Following the blockbuster trades that sent Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks, respectively, the Brooklyn Nets have had their fair share of struggles integrating a bunch of new faces, such as Mikal Bridges and Spencer Dinwiddie into one cohesive unit. And on Friday night, it seemed like the Nets were on track to suffer yet another blowout defeat, this time at the hands of the Boston Celtics. Following a Jaylen Brown layup at the 7:23 mark of the second quarter, the Celtics took a 51-23 lead, and it looked like the Nets were dead in the water.

However, the Nets hunkered down defensively, and they ended up cutting the deficit to nine (64-55) at the stroke of halftime. With the momentum in the Nets' side, the Celtics couldn't seem to stem the tide. The Nets took the lead at the 6:41 mark of the third period, and they have not looked back since, winning 115-105 in the end – a remarkable 38-point turnaround.

This Celtics collapse prompted an understandable meltdown from its loyal fanbase as they couldn't fathom how a team with a pronounced continuity advantage over a new-look Nets team could manage to blow such a huge lead.

Fans argued that the Celtics won't be able to cement themselves as legitimate title contenders if they allow these kinds of meltdowns to other above .500 teams, especially if it includes lackadaisical effort on the glass.

Article Continues Below
More Boston Celtics News
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (middle left) and forward Tari Eason (middle right) hold towels on their faces during game seven of the first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center.
NBA rumors: Rockets ‘anticipating’ Celtics trade talksDavid Yapkowitz ·
image thumbnail
Celtics rumors: Will Boston target rising center prospect in NBA Draft?Owen Crisafulli ·
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) and center Al Horford (42) and guard Jrue Holiday (4) react in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks during game one of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden.
NBA rumors: Insider suggests Knicks could steal Celtics veteranMalik Brown ·
image thumbnail
Celtics legend Paul Pierce gets last laugh with Knicks callout after ECF lossOwen Crisafulli ·
image thumbnail
Clippers trade proposal lands Jrue Holiday from CelticsJedd Pagaduan ·
Cavaliers' guard Darius Garland with Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle - NBA trade rumors and scenarios
Timberwolves’ Darius Garland trade headlines 4 intriguing scenarios before NBA DraftBrett Siegel ·

Meanwhile, some couldn't believe the Celtics' luck, or lack thereof, as their struggles continued to snowball with the Nets putting their feet down Boston's throat.

On the other hand, the hope some fans have is that this loss would prove to be a catalyst for a shift in the Celtics' mindset. Ardent supporters of the team believe that this crushing defeat would motivate the Celtics to get their act together.

The Celtics' latest loss knocks them down to 45-19, putting them one game behind the Milwaukee Bucks in the standings. Despite the heartbreaking nature of this defeat, the Celtics still have 18 games to figure things out. However, if this level of play carries over, the Celtics may have no choice but to kiss the one-seed goodbye, especially with the Bucks steamrolling the opposition at the moment.