The Boston Celtics continued their impressive run at home by securing a convincing 117-98 win against the San Antonio Spurs, despite the absence of Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis. With this victory, the Celtics maintained their flawless record on their home court.

Following the game, Joe Mazzulla, the Celtics coach, emphasized the team's ability to be constructively critical of themselves. When asked about the team's mentality, Mazzulla highlighted the importance of quickly rebounding from setbacks rather than obsessing over preventing them. He emphasized the need for the team to maintain awareness of their performance and make a swift return to their desired level of play.

Joe Mazzulla's coaching philosophy focuses on the team's mentality, constantly pushing them to have a "healthy relationship with success" while also being critical of the details. Over the past few years, the Celtics have often faced mental letdowns, contributing to their setbacks. However, this season, the team's mentality appears to have taken a positive turn, possibly due to maturing players, an experienced roster, and Mazzulla's influence.

The Celtics demonstrated their prowess from beyond the arc, shooting an impressive 47.4 percent (18-for-38) from three-point range. The Spurs struggled defensively, and the Celtics capitalized on their ability to create open shots from deep, making three-pointers a decisive factor whenever San Antonio tried to make a comeback.

Jrue Holiday played a key role in the Celtics' three-point barrage, finishing the game with 22 points, including six three-pointers. Holiday attributed his offensive success to finding open spots on the court and playing with confidence, while giving credit to his coaches and teammates for their support.

One of the main attractions of the game was Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama's unique physical dimensions made him stand out even before the game started. Throughout the match, he showcased his skill with an impressive performance, scoring 27 points on 10-for-19 shooting, including two three-pointers. Wembanyama's highlight-reel dunk over Luke Kornet left spectators in awe of his talent.

Wembanyama expressed his admiration for the Celtics, praising their team depth and the willingness of every player to compete and make sacrifices. He highlighted the substantial growth he sees in the Celtics compared to the team he watched in the Finals against the Golden State Warriors two years ago.

In the absence of Kristaps Porzingis, Neemias Queta returned to the Celtics' rotation and made a significant impact, scoring six points and grabbing eight rebounds in 12 minutes of play. Mazzulla commended Queta's performance, noting his untapped potential and the positive effect he has on the team when he plays with a certain presence.

Jordan Walsh, a rookie, made his NBA debut for the Celtics and instantly made an impact by grabbing four rebounds in the final three minutes of the game. Although he missed an open three-pointer, Walsh received applause from the crowd for his efforts. Walsh attributed his development to the support he receives from the Celtics organization, both in Boston and during his time with the Maine team.

Jaylen Brown showcased his playmaking skills, getting creative with his passing. After a questionable behind-the-back pass in the first half, Brown redeemed himself with a between-the-legs assist to Oshae Brissett for a score in transition.

With a record of 32-9, the Celtics have reached the midpoint of their season. Brown expressed confidence in the team's progress while emphasizing the importance of staying engaged and holding each other accountable. The Celtics will face their toughest challenge yet as they aim to maintain their perfect home record against Nikola Jokic and the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, in their next game on Friday.