The NBA returned after the All-Star break with a high-profile cross-conference clash as the Boston Celtics visited the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center on February 19, 2026. This matchup carried strong playoff importance for both teams. Boston came into the game fighting for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, while Golden State was battling to hold onto a Play-In position in the West.
The biggest talking point before the game was injuries. The Warriors were missing their biggest offensive weapon, Stephen Curry, along with Jimmy Butler, which had already affected their scoring and overall rhythm. On the other hand, the Celtics continued their strong season despite playing without Jayson Tatum. With Boston’s elite defense and Golden State’s struggling offense, the matchup was expected to be controlled by the visitors and the result reflected that balance of power.
Match Details
| Match | Boston Celtics vs Golden State Warriors |
|---|---|
| Date | February 19, 2026 |
| Venue | Chase Center, San Francisco |
| Tip-off | 10:00 PM ET / 8:30 AM IST (Feb 20) |
| Streaming | Prime Video / NBA League Pass |
Latest Standings
| Team | Record | Conference Rank | Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | 36–19 | 2nd East | W2 |
| Golden State Warriors | 29–27 | 8th West | L1 |
Boston strengthened its hold near the top of the East, while Golden State continued to struggle for consistency and playoff security.
Last Game Result
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| Feb 19, 2026 | Celtics 114 – 101 Warriors |
Boston controlled the game with strong defense and balanced scoring, while Golden State again struggled to generate enough offense without Curry.
Injury Report
Boston Celtics
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Jayson Tatum | Out (Achilles recovery) |
Golden State Warriors
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Stephen Curry | Out (Knee) |
| Jimmy Butler | Out for season (ACL) |
| Seth Curry | Out |
| Kristaps Porzingis | Limited minutes (Achilles management) |
Golden State’s long injury list has been the biggest reason behind their recent struggles, especially on the offensive end.
Key Player Stats (2025-26 Season)
Boston Celtics
| Player | PPG | RPG | APG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaylen Brown | 29.3 | 6.9 | 4.7 |
| Derrick White | 17.2 | 4.3 | 5.8 |
| Nikola Vucevic | 16.7 | 9.0 | 3.2 |
Golden State Warriors
| Player | PPG | RPG | APG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Curry* | 27.2 | 3.5 | 4.8 |
| Brandin Podziemski | 12.0 | 5.8 | 3.9 |
| De’Anthony Melton | 11.7 | 3.9 | 3.1 |
Without Curry, Golden State’s scoring has dropped significantly, ranking near the bottom in offensive production in recent games.
Also see: Stephen Curry Injury Update: Warriors Star Ruled Out vs Celtics with Knee Issue
Team Form & Performance Analysis
Boston entered the matchup in excellent form, winning six of their last seven games before the All-Star break. They own one of the best scoring differentials in the league (+6.9) and rank among the top teams in defense, opponent shooting percentage, and paint protection.
Golden State, meanwhile, has gone 4–6 in its last 10 games. Since Curry’s absence and Butler’s season-ending injury, the Warriors have struggled in multiple areas:
- Bottom-tier offensive rating
- Weak rebounding numbers
- Poor transition scoring
- 3–8 ATS since Butler’s injury
At home, the Warriors have also leaned toward high-scoring games, with several recent contests going over the total.
Head-to-Head (H2H)
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| All-time series | Celtics lead 211–141 |
| Last meeting (Feb 19, 2026) | Celtics won |
| Last four seasons | Series split each year |
The teams have been evenly matched in recent years, but Boston clearly had the edge in this matchup due to injuries on the Warriors’ side.
Betting Odds & Lines
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spread | Celtics -5.5 |
| Moneyline | Celtics -220 to -230 |
| Warriors ML | +180 to +189 |
| Over/Under | 211.5 – 212 |
Best Picks & Predictions
Match Winner: Boston Celtics
Spread Pick: Celtics -5.5
Total Pick: Mixed signals — recent H2H trends suggest high scoring, but Warriors’ offense without Curry points toward lower output.
Player Picks to Watch
- Jaylen Brown: Over Points + Rebounds + Assists (high usage role)
- Derrick White: Over Points + Assists (strong playmaking)
- Draymond Green: Slight increase in scoring and rebounding without Curry
Team Prop
- Warriors Team Total Under 103.5 (offensive struggles without Curry)
What Decided the Game
Boston’s elite defense and depth were the key difference. They limited Golden State’s scoring options and controlled the tempo throughout the game. Even without Jayson Tatum, the Celtics showed why they remain one of the top contenders in the league.
For Golden State, the absence of Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler continues to hurt. Until their offensive leader returns, the Warriors may find it difficult to compete against top defensive teams.
Final Prediction Verdict
Boston entered this game as the stronger and healthier team — and the result confirmed that expectation. With their defensive structure, balanced scoring, and playoff momentum building, the Celtics look ready for a deep postseason run.
Golden State, meanwhile, remains in survival mode. Their playoff hopes will largely depend on the return of Stephen Curry and improved offensive consistency in the coming weeks.
