Celtics vs. Nets Game 1: Jayson Tatum's game-winning buzzer-beater gives Celtics Game 1 win over Nets

Kyle Irving

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Celtics vs. Nets Game 1: Jayson Tatum's game-winning buzzer-beater gives Celtics Game 1 win over Nets image

What a game.

The Boston Celtics nearly let a large lead slip away as Kyrie Irving started to take over Game 1 in the fourth quarter. Irving poured in 18 of his 39 points in the final frame alone, giving the Brooklyn Nets a one-point lead with under 15 seconds remaining.

The Nets looked like they were going to take Game 1 on the road and stun Boston's home crowd until Jayson Tatum hit an acrobatic layup as time expired to win the game for the Celtics.

Tatum was phenomenal, going for 31 points and eight assists while keeping Kevin Durant in check, holding him to 23 points on 24 shots.

For more on this back-and-forth slugfest, we had you covered with live updates, highlights and more throughout the game.

MORE: Watch the NBA playoffs on Sling TV (U.S. only)

Celtics vs. Nets Game 1: Live score, updates and highlights

Final: Celtics 115, Nets 114

6:11 p.m.: JAYSON TATUM FOR THE WIN. With the Celtics trailing by one point with 15 seconds on the clock, Tatum came up with a clutch stop on Kevin Durant. After a chaotic possession with a handful of extra passes from the Celtics, Marcus Smart found Tatum cutting to the basket for the game-winning layup.

6:04 p.m.: Kyrie Irving is putting on a clinic. With the game tied at 111, Kyrie Irving buried a 3-pointer to give the Nets a 114-111 lead with 45 seconds to play in the game.

5:58 p.m.: In the blink of an eye, we're all tied up again. Marcus Smart had a strong take to the bucket for a layup to tie the game at 107-107 with under three minutes remaining. We're in for a photo finish.

5:50 p.m.: Kyrie Irving is unstoppable. He drilled another 3-pointer and the TD Garden is silent. Irving is up to 34 points on the night and he's single-handedly outscoring the Celtics 13-6 in the fourth quarter. The Nets lead the Celtics 107-102 with 4:36 remaining.

5:45 p.m.: And just like that, the Nets have the lead. Kyrie Irving found Kevin Durant on an open 3 to give Brooklyn a 100-98 lead with 7:31 to play in the fourth quarter. Irving has been nothing short of incredible in this one, tallying 31 points, six assists and four steals.

5:35 p.m.: Kyrie Irving is keeping the Nets alive. With Kevin Durant on the bench to start the fourth quarter, the star guard stepped up and buried back-to-back 3s to cut Brooklyn's deficit to just three points. The Nets trail 98-95 with 9:51 remaining in the game.

End of third quarter: Celtics 96, Nets 85

5:28 p.m.: The Nets cut it as close as six points but a late spark from the Celtics pushed the lead back up to 11 by the end of the quarter. A huge chasedown block from Jaylen Brown and a 3-ball from Jayson Tatum sent the TD Garden into a frenzy.

Tatum is up to 27 points and eight assists to lead Boston. Kyrie Irving has 21 points to lead the Nets, while Kevin Durant has chipped in 18 points.

5:21 p.m.: The Nets continue to keep this game within reach, trailing 91-84 with under two minutes to play in the quarter. Kyrie Irving buried a contested jumper in Jaylen Brown's face then had a little gesture for the Celtics' fans.

5:15 p.m.: It's been all Celtics in the third quarter and Marcus Smart is leading the charge. He's up to 18 points with four 3-pointers while doing all the things we're used to seeing from Smart on the defensive end. While Boston holds a lead, it can't get comfortable. Kevin Durant is quietly starting to find his groove, making four of his first seven shots this half. The Celtics lead the Nets 87-78 with 4:08 to play in the third.

5:04 p.m.: Marcus Smart is making things happen. The Celtics guard stole an inbounds pass picking up full court and finished with a vicious slam, then buried a 3-pointer to cap off a 9-0 run. The Celtics lead the Nets 72-63 with nine minutes remaining in the quarter.

Halftime: Celtics 61, Nets 61

4:48 p.m.: After two quarters, we're all square at 61-61. Both teams started to get comfortable in the second frame, overcoming a foul-riddled first quarter. Jayson Tatum played a complete first half, going for 15 points and seven assists while holding Kevin Durant to just seven points. Kyrie Irving is leading the way for Brooklyn, scoring 15 points.

The Nets have 12 turnovers and Durant is shooting just 2-for-10 from the field, yet they're tied with the Celtics at the break. We have a good second half ahead of us.

4:47 p.m.: You need to see this bounce pass from Kyrie Irving. In-air, one-handed with a little bit of spin to get it to Patty Mills for a corner 3. A thing of beauty.

4:36 p.m.: The lids are starting to come off the rim. Kevin Durant knocked down a tough pull-up jumper and a few possessions later, Jayson Tatum answered. The Celtics lead the Nets 53-49 with 2:51 remaining in the half.

4:29 p.m.: Kyrie Irving is starting to get going. The All-Star guard is up to 13 points with a pair of 3s. He's done the majority of his damage at the free throw line, shooting 7-for-7 from the stripe. The Nets lead the Celtics 44-42 with six minutes remaining in the half.

End of first quarter: Celtics 29, Nets 28

4:16 p.m.: It was a hideous first quarter in Boston, as the two teams combined for more fouls (18) than made shots (17).

It was a quiet scoring frame for the stars of both teams, as Kevin Durant only had four points, Kyrie Irving had four points, Jayson Tatum had four points and Jaylen Brown had two points.

4:03 p.m.: The Celtics' defense is swarming the Nets, forcing seven turnovers in the first nine minutes of the game. The Nets are managing to hang tight despite their giveaways, as the score is knotted at 21-21 with 2:45 to play in the frame. Seth Curry has the hot hand for Brooklyn, yet to miss a shot with seven points.

3:53 p.m.: Things are already getting chippy. Both teams have players in foul trouble, as Celtics' Daniel Theis, Nets' Seth Curry and Bruce Brown each have two fouls apiece. The Celtics lead 11-10 with 6:25 remaining in the quarter.

3:47 p.m.: The Celtics are flying in transition as Marcus Smart finds Jaylen Brown for an easy bucket. The Nets are in early foul trouble, already putting Boston in the bonus. The Celtics lead 9-6 with eight minutes to play in the first.

Pregame

3:18 p.m.: The Nets will start Kyrie Irving, Seth Curry, Bruce Brown, Kevin Durant and Andre Drummond.

1:50 p.m.: The Celtics will start Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Daniel Theis and Al Horford.

1:49 p.m.: Although Celtics center Robert Williams III is progressing nicely after knee surgery, head coach Ime Udoka says the team is still planning on being without their rising star center for the entire series against the Nets.

What channel is Celtics vs. Nets on?

  • Date: Sunday, April 17
  • TV channel: ABC (U.S.), TSN 4/5 (CA)
  • Live streaming: Sling TV (U.S. only) | Watch ESPN | TSN Direct

In the United States, Celtics vs. Nets will be broadcast on ABC. In Canada, Celtics vs. Nets will be broadcast on TSN 4 and 5. Viewers in the United States can stream Celtics vs. Nets on Watch ESPN, the ESPN App or Sling TV.

Viewers in the U.S. can stream every NBA Playoff game live on SLING TV. With the SLING Orange Sports Extra package, get $10 off your first month now with access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT and NBATV.

NBA Playoff games on ABC are simulcast on ESPN3, which is included with SLING Orange, available for $35 per month including $25 the first month for new subscribers.

Viewers in Canada can stream Celtics vs. Nets on TSN Direct.

Celtics vs. Nets start time

  • Date: Sunday, April 17
  • Time: 3:30 p.m. ET | 12:30 p.m. PT

Celtics vs. Nets is scheduled to tip off shortly after 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 17. The game will be played at TD Garden in Boston.

Celtics vs. Nets schedule, TV channels

As the higher seed, Boston will be the home team in Games 1 and 2, while Brooklyn will host Games 3 and 4.

A potential Game 5 and 7 would also be played in Boston.

(All times Eastern)

Date Game Location Time National TV (US)
April 17 Game 1 TD Garden 3:30 p.m. ABC
April 20 Game 2 TD Garden 7 p.m. TNT
April 23 Game 3 Barclays Center TBD ESPN
April 25 Game 4 Barclays Center TBD TBD
April 27 Game 5* TD Garden TBD TBD
April 29 Game 6* Barclays Center TBD TBD
May 1 Game 7* TD Garden TBD TBD

*If necessary

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.