The Boston Celtics defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 109-98, at Barclays Center on Thursday night.

The Nets (27-14) came into the contest navigating some uncharted waters, as they were playing the first installment of what is expected to be a multi-week absence for Kevin Durant (knee). However, Brooklyn came out seemingly undeterred, taking a 31-29 lead through one before the Celtics (31-12) erased their deficit and took a three-point advantage into halftime. Boston still held a two-point edge going into the fourth quarter, and they closed out the victory by outscoring the Nets, 25-16, in the final 12 minutes.

Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double that included five assists and one block. Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon posted matching 16-point tallies, with Smart also recording 10 assists and six rebounds and Brogdon totaling five boards and two assists. Derrick White supplied 15 points, seven boards, one assist, one steal and one block. Grant Williams and Luke Kornet contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively, while dishing out five assists apiece. Williams also recorded three blocks.

Kyrie Irving paced the Nets with 24 points, complementing them with six assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block. T.J. Warren poured in 20 points. Joe Harris registered 18 points, five rebounds, one assist and two steals. Royce O'Neale turned in 11 points, six boards, two assists, two steals and two blocks. Seth Curry matched O'Neale's scoring and added one assist.

The Celtics remain on the road and visit the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night, while the Nets remain home and host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday evening.