On this day in Boston Celtics history, the team experienced a heartbreaking defeat in Game 3 of their 2020 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup against the Toronto Raptors. The Celtics fell short with a final score of 104-103, surrendering a 2-1 series lead after having won the first two games. This loss was particularly painful for Boston, as it came down to a last-second three-pointer by Raptors forward OG Anunoby, who capitalized on a full-court pass from point guard Kyle Lowry. Despite the defensive efforts of the Celtics' 7-foot-5 center, Tacko Fall, who was brought in to challenge Lowry, the shot found its mark.
The defeat marked the Celtics' first playoff game in the Orlando bubble, and it was a tough outing despite a strong performance from veteran guard Kemba Walker, who led the team with 29 points. Alongside him, forward Jaylen Brown contributed significantly with 19 points and 12 rebounds, while swingman Jayson Tatum added 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. Following the game, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens expressed the disappointment felt by the team, stating, "It hurts and stings to lose. But we’ll just get back to it and get ready for Saturday." Walker also acknowledged the difficulty of the loss, giving credit to Anunoby for his remarkable shot.
In addition to the playoff loss, this date also holds historical significance for the Celtics. On the same day in 1898, the Tremont Street subway was extended to Causeway Street, paving the way for the construction of North Station. It would take another three decades before the original Boston Garden was built at 150 Causeway Street, a venue that would become synonymous with Celtics history.
Furthermore, this date is marked by a notable transaction in the Celtics' history. The team sent Juancho Hernangomez to the San Antonio Spurs as part of a three-team deal that brought Bol Bol and PJ Dozier to Boston from the Denver Nuggets. Hernangomez, who starred in the Netflix film "Hustle," had a brief tenure with the Celtics, averaging just 1.1 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.
Tragically, today also marks the anniversary of the passing of former Celtics big man Woody Sauldsberry in 2007. Born in 1934 in Winnsboro, Louisiana, Sauldsberry played college basketball at Texas Southern University before being drafted in the eighth round of the 1957 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia Warriors. Over his seven-season NBA career, he played for several teams, including the Warriors, St. Louis Hawks, and the defunct Chicago Packers and Zephyrs. Sauldsberry made a brief return to the NBA with the Celtics during the 1965-66 season, contributing to the team's championship run in a reserve role.
Today serves as a reminder of both the highs and lows of Boston Celtics history, from tough playoff losses to the legacy of players who have donned the green and white.
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