Celtics Fall to Grizzlies in Marcus Smart’s Return to Boston

Boston’s defending champions show resilience despite fatigue, defensive adjustments, and an exceptional Memphis performance.

The Celtics lost 127-121 to the Memphis Grizzlies in a game marked by Marcus Smart’s first return to Boston as an opponent after his trade in 2023.
Despite the loss, Boston displayed championship-level resilience, nearly overcoming a chaotic game with injuries, fatigue, and uncharacteristic shooting struggles from key players like Jrue Holiday and Jayson Tatum.
Memphis capitalized on unexpected offensive performances, including strong 3-point shooting from Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., who had struggled from deep prior to this game.
Coach Joe Mazzulla faced challenges in defensive adjustments, as the Grizzlies exploited Boston’s emphasis on rim protection to excel from beyond the arc, shooting 45.5% on 3-pointers.
The Celtics, playing their fifth game in seven days, now enter a lighter schedule with two games over the next 11 days, providing an opportunity to regroup and address defensive vulnerabilities.