Boston Celtics swat pesky Charlotte Hornets to win 113-102 (PHOTOS)

The Boston Celtics took an early punch well from the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday (April 7) evening, but saw themselves playing from behind for much of the middle of their eventual 113-102 win over the Hornets. The Celtics did not get control of the game until the final frame of the contest, the Celtics locking in with enough time to win a hardfought victory over the ball club that had handed them their worst loss of the season in their penultimate tilt.

Boston actually lost the shot margin 88-87 in this one, but with Charlotte coach Charles Lee cribbing much of the Celtics’ offensive style, that is not a huge surprise. But Boston holding the Hornets to 43 percent from the field and 33 percent from beyond the arc likely secured the win given the shot margin, and winning the battle of the boards 45 to 40 certainly did not hurt.

Let’s take a look at the best plays from the Celtics win captured in images below.

Apr 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) drives the ball to the basket against Boston Celtics guard Jordan Walsh (27) in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Apr 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla with guard Derrick White (9) from the sideline as they take on the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Apr 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) returns the ball against Charlotte Hornets guard Sion James (4) in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Apr 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (24) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Apr 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel (7) drives the ball against Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Apr 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (24) drives the ball against Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Apr 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams (2) returns to the bench during a break against the Boston Celtics in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Apr 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) drives the ball against Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Apr 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams (2) and Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) meet after the game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Apr 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams (2) and Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) meet after the game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images