The Celtics polarizing 2020-2021 season came to an end Tuesday night, with a 123-109 loss in Game 5 to the Brooklyn Nets. This marks the first time the Celtics have been eliminated in the first round since the 2015-2016 season.

It was an uphill battle for the Celtics from the beginning – the team was without both Kemba Walker and Robert Williams for the second straight game. Despite keeping things close through three quarters, the Nets superstars ended up being the difference late.

For most of the first quarter, the Celtics held a slight lead. Unlike previous games, where Jayson Tatum was the focal point, Boston used a balance scoring attack to keep the Nets off guard.

With about four minutes to go in the first, Brooklyn’s offense started to click. They ended the quarter on an 11-5 run, and led 31-24 after one.

Early in the second quarter, the Nets were able to extend their lead while Tatum was on the bench, having his knee looked at by the Celtics training staff. Tatum would return to the game and prevent the Nets from pulling away, but Brooklyn still took a 59-51 lead into the half.

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  Brooklyn maintained its lead throughout the third quarter, although there were a couple of opportunities for the Celtics to take control back. That was due in large part to Tatum, who had nine points in the frame, including a buzzer beater that cut it to 86-79 heading into the fourth.
  
  The Nets quickly went from up seven to up 17 early in the fourth, with 12 straight points from their big three. Brooklyn never looked back, clinching the game and the series.
  
  Despite dealing with an apparent injury, Tatum still led the Celtics in scoring. He finished with 32 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in 41 minutes. No other Celtics player scored more than 20 - Evan Fournier was the next closest with 18 points, followed by Romeo Langford with 17 and Marcus Smart with 14. 
  
  In a year in which they lived and died by the three-point shot, the Celtics finished their final game shooting 11-of-40 from deep. The starting five alone were a combined 9-of-33.
  
  For Brooklyn, their big three did most of the heavy lifting yet again. James Harden scored a game-high 34 points, with 10 rebounds and 10 assists rounding out his triple-double. Kyrie Irving finished with 25 points, Kevin Durant with 24.

Click here for 98.5 The Sports Hub’s complete coverage of the Celtics.

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

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