The Boston Celtics beat the Brooklyn Nets 125-124 in overtime on Tuesday night at TD Garden, and Jayson Tatum ended it with the kind of shot that defines a season. Boston trailed 124-123 when it took possession with 2.3 seconds left in overtime, and Tatum buried a 17-foot elbow jumper as time expired.

Tatum finished with 40 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds, and his 18 free throws on 22 attempts set a career high for makes from the line. He played 42 minutes and shot 10-for-20 from the field, and Paul George backed him with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Derrick White added 16 points for Boston, which has now won three games in a row and sits at 3-1.

Brooklyn forced overtime the hard way. The Nets trailed late in regulation before rookie Mikel Brown Jr. hit a three-pointer in the final second to send the game to overtime, and Julius Randle scored the first two baskets of the extra period to give Brooklyn a 121-117 lead. Randle finished with 24 points and 9 rebounds before fouling out, and Michael Porter Jr. led the Nets with 27 points and 12 rebounds.

The final sequence turned on one missed chance. Brown missed a layup with 2.3 seconds left in overtime, Boston rebounded, and the ball found Tatum with the game on the line. Brown finished with 17 points in a breakout night that ended in heartbreak, and Brooklyn fell to 0-4.

Boston nearly lost it earlier. Mitchell Robinson missed two free throws with three seconds left in regulation, which left the door open for Brown's tying three. The Celtics also started cold from deep, making just 2 of 16 three-point attempts in the first half, before finding their range after halftime.

The win keeps Boston rolling after its season-opening loss at Detroit. The Celtics host Chicago on Friday night, and the Nets host Detroit the same night.

Tatum's 40-point night with 8 assists and 5 rebounds is the kind of line that sets the tone for a fantasy week, and you can track his next one at The Sports Nus fantasy basketball page.

Key Facts

  • Final: Celtics 125, Nets 124 in overtime, Boston moves to 3-1 and Brooklyn falls to 0-4
  • Tatum: 40 points with 8 assists and 5 rebounds, 18-for-22 from the free throw line
  • The winner: 17-foot elbow jumper as time expired in overtime
  • Forcing OT: Mikel Brown Jr. hit a three-pointer in the final second of regulation
  • Nets leaders: Michael Porter Jr. 27 points and 12 rebounds, Julius Randle 24 points and 9 rebounds