Short-handed Celtics rally behind rookie’s career-high in win over Nets

His breakout performance comes just less than two weeks after he scored 15 points in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers on March 6. However, consistent playing time has been scarce for the rookie, a reality for young players on a title-contending team.

While Scheierman’s scoring outburst made headlines, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was more impressed by his overall impact.

"The 3s are a plus. To me it was the defensive effort and the offensive rebounding and the toughness that he played with," Mazzulla said postgame, via ESPN.

Boston’s frontcourt also delivered, with Kristaps Porzingis leading the way with 25 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks. Derrick White chipped in 18 points, while Jrue Holiday added 12 points and eight assists. Payton Pritchard contributed 10 points, knocking down three shots from beyond the arc.

For Brooklyn, D’Angelo Russell led the offense with 18 points, followed by Ziaire Williams with 15 and Keon Johnson with 13. But the night belonged to Scheierman, who drilled three of his six three-pointers in the final period before exiting to a standing ovation. 

His late-game heroics helped Boston secure its 50th win of the season and extend its winning streak to three games. The Celtics remain second in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the high-flying Cleveland Cavaliers.

The victory marked Boston’s ninth consecutive regular-season win over Brooklyn, as the Nets fell to 23-46, sitting third from the bottom in the East. With the playoffs out of reach, they now turn their focus to securing a valuable pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Scheierman’s rise comes after spending much of his rookie season in the G League with the Maine Celtics. In 25 games, he has averaged 19.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 37.7 percent from three-point range. His latest performance suggests he could have a larger role for Boston as the postseason approaches.