“I feel like teams want it more than us.”
Jordan Walsh blocks a shot by Cavaliers’ Jaylon Tyson as Xavier Tillman assists during the first half of the Celtics’ Nov. 30 win. AP Photo/Phil Long
December 1, 2025 | 11:02 AM
2 minutes to read
Jaylon Tyson’s comments after Celtics’ win: The Celtics were shorthanded on Sunday, playing without Derrick White and Neemias Queta (both given a rest), but still managed to get a win against the favored Cavaliers, 117-114.
Despite also missing superstar Jayson Tatum (who remains out as he rehabs his ruptured Achilles tendon), Boston (11-9) is now just a half game behind Cleveland (12-9).
Though the Cavaliers mounted a furious rally, the Celtics held on for an important win against a quality opponent. The defeat left Cleveland’s Jaylon Tyson upset, to the point that he publicly criticized his team’s own effort.
“I feel like teams want it more than us,” he admitted via NBA reporter Tony Pesta. “There’s a target on a lot of our guys’ backs, and it’s everyone’s job to say, ‘You want to come at us, let’s go.’”
Tyson, 22, is in his second season with the Cavaliers. The former first-round pick has become more of a starter in 2025, and posted 17 points in 34 minutes against Boston.
“We’re not hungry enough,” Tyson bluntly declared. “What happened to us last year it’s a similar thing that’s happening this year; it’s a common theme, ultimately, it’s on us to fix it. The young guys, the role players, it shouldn’t be us having to bring energy every time, right? Everyone has to bring energy, everyone has to pour into this thing.”
The Cavaliers will have a quick chance to rebound, facing the struggling Pacers on Monday in Indiana. The Celtics, meanwhile, won’t play Cleveland again in the NBA regular season until March.
Trivia: Jaylon Tyson was a Cavaliers first-round pick in 2024. Who did the Celtics take in that round?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He was drafted out of Creighton.
Scores and schedules:
The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 117-114. Boston will host the Knicks on Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Tonight, the Patriots face the Giants at Gillette Stadium at 8:15 p.m.
Tomorrow, the Bruins face the Red Wings in Detroit at 7 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
Celtics highlights: Payton Pritchard erupted for 42 points, while Jaylen Brown totaled a triple-double in the win vs. Cleveland.
On this day: In 1956, Bill Russell led Team USA to Olympic gold in Melbourne, Australia, defeating the Soviet Union 89-55 in the final. Russell, who had been a top pick by the Celtics earlier in the year, would make his belated NBA debut for Boston later in December with the Olympics now out of the way.
Daily highlight: Though the Broncos eventually won the game, Washington wide receiver Treylon Burks made one of the catches of the year (or any year) in the back corner of the end zone.
Trivia answer: Baylor Scheierman
Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.
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