Sports · October 28, 2026

Celtics Beat Nets 125-124 in OT on Jayson Tatum's Buzzer-Beater

Brooklyn nearly claimed its first win, but Boston had the ball—and Jayson Tatum—at the final buzzer.

By NewsTrendus Editorial Desk · October 28, 2026 · Independently written from credited sources · Representative editorial photograph

Representative licensed photograph of an indoor basketball hoop; not Jayson Tatum, the Celtics or the Nets game

Representative licensed photograph, not the reported event or people. Photo: Engin Akyurt / Pexels (Pexels free-use license).

At a glance: Celtics beat Nets 125-124 in overtime Oct. 27, 2026. Jayson Tatum scored 40 and hit the winning jumper after Mikel Brown Jr. forced OT.

Who won the Celtics vs. Nets game?

The Boston Celtics defeated the Brooklyn Nets 125-124 in overtime on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Jayson Tatum scored 40 points and hit a jumper as the overtime clock expired, turning a one-point Brooklyn lead into a dramatic home victory. The NBA published video of the decisive shot, providing direct confirmation of the finish.

Boston improved to 3-1 with a third consecutive win. Brooklyn dropped to 0-4 despite coming within one defensive possession of its first victory. That makes the score more than a routine early-season result: the Nets forced overtime and led in the final seconds, but could not complete the upset.

How Tatum's winning shot unfolded

Brooklyn was ahead 124-123 in overtime when Boston gained possession with 2.3 seconds remaining. Tatum received the ball and converted a midrange jumper at the buzzer. The NBA's official highlight shows the winning attempt.

The shot capped a night in which Tatum was productive both from the field and at the foul line. He made 10 of 20 field-goal attempts and 18 of 22 free throws, the latter a career high according to Reuters. The free throws were important: Boston's three-point shooting was poor early, so points from the line kept the Celtics close enough to recover.

Why Brooklyn was so close to winning

The Nets led 61-56 at halftime and repeatedly challenged Boston late. Rookie Mikel Brown Jr. made a tying three-pointer in the final moments of regulation to force overtime. In the extra period, Brooklyn moved ahead again, only for a missed late layup to give Boston one last possession.

Michael Porter Jr. delivered 27 points and 12 rebounds for Brooklyn. Julius Randle added 24. Brown finished with 17 points and provided the crucial regulation basket. The rookie's final missed chance will draw attention, but reducing a one-point overtime loss to one player would ignore the many possessions that made the game competitive.

Boston's comeback and the supporting cast

The Celtics were only 2-for-16 from three-point range in the first half, according to the Associated Press recap. They improved after halftime, including an eight-three-pointer third quarter reported in local coverage. Paul George scored 20 points, and Derrick White added 16, giving Boston enough secondary offense to survive its uneven shooting.

Boston's comeback was a mix of persistence and timing. The team did not dominate the entire game; it simply produced enough offense to stay within reach and trusted its leading scorer on the final play. The overtime finish is a reminder that a narrow scoreline can contain both impressive individual execution and avoidable late-game mistakes.

What comes next?

Brooklyn was scheduled to host Detroit on Friday, while Boston was set to host Chicago in NBA Cup group play. Fans can confirm the latest game information and injuries through the official NBA schedule. This article reports the completed October 27 game and should not be read as a live game tracker.

Sources and verification

This original NewsTrendus article draws on the linked primary records and independent reporting below. The photograph is illustrative, not an image of the reported event. Facts checked October 28, 2026; later developments may require an update.

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