The 'imploding' Celtics reportedly had a total breakdown in the locker room after Game 2 loss
The Boston Celtics had a 17-point lead in the second quarter of Game 2 against the Miami Heat on Thursday night and seemed poised to even the Eastern Conference Finals with a win.
Instead, they fell apart in the second half and ended up losing to Miami, 106-101, in a game that Jimmy Butler once again came up big in for the Heat.
The Celtics then apparently had a bit of a breakdown in the locker room after the game as multiple reports from people on the scene said they could hear Marcus Smart swearing at his teammates and they also heard what sounded like things being thrown around locker room.
Gary Washburn, who is the Celtics beat writer for The Boston Globe, provided these reports, saying the team is imploding:
Marcus Smart is screaming in the #Celtics locker room and there is a bunch of arguing going on. Smart comes out say “y’all on that bullshit!” Team is imploding. Smart is in bathroom and there is still screaming coming from locker room.
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) September 18, 2020
Smart wasn’t the only one yelling. There were definitely items thrown and a lot of yelling. #Celtics
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) September 18, 2020
Argument is continuing. Locker room still closed. #Celtics
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) September 18, 2020
Been outside a bunch of locker rooms in my days. That’s was as raucous as I’ve ever heard. #Celtics
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) September 18, 2020
ESPN’s Malika Andrews was also on the scene and heard the same things:
There were loud clanks — like someone throwing items — coming from the Celtics’ locker room. https://t.co/0D9SokSr5u
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) September 18, 2020
Celtics coach Brad Stevens said his guys were “emotional” after their loss:
When asked about this, Brad Stevens said: “Guys were emotional after a hard game — hard loss.” https://t.co/eWYuPdrzLb
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) September 18, 2020
It sure seems like the Celtics are having some issues, and now they’re down 2-0 against the Heat, who have been red-hot in these playoffs.
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