The Celtics locked up a playoff spot with their 117-109 win over the Timberwolves Thursday.

Kyrie Irving returned after missing Monday night's game to lead Boston with 23 points, eight assists and two steals, but it was the Celtics' bench that really led the way as they outscored Minnesota's relievers 42-20. Marcus Morris had 17 points while going 3 for 5 from long distance.

“Marcus is a hard guy to guard at the three because of his size, and also at the four because he spreads the floor so much," Celtics coach Brad Stevens told reporters after the game. "He’s in a good groove right now.”

As well as Boston (46-20) played, there was a somber mood in the locker room after the game as the team's minds were on second-year forward Jaylen Brown.

The 21-year-old had a scary fall in the fourth quarter when he fell on his back and neck after losing his balance on the rim after a fast-break dunk. Brown was down for an extended period of time but was able to get up and walk off on his own power.

Boston announced after the game Brown was out with concussion-like symptoms and was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. Players' minds were firmly on their teammate after the game.

“I was terrified,” Marcus Smart said. “I’ve done that fall in high school the exact same way. It’s hard to see that.”

Studs of the Night

Timberwolves forward Nemanja Bjelica tallied his first-ever 30-10 game with 30 points and 12 rebounds in the loss to the Celtics.
Russell Westbrook was efficient in the Thunder's 115-87 win over the Suns with 27 points on 11-of-14 shooting. He added nine assists and eight rebounds.

Nets guard Allen Crabbe had 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting (6 of 11 from beyond the arc) with eight rebounds in Brooklyn's 125-111 win over the Hornets.

Dud of the Night

Philadelphia forward Robert Covington filled up the stat sheet, but couldn't hit a shot to save his life as he went 0 for 10 from the floor in the 76ers' 108-99 loss to the Heat.

Highlight

Beautiful ball movement from the Warriors resulted in a nice dunk from JaVale McGee.

Klay ➡️ JaVale ����#DubNation pic.twitter.com/BOb8beNkBh
— NBA (@NBA) March 9, 2018

What's Next

Rockets (51-13) at Raptors (47-17) 7:30 p.m. ET — It's the best in the West vs. the best in the East as the Rockets take their 17-game winning streak into Canada to take on the playoff-bound Raptors who have won six in a row and 14 of their last 15. The Rockets have the best record in basketball on the road at 26-7, but the Raptors have the best home record at 27-5. Something has to give, but it won't be the quality of basketball