Clippers news: Brandon Boston reveals what Marcus Smart, Celtics did to inspire career-night

With Paul George out, the Clippers needed a scoring boost against Marcus Smart and the Boston Celtics. Enter Brandon Boston.

LOS ANGELES — With Paul George out for the second time in a week, the Los Angeles Clippers desperately needed a scoring boost for their showdown with Marcus Smart and the Boston Celtics. Enter Brandon Boston.

Boston, who just turned 20 years of age in late November, came off the Clippers' bench and led the way thanks to a blistering shooting night. The rookie finished with career highs in points (27), steals (4) and 3-pointers (5) in a single game.

“Great performance,” Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said of Brandon Boston. “Offensively, we know he can score the basketball and he gave us a big lift, scoring the ball tonight. But like you said defensively, getting some deflections, getting some steals, playing on the backside of the zone and he was huge, getting out in transition. So he played really well.”

With Nicolas Batum's return as well as Paul George being a late scratch due to an elbow contusion, the Clippers were forced to start their sixth different starting lineup in the last seven games. Boston didn't start, but came off the bench and provided a much-needed scoring boost.

It's also not like the Celtics weren't prepared for him either.

“We talked about this kid, specifically him,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka said after the team's loss to the Clippers. “Boston. We talked about him scoring 43 recently in the G League and his minutes have gone up, up, up. Felt like we were surprised by him and we specifically talked about him. Just like I mentioned, KYP, knowing your personnel, know who’s playing. This kid’s getting a lot of run, especially with Paul George and some guys out, so that’s disappointing there.”

“Mr. 46,” as the Celtics players seemed to call him, burned them all night from all areas on the court. The deflections and defense he showed were a bonus from the young Clippers forward.

An all-around career night for @bboston_!

Brandon Boston Jr. sets career-highs with 27 PTS, 4 STL and 5 3PM to lead the way for the @LAClippers! #NBARooks pic.twitter.com/5bPpygJo2b

— NBA (@NBA) December 9, 2021

“I forget what they said, but they were talking crazy before I even caught the ball,” Brandon Boston said. “As I went up, they say, ‘Oh, he’s Mr. 46.' That’s what I heard.”

There was even one moment went Brandon Boston scored on Marcus Smart and earned a technical foul for yelling in his direction after.

“I just went at Marcus Smart. You know, got the bucket, and then I just started going at him. Just tell him I’m here, just letting him know that my presence is felt. And that I’m not laying back for nobody.”

. @FlyByKnite – "You hit a corner 3 and turned to the Celtics bench to say something. What did they say?

Brandon Boston: "As it went up, they were like, 'Oh he's Mr. 46.' That's what I heard… I'm gonna run with [the nickname]. pic.twitter.com/tkNZfYaAuy

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) December 9, 2021

Dennis Schroder and the Celtics praised the youngster's poise and readiness postgame.

“He went off,” Schroder said. “Credit to him. I heard he scored 46 points in a G League game. We gotta respect everybody. At the end of the day, he came in and busted our ass. I don’t know how many points he had, but over 20. He won them the ball game.”

The Clippers will finally have two days off to rest before taking on the Orlando Magic Saturday afternoon at Staples Center. With a practice expected for Friday, it'll give Paul George a few days to rest his elbow ahead of Saturday.