Last-second 3-pointer sinks tired Celtics in road loss to Bulls

Zack Cox, Boston Herald on Jan 24, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

On Friday, a last-second 3-pointer from the left corner helped lift the Boston Celtics to a dramatic win in Brooklyn.

One night later, a shot from the same spot handed them a loss in Chicago.

Bulls wing Kevin Huerter’s corner 3 with 0.2 seconds remaining buried a tired Boston squad in a 114-111 victory at the United Center. It was the last of 21 made treys in the game for Chicago, which shot 47% from beyond the arc.

Jaylen Brown, who showed no signs of fatigue after playing 46 minutes in the double-overtime win over the Nets, tied the game with a coast-to-coast layup with 14.5 seconds to play. But the Celtics’ defense, after holding Chicago scoreless for the previous three-plus minutes, cracked on the ensuing possession, granting Huerter an open look.

Brown finished with a game-high 33 points, eight rebounds and five assists in 37 minutes. Anfernee Simons scored 21 points off the bench on 8-of-16 shooting and added two steals. Derrick White, who sat out Friday’s game for rest purposes, had 15-7-7 but couldn’t shake his monthlong shooting slump, going 5 for 18 from the field and 3 for 11 from 3.

As a team, Boston shot just 32% from deep.

After playing six of their last seven on the road, the 28-14 Celtics will open a four-game homestand Monday night against the Portland Trail Blazers. It will be the first game back at TD Garden for 2024 champion Jrue Holiday. Kristaps Porzingis, now with the Atlanta Hawks, is scheduled to make his return to Causeway Street on Wednesday.

The Celtics trotted out a new starting lineup, giving Amari Williams the nod for the first time in his career. Usual starting center Neemias Queta was active after being listed as probable with an illness, but head coach Joe Mazzulla rolled with the rookie, whose clutch plays in overtime Friday night helped Boston put away the Nets. Williams was the 12th different Celtic to start a game this season.

Luka Garza was Boston’s first frontcourt sub, suggesting the team might have been hoping to give Queta a night off. But Garza tweaked his ankle shortly after checking in, and Queta replaced him.

Garza later returned, and the Celtics resumed their standard center rotation for the remainder of the first half, cycling between him and Queta.

Boston led 58-52 at halftime thanks to 20 points from Brown on 8-of-14 shooting. Anfernee Simons scored 12 before halftime, and Jordan Walsh helped fuel a second-quarter push by hitting a corner 3 and turning a pinpoint Derrick White outlet pass into an open dunk.

The Celtics shot just 29% from 3-point range in the first half (7 for 24) but benefited from better ball security. They swiped six first-half steals — including two by Queta in transition — to Chicago’s zero and owned an 8-0 edge in points off turnovers.

The Bulls then opened the third quarter with a 7-0 run against a sluggish Celtics defense, successfully targeting Queta on three straight possessions. Coby White and Isaac Okoro combined for 24 third-quarter points for Chicago as the hosts built an eight-point lead.

Simons erased that deficit with two 3-pointers, sandwiched around a second-chance Williams dunk, as part of an 8-0 Celtics run that tied it at 88-88 early in the fourth quarter.

White then took the controls of Boston’s offense, even in another subpar shooting night. The veteran guard hit two fourth-quarter 3s, drew a shooting foul and scored or assisted on six consecutive Celtics field goals.

Those kept the Celtics within striking distance amid a deluge of 3-pointers from the hot-shooting Bulls, who made their first six of the final quarter. When Chicago finally cooled, Boston capitalized, pulling even in the final minute on Brown’s fast-break layup.

That’s when Huerter shut the door on the Celtics, winning the game with a shot reminiscent of the one Hugo Gonzalez hit to force a second overtime 24 hours earlier.

____