Preview: Celtics at Nets, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026 BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Boston Celtics look to rebound from a last-second loss when they visit the struggling Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Friday night. The Celtics (26-16) enter on the heels of a 104-103 road defeat to the Detroit Pistons on Monday, a game in which Jaylen Brown scored 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Boston had won seven of its previous eight before the loss. Brown has been on a scoring tear, averaging 30.8 points over his last 10 games. That stretch includes a 50-point outburst against the Los Angeles Clippers on Jan. 3 and a 41-point performance in a win over Atlanta on Jan. 17. The Nets (12-29) have lost eight of their last 10 games and are coming off a 126-117 home loss to the Phoenix Suns on Monday. Center Nicolas Claxton has been a bright spot, averaging 10.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.9 blocks over that same 10-game span. He posted 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists against Phoenix. The season series is split 1-1. The Nets won the most recent meeting, 113-105 in Boston on Nov. 21, 2025. The Celtics took the prior game in Brooklyn, 113-99, on Nov. 18. Boston’s offense, ranked near the top of the league, will test a Brooklyn defense that has consistently allowed over 110 points. The Celtics have scored at least 119 points in six of their last 10 contests. For Brooklyn, finding consistent offense beyond Claxton’s versatile playmaking will be critical. The Nets have failed to reach 105 points in five of their last ten outings. Following this game, Boston continues a road trip in Chicago on Saturday. Brooklyn embarks on a challenging five-game Western Conference road trip starting Sunday in Los Angeles against the Clippers.