The Boston Celtics played their first game since an eventful All-Star break, and routed the new-look Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night. Gordon Hayward led the way with 29 points, ending the game 127-117. Consequently, Hayward and teammates Daniel Theis, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum made history as the first time four starters to have scored 25+ points since 2006.

Theis recorded a career-high 25 points, in addition to 16 rebounds. Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown stayed consistent with 25 points, while first-time All-Star Jayson Tatum continued his stellar season with 28 points and 11 rebounds. The last players to achieve such feat in a game was Jamal Crawford, Eddy Curry, Channing Frye, and Stephon Marbury in 2006 for the New York Knicks.

Boston further looked like a well-oiled machine with Marcus Smart stepping in for the injured All-Star Kemba Walker. Smart meshed well with the starting lineup as the primary point guard and set a season-high 10 assists.

On the other end, Malik Beasley led Minnesota with 27 points, while new starting point guard D’Angelo Russell put up 18 points and a season-high 13 assists. However, Timberwolves’ star center Karl-Anthony Towns sat out with a broken wrist.

With their starters continuing to impress, the Celtics have now won nine out of their last ten games. They currently sit third in the Eastern Conference, only 1.5 games behind the defending NBA champions Toronto Raptors. This will prove a difficult leap, with Toronto also stacking wins with a recent 15-game winning streak. However, with All-Stars Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum leading and Gordon Hayward getting back into All-Star shape, Boston might just be able to do it.