Joe Johnson Makes Triumphant NBA Return in Boston Celtics' Win Over Cleveland Cavaliers

(Photo : Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the first half of a game against the Golden State Warriors at TD Garden on December 17, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Boston Celtics notched their 16^th win of the season on Wednesday, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers, 111-101, at TD Garden. It was a huge bounce-back win for the Celtics, who suffered a gut-wrenching 108-103 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in their previous game.

Brown, Williams lead Celtics in rout

Four players scored in double-figures for the Celtics, who returned to .500 ahead of Christmas Day. Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 34 points, knocking down 12 of his 22 field goal attempts. He shot 5 of 10 from beyond the arc and made all five of his free throw attempts. Brown also had six rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 36 minutes of action.

Brown has now scored 30 or more points in each of his last two games. That is a great sign for Brown, who has been plagued by injuries this season. He has missed five games this month because of a bothersome right hamstring.

Robert Williams put on quite a show for the Celtics in the win against the Cavs, scoring a career-high 21 points. He also recorded 11 rebounds and seven assists in a brilliant all-around performance. Jayson Tatum had a poor shooting night but still finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists. He contributed on the defensive end as well, nabbing two steals and one block.

The Celtics dominated a Cavs team that was dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak. Eight of their players were placed on the league's health and safety protocols, including starters Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

Darius Garland carried the scoring cudgels for the undermanned Cavs, scoring 28 points on 11 of 22 shooting from the floor. Kevin Love and Cedi Osman were the only other Cleveland players to score in double digits, adding 18 and 13 points, respectively.

Despite playing with a short-handed lineup, the Cavs managed to put up a fight in the second half. They sliced the Celtics' lead to 10 points at the start of the fourth quarter after a basket by Garland. Boston quickly quelled Cleveland's uprising as the Celtics unleashed an 8-0 run to ice the game.

Joe Johnson makes cameo appearance in NBA return

With the Celtics in cruise control in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, they were able to give some playing time to the returning Joe Johnson. The 40-year-old veteran signed a 10-day contract with the Celtics on Tuesday afternoon. Johnson was given another shot by the Celtics with COVID-19 decimating the rosters of teams around the NBA.

Johnson delighted the crowd when he nailed a jumper in the final minute of their game against the Cavs. Johnson has been a lethal scorer in the NBA, racking up more than 20,000 points in his storied career.