Clippers vs. Celtics: Lou Williams Creates History, Jayson Tatum Injury Update

The Boston Celtics’ three-game winning run on the road was brought to an abrupt halt as the Los Angeles Clippers gave them a sound beating with a 140-115 win on Monday night at the Staples Center. Brad Stevens’ team were on an upward trend having beaten the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, and the Lakers in their previous three games.

After a dismal run of 1-5 for the Celtics – the mood in the camp was upbeat as they returned to winning ways on the road, but the Clippers brought an end to it on a night when veteran shooting guard Lou Williams created history.

The 32-year-old top-scored for the Clippers with 34 points, five rebounds, and as many assists, but that was not the talking point of the night. Williams surpassed Dell Curry, who has 11,147 points, to become the highest points scorer from the bench in NBA history.

Williams surpassed the record when he hit his 28th point of the night, but he did not stop there as he continued his run to lead the Clippers to a resounding victory over the Eastern Conference’s fifth-placed team. He was ably backed up by Danilo Gallinari and Montrezl Harrell, who scored 25 and 20 points respectively.

“It means a lot man, it’s a testament to my career. I have been a career bench player. Two-time sixth player of the year and hopefully get another one this year. It just means a lot to go down in the record books,” Williams told NBA TV after the win over the Celtics.

“I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with a different group of guys. They respect what I bring to the table, they call me Uncle Lou on the back as I am one of the older guys on the team. We just got a great group of guys with great personalities and they cheer for my wins like I cheer for theirs, so I really appreciate that,” the shooting guard added.

The Celtics, meanwhile, were not at full strength on Monday night as they were without Jayson Tatum, who missed the game due to a minor shoulder injury. This is the first game the power forward has missed this season due to an injury.

Tatum has not missed any other game this season and his absence was certainly felt as the Celtics not at their best defensively having conceded 140 points in four quarters. He revealed he was playing the last couple of games through injury but was now keen to get back to full fitness before returning to action.

“It’s been bothering me a little bit lately,” Tatum said ahead of the game, as quoted on the Boston Herald. “I bruised it when we played Golden State, and kind of hit it again when we played (Sacramento), so it’s been kind of lingering a little bit. Nothing too major.”

“It’s more just being cautious. Want to feel 100 percent. Get some treatment till it feels all the way there,” he added hoping to make his return when the Celtics take on the Kings at TD Garden on Thursday night. “It’s nothing, anything, too major or too painful. Just a little nagging. I’m fine.”