This was a terrific showing for Kornet as he picked up the start with Derrick White (leg) unavailable. Al Horford (toe) was expected to play, but was ultimately a late scratch that went unreported by Boston. Kornet has fared well as a fill-in starter this season, averaging 11.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.3 blocks in six games.

Joe Mazzulla took the blame for the late-game miscues, saying he put his players in poor position but it was evident that Horford’s absence proved costly in that spot since Kornet has not played in crunch time for much of the season.

When Boston needed a stop, the calls the Celtics coach made proved disastrous, and afterward took responsibility for the loss: "I didn't help them close it at the end."

The Boston Celtics lost in the final moments of the game as a Amen Thompson buzzer-beater lifted the Houston Rockets to a 114-112 victory

Houston Rockets' Alperen Sengun (28) goes up for a shot as Boston Celtics' Derrick White (9) and Luke Kornet defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) AP

The Houston Rockets (30-14) play the final game of a two-game season series against the Boston Celtics (32-14) on Monday at TD Garden. The Celtics handed the Rockets their biggest loss of the season in a 109-86 blowout at Toyota Center on Jan.

The Boston Celtics have now blown a fourth-quarter lead nine times this season. Nine times in 47 games. They blew nine games in the fourth quarter all of last season. Monday night was the seventh time this season the Celtics have lost a game they led by 10 points.

Those last two plays are on me. Those are my fault.” Joe Mazzulla pointed the finger at himself after the Celtics dropped a 114-112 thriller to the Rockets on Monday night.

The Celtics fell apart defensively on the final two possessions as Dillon Brooks and the Rockets claimed a 114-112 victory.

Tatum was coming off of playing 41 minutes in a tough loss to the Rockets on Monday night. However, he got the green light to play which comes as no surprise seeing as he’s been one of the more durable stars in the NBA this year, missing just three games thus far.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- We've still got you on Weather Watch for Thursday afternoon as a front spins up thunderstorms, some of which could turn severe. Dense fog will continue near the coast ...