The Boston Celtics travelled up north for a Sunday evening game against the Toronto Raptors. Heading into the game, the Celtics are riding a four-game win streak, while the Raptors have lost two in a row. That said, Toronto has enjoyed a very successful start to the season and is currently sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference, while the Celtics are in fourth.
A win for Boston would put them half a game up on the Raptors, securing their spot in third in the East. The Celtics have been on fire lately, taking down a bunch of the top Eastern Conference teams.
No matter what way it’s spun, Sunday’s game will be an important one, and all updates can be found here.
Jaylen Brown, Derrick White on fire – Score: 77-59 Celtics, Half-time
Boston has blown this game wide open. Their three-point shooting has completely taken over, and the Raptors can’t seem to figure out how to slow them down. Jaylen Brown and Derrick White combined to score 33 first-half points, and Boston has found contributions elsewhere, too.
Neemias Queta has been a monster in the paint, Sam Hauser is shooting the ball well and playing great defense, and Jordan Walsh is continuing his stretch of elite play on both ends of the court.
The Raptors just can’t keep up with the Celtics.
Celtics are dominating Raptors – Score: 65-49 Celtics, 3:44 left in second quarter
Transition buckets, threes, and defensive stops: The Raptors cannot keep up with the Celtics right now. Everything Boston touches turns to gold, and Toronto looks like its running in mud.
Jaylen Brown looks like an MVP candidate, and Neemias Queta and Sam Hauser have filled in the gaps around him. It’s been all Celtics.
Jordan Walsh is absolutely dominating – Score: 55-45 Celtics, 6:22 left in second quarter
Jordan Walsh has been incredible. Defensive plays, smart passes, and a monster put-back slam (as evidenced below). Unfortunately, three quick fouls forced Joe Mazzulla to pull him from the game, but luckily, Hugo Gonzalez came in and picked up where Walsh left off.
Gonzalez made his first three, then drove a close-out from the corner for a dunk. He’s brought some great energy to the Celtics’ lineup.
Sundays are for the slams 💪 pic.twitter.com/RdCVXalaOg
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 7, 2025
Toronto has had no answer for Boston’s offensive attack thus far, and their drop coverage has been absolutely obliterated.
Defensive mistakes have helped Raptors – Score: 41-35 Celtics, 9:38 left in second quarter
The Celtics have allowed the Raptors to chip away at their lead a bit as a result of some defensive breakdowns. Scottie Barnes has bullied Josh Minott in the paint, and Anfernee Simons missed a defensive rotation that cost Boston a bucket.
WOAHHH 🤯 pic.twitter.com/HptfGcQ84q
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 7, 2025
Minott and Jordan Walsh messing up a switch on Barnes led to an open AJ Lawson three in the corner, which made Joe Mazzulla to call a timeout.
Celtics vs. Raptors score: 34-26 Celtics, end of first quarter
Derrick White’s hot start contnued as he led the Celtics to a 34-point first quarter with his 14-point solo effort. Jaylen Brown’s passing was impressive, too, but the real star of the show was Boston’s defense.
The Celtics racked up nine stocks in the quarter, grabbing four steals and blocking five shots. They completely hounded the Raptors on that side of the ball, highlighted by impressive plays from Sam Hauser and Jordan Walsh.
Celtics vs. Raptors score: 26-16 Celtics, 3:40 left in first quarter
The Celtics’ red-hot shooting has continued, led by Derrick White, who has jumped out to a 3-of-5 start from long range. Jaylen Brown’s playmaking has been crucial for Boston, and though the Raptors have broken their offensive slump, they haven’t been able to slow down the Celtics.
Joe Mazzulla took a timeout to challenge a charge call that went against White, arguing that it should have been a push on Jamal Shead. However, Boston lost the challenge, and the call stood.
Off to a HOT start 🔥 pic.twitter.com/MhRLBpt6HM
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 7, 2025Celtics vs. Raptors score: 10-3 Celtics, 8:32 left in first quarter
Toronto called the first timeout of the game with 8:32 remaining in the first quarter.
A messy start to the game was broken up by five straight points from Derrick White, who nailed a two and then a three thanks to some nice screening by Neemias Queta and Jaylen Brown’s playmaking.
Speaking of, Brown’s offensive creation has spearheaded Boston’s early lead, as he’s gotten his teammates plenty of open looks. Jordan Walsh nailed a three in the corner, and even though he missed a layup in transition, Brown was there to clean it up for the put-back.
Boston up 10-3 early.
Celtics announce starting lineup vs. Raptors
The Celtics will be rolling out a starting lineup of Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jordan Walsh, and Neemias Queta against the Raptors. It’s become Joe Mazzulla’s go-to starting five, coinciding with the emergence of Walsh as one of the most winning players around the NBA.
Tonight’s Starting 5️⃣@DraftKings pic.twitter.com/TtbKwTmf9U
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 7, 2025
Walsh’s defense against some of the top stars around the league has spearheaded his glow-up, and his efficiency has helped him remain toward the top of Boston’s rotation.
The Raptors started Immanuel Quickley, Ja’Kobe Walter, Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, and Jakob Poeltl. RJ Barrett is out due to a knee issue, so Walter replaced him in the starting lineup.