Isaiah Thomas sat out this game due to what’s said to be a minor injury. So the Celtics were without their key offensive weapon in this matchup against the struggling Brooklyn Nets.
Marcus Smart got the start in place of Thomas with Stevens likely hoping that Smart’s defensive intensity could help make up for the lack of Thomas’ offensive output.
Unsurprisingly the Celtics got off to a cold start on offense but perhaps equally unsurprisingly the Nets were even colder. After both teams struggled to find their shot in the first 12 minutes of play a low scoring first quarter ended with the Celtics in front 21-16.