The Boston Celtics kicked off their west coast trip with a disappointing 132-126 overtime loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday (or early Wednesday for Boston fans). After an impressive stretch of five consecutive home wins, the Celtics missed a chance to secure a victory against an opponent they were eager to defeat.

Leading by 17 points in the second half, the Celtics had numerous opportunities to extend their lead and seal the win. With Warriors' star player Steph Curry on the verge of fouling out early in the game, Boston had a chance to take advantage. However, missed layups and open 3-pointers in both regulation and overtime left the door open for the Warriors to come back.

Curry, known for his incredible long-range shooting, rose to the occasion and delivered a clutch 3-point shot with just 10 seconds remaining in regulation. The Celtics were unable to respond, leading to the overtime period where the Warriors ultimately secured the victory.

The loss against the Warriors serves as a reminder of the Celtics' previous season, where they started with a strong 20-5 record but eventually fell from their position at the top of the standings. Now, with a 20-6 record, the Celtics have an opportunity to prove that they are a different team this year and can sustain their success.

One peculiar aspect of the game was the Celtics' hyper-fixation on getting Curry into foul trouble. While their strategy initially seemed effective, it disrupted their offensive flow and made them resemble the inconsistent version of the team seen earlier in the 2021-22 season.

Boston struggled from beyond the arc, setting a franchise record of 41 missed 3-pointers. Several key players had a tough shooting night, including Sam Hauser, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Jaylen Brown, and Jrue Holiday. However, Payton Pritchard had a solid performance, going 3-for-5 from deep and contributing overall in his 20 minutes on the court.

In a worrisome moment, Tatum injured his left ankle in the first quarter but toughed it out and returned to the game after a brief absence. However, his performance appeared limited following the injury, shooting 5-for-17 from the floor and missing shots he normally makes at a high rate. The Celtics might face scrutiny for Tatum's final shot of regulation, but it's important to consider the impact of his injury on his performance.

Al Horford stepped up in the absence of Kristaps Porzingis, recording a double-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. He also made a crucial block/save against Curry in the fourth quarter. Neemias Queta, who filled in as the backup center with Luke Kornet still out, had a solid performance with 10 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes.

The Celtics' struggles in the game were evident in their late-game cold spell, where they missed multiple field-goal attempts in a single possession. Head coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged the missed opportunities but expressed satisfaction with the team's overall process.

Looking ahead, the Celtics will face a quick turnaround as they play the second game of a back-to-back against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.

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