-high 30 points, yet it wasn’t quite enough. Despite his strong play and an impressive 41-point third quarter by Boston, Golden State clung to a narrow lead. The crowd was hopeful, especially after the Celtics briefly grabbed a lead in the fourth, but in the end, Tatum’s efforts weren’t enough to pull Boston over the line.
Celtics Fans Boo Steve Kerr Amid Olympic Grudge
In an unexpected twist, the Celtics’ rivalry with the Warriors on Wednesday extended beyond the NBA court to the international stage. Boston fans clearly haven’t forgotten Kerr’s role as Team USA’s head coach during the recent Olympics, where Tatum saw limited action. The TD Garden crowd greeted Kerr with a round of boos during the pregame introductions, voicing their frustration over what they saw as an unfair treatment of Tatum during Team USA’s gold medal run.
Kerr’s response? A shrug and a wave. He later stated he felt confident in his decisions and had “no regrets,” as the national team won gold, despite the tough calls on player rotations. Tatum, for his part, has publicly downplayed the issue, though he did admit that watching from the bench was challenging. With the Boston crowd clearly not ready to move on, this Olympic drama might add a bit of extra spice to future Warriors-Celtics matchups.
Warriors Show True Grit on the Road
Golden State’s victory over Boston wasn’t just another win. It was a message to the league that the Warriors can compete with, and beat, the best teams—even on their home turf. The Warriors have found strength in their roster depth, with five players scoring in double figures, solid defense, and a star point guard who seems unfazed by pressure.
Golden State is still early in its season, but with a 7-1 record and a perfect 5-0 on the road, they’re building serious momentum. Fans and critics alike will be watching to see if the Warriors can maintain this level of play, especially as they eye another potential playoff run. The team’s performance against Boston suggests they might just have the right mix of skill, experience, and resilience to go the distance.
