The Boston Celtics began 2025 with an elite performance against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night.

Boston found itself shorthanded again with starters Jaylen Brown (right shoulder strain) and Kristaps Porzingis (left ankle sprain) both sidelined. This was the 15th straight game in which the Celtics’ top eight rotation players were not healthy, a stretch dating back to Nov. 29.

Still, the ongoing health battle wasn’t enough to bring down the Celtics, now 25-9 on the season, at Target Center.

Here are three guys and three duds from Boston’s 118-115 win over Minnesota:

SUPPORT
Jayson Tatum
The Celtics knew they had to rely on Tatum to overcome Minnesota’s trio of Edwards, Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert.

Tatum followed suit without his co-star Brown. The 26-year-old scored 16 points in the third quarter before finishing the night with a league-leading 33 points. Tatum’s eight rebounds and nine assists made him a five-time All-Star Only close to a triple-double, but the addition of three steals gave the performance an MVP-caliber stamp.

Boston’s defense in the second quarter
After the Timberwolves outscored the Celtics 35-28 in the first quarter, Minnesota seemed destined for a strong offensive show.

In the second quarter, however, Boston pulled the rug out from under Minnesota. The Celtics held the Timberwolves to 16 points on 4 of 17 shooting from the field, including going 1 of 8 from 3-point territory. Boston scored 34 points from the field, knocked down seven three-pointers, outscored Minnesota 12-8 and set the tone for the second half by quickly putting the first quarter to rest.

Derrick White
Boston needed a co-star and that’s where White came into play.

The All-Star candidate came through and followed in Tatum’s footsteps by scoring 26 points on 10 of 20 shooting with two rebounds, two assists and two blocks. White’s highlight came in the fourth quarter when the 30-year-old hit a three-pointer against Randle to give the Celtics a 118-110 lead with 2:08 left.

White scored 13 points in the fourth quarter alone.

Idiots
Anthony Edwards
Minnesota didn’t get much from Edwards.

The two-time All-Star was supposed to face Tatum, but instead Edwards was an offensive liability for the Timberwolves. Edwards shot 5 of 15 from the floor, missed 6 of 8 three-pointers, scored 15 points and committed two turnovers. This poor performance hampered Minnesota all night long.

Edwards, with a chance to send the game into overtime, missed the equalizer on Minnesota’s final possession.

Minnesota’s discipline
The Timberwolves have hardly done themselves any favors.

Minnesota’s ball protection, or lack thereof, gave the Celtics an unwanted boost. Boston forced the Timberwolves into 16 turnovers – the Celtics committed three – which led to Minnesota giving up 22 points. That was perhaps the biggest difference that helped Boston make it light Edge needed to escape the exciting fight.

Al Horford
Horford struggled to get on offense and couldn’t find his touch.

The 38-year-old scored nine points on 4 of 8 shooting, including 1 of 5 from three, and collected five rebounds in 35 minutes. Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta, who combined for 15 points off the bench, made up for Horford’s cold night and ensured Boston didn’t pay a heavy price.