Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla criticizes missing easy layups and poor shot-making as the reason for their defeat against the Warriors

Boston Celtics suffered a heart-breaking defeat against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. The match had major flashbacks of the 2022 NBA Finals where the Celtics simply didn’t show up with their shooting as they blew up their 17-point lead against the Warriors eventually they lost the match 132-126 at the Chase Center.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla kept it real at the post-match press conference where he made no excuses for his team’s horrible performance down the stretch.

After a poor outing against the Portland Trail Blazers, Steph Curry lifted his performance against the Celtics by dropping 33 points as he delivered six three-pointers and was instrumental in their win in overtime. Klay Thompson also returned to his best as he has returned with at least 24 points in his last four games.

While Curry and Thompson lifted their performance, Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown went cold in the final quarter. The two superstars combined for only seven points and 1-for-10 from the field. Mazzulla told the reporters after the game blamed missing easy layups and not making easy shots which led to their defeat.

“We missed 20 layups and 41 3s,” Mazzulla said. “They went on their run in the non-Curry minutes. They did a good job of getting offensive rebounds, and playing in transition. When you play against a team like that, as much as you focus on their stars, the margins are important. We lost a lead in the transition, some offensive rebounds and then we got great looks the entire night, just didn’t make them.”

The Celtics shot 41.2% from the field and 29.3% from threes in their defeat against the Warriors. Derrick White was their best player with 30 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.

Tatum had a horrible outing as he sprained his ankle in the first quarter. He went for 5-for-17 from the field and registered only 15 points. Meanwhile, Brown went 10-for-22 from the floor and contributed 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

It was a tough loss for the Boston Celtics and their fans as they had flashbacks from their 2022 NBA Finals. It was a tough pill to swallow for the Celtics considering how the Warriors have not been at their best this season.