Tiger Woods will not take part in The Players Championship next week after failing to enter the tournament before Friday's deadline.

The 82-time PGA Tour winner finished tied for 45th at the Genesis Invitational in February, with that his first appearance since The Open last July.

However, after competing in his first standard PGA Tour event since October 2020, Woods confirmed he will mainly focus on being ready for this year's four majors.

That means skipping the PGA Tour's flagship tournament, which gets under way on Thursday at TPC Sawgrass, with Woods not part of the 144-player field announced on Friday.

The list includes 43 of the world's top-50 players, including top three Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.

Woods, who continues to be hampered by mobility issues caused in a career-threatening car accident in February 2021, had been eligible due to winning The Masters in 2019.

The two-time Players Championship winner is expected to next be in action at The Masters in early April.

Xavi described Barcelona as "the most difficult club in the world" after his team came in for criticism even after beating Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Copa del Rey semi-final win by Barcelona on Thursday handed Xavi's side a 1-0 advantage to take into the second leg, with Madrid unable to manage a shot on target.

Now LaLiga leaders Barcelona face Valencia on Sunday, when they will have a chance to, perhaps only briefly, go 10 points clear of second-placed Madrid.

Barcelona had only 35 per cent of possession against Madrid but did enough, with Eder Militao's own goal decisive. It was their lowest share of possession in any game since the 2013-14 season.

"I see that there has been a stir," Xavi said. "Barca is the most difficult club in the world. You win 1-0 in Madrid, and it is not enough. The style is discussed. If it had been the other way around it would be a national holiday.

"Madrid are Champions League and LaLiga champions. When they squeeze you, it's very difficult. Talking about possession when they go man to man is absurd.

"We weren't good with the ball, we have to improve, but without the ball we were extraordinary. We don't want 36 per cent possession, but this is football and there is a rival.

"There is always noise at Barca. We have to manage the noise. We did a lot of things well and there are others to improve. There are two titles at stake, and this is the moment of truth."

According to Xavi, the fact Barcelona only have two titles to go for could be helpful, after their elimination from the Europa League by Manchester United.

Madrid are also still hunting a Champions League title defence, with one foot in the quarter-finals after battering Liverpool 5-2 at Anfield in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

"We will have more time, but we would like to be alive in Europe," Xavi said. "We will have more time to rest and recover better, that is a certain advantage."

Head coach Xavi will be without several important players on Sunday, with midfielder Pedri and striker Robert Lewandowski among them, both sidelined by hamstring injuries, while Gavi is suspended.

Barcelona have won 87 per cent of their LaLiga games when Pedri has played (G31 W27 D3 L1) during Xavi's time at the helm, but that dips to just 50 per cent when he has been absent (G18 W9 D4 L5).

Pedri also missed last weekend's 1-0 loss to Almeria, which was just a second league loss of the campaign for Barcelona, who have not lost successive games in LaLiga since October 2021, when Ronald Koeman was boss.

Barcelona play in the afternoon in Spain on Sunday, with Madrid not in action against Real Betis until the evening.

A win for Barcelona would be a fifth in a row against Valencia on league duty, matching their longest streak of victories against Los Che, achieved twice before.

"It's a golden opportunity to get 10 points ahead, waiting for what Madrid do," Xavi said. "We failed against Almeria, and we can't make any more mistakes."

Another man they must cope without at pitch level is Xavi himself, as the coach serves a one-match touchline ban for an accumulation of yellow cards.

"I suppose I'll be in a box, where the game and the spaces can be seen better," said Xavi. "It doesn't change anything. The only thing is that I won't be able to be on the bench."

Carlo Ancelotti is not concerned by Real Madrid's struggles in front of goal and is confident Karim Benzema will soon get back to scoring ways.

Madrid failed to register a single shot on target in Thursday's 1-0 Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg loss to Barcelona – the first time that has happened in a home game since 2010.

Los Blancos managed seven attempts on target in their most recent LaLiga outing, but they found the net from just one of those in a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid.

Benzema played a full part in both games without scoring, but his mini drought was preceded by a two-goal showing in Madrid's stunning 5-2 Champions League win at Liverpool.

The former France international has 18 goals in 26 appearances this season, and Ancelotti defended Benzema's displays ahead of facing Real Betis.

"It's not possible to be 'at the top' in every game," Ancelotti said at Saturday's pre-match press conference. "Karim doesn't worry me because I see him in good shape.

"He's in a good physical condition, certainly better than in the first part of the season. At the offensive level, collectively, we are very good.

"We are the team with the most goals in the league. Benzema has failed at some specific moments, nothing more. But there is no 'offensive problem'. We scored five at Anfield."

Vinicius Junior was fouled a game-high five times against Barca and has now been fouled 130 times this term – 32 times more than any player across Europe's top five leagues.

The Brazil winger reacted angrily to a couple of challenges, but Ancelotti is not concerned about the 22-year-old being sent off for retaliating.

"It doesn't worry me at all," Ancelotti said. "The important thing here is that Vinicius doesn't lose the love of playing. 

"In recent games they have defended against him very well, that's why it has cost him at times."

Madrid are aiming to avoid going three games without a win in all competitions for the first time this season when they face Betis.

Ancelotti's side, who trail leaders Barcelona by seven points, have won five of their past six visits to Betis in LaLiga.

"We enter the game in good shape and we are recovering players," Ancelotti said. "We know Sunday's game will be difficult against a great team who play attractive football.

"There is no margin for error. We will have to give everything to get the win."

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar were a joy to play alongside but Pablo Sarabia nevertheless wanted to leave Paris Saint-Germain.

Sarabia swapped hopes of a Ligue 1 title and push for Champions League glory with PSG for a relegation battle in the Premier League with Wolves in January.

The Spain international reunited with Julen Lopetegui, who he had previously worked under in La Roja's under-21s team.

Lopetegui has lifted Wolves off the bottom of the table and out of the relegation zone, though ahead of Saturday's meeting with Tottenham they have failed to win their last three games.

Sarabia is enjoying life in England, however, despite no longer playing alongside three of the world's best players.

In an interview with The Telegraph, the 30-year-old said: "It was amazing to play with Messi, Mbappe and Neymar.

"It was a very good experience, but for me the most crucial thing is to feel important in the team."

Sarabia also suggested the unity at Wolves is greater than that of PSG, adding: "I prefer to play in another team to feel that unity, to be part of it, to be a member of the team and of a family, rather than just an addition of individuals.

"I was not happy not to play. It's very difficult to play considering the level of PSG players, so I made the decision to come here. In my career I have been through a lot of difficult moments, but now I want to enjoy it.

"I feel that at this moment, I'm in the prime of my career."

Sarabia has scored once in six league appearances for Wolves, with five of those coming as starts.

He started only three Ligue 1 games for PSG this term prior to his January transfer, having spent last season on loan at Sporting CP, where he netted 21 goals.

Massimiliano Allegri believes Juventus qualifying for the Champions League after being deducted 15 points would be akin to winning three Serie A titles.

Juve have earned 50 points this season, which would be enough to have them second in the table had they not been punished for past financial dealings.

Instead, they are back on 35 points, 12 points outside the Champions League places in seventh.

That remains the Bianconeri's unlikely aim, but Allegri was keen to outline just how difficult their task is ahead of Sunday's game at fifth-placed Roma.

"Perhaps my words have been misrepresented," Allegri said. "I said that the Champions League chase is an impossible, difficult thing.

"That said, the team at the moment has made 50 points. On the field, we are doing well and we must continue.

"Even among those in front, one will miss out between Inter, Milan, Lazio and Roma. One is left outside, and there is also Atalanta still behind who have the possibility to return.

"There are 42 points at stake, right? Everything is still to be played, so we have to take one step at a time. We can't look too far ahead, and we have to work for 'mini' goals."

However, Allegri was then asked what the scale of that achievement would be. Is it similar to winning a Scudetto?

"Going with minus-15 into the Champions League is not like winning a Scudetto," he replied. "It would be like winning three."

Juve have won six of their past seven away Serie A games and three of their last four league matches against Roma.

The Giallorossi face being without Jose Mourinho following a suspension due to his red card in their previous game.

But Allegri said: "I would be sorry if he wasn't there. I hope to see him on the pitch.

"In my opinion, once the coach is thrown out of the game, you can give him a fine, then the next time he has to be on the bench. With fines, you can maybe help those in need."

Erik Spoelstra bemoaned Julius Randle's one-in-100 clutch three that defeated his Miami Heat and continued the New York Knicks' winning run.

The Knicks had won seven straight ahead of Friday's trip to the Heat but looked set to see that streak ended as they trailed by a point with only seconds remaining.

But Randle somehow worked room for a shot after initially fumble the ball on the right sideline and drained a stunning effort from three-point range.

Randle finished with 43 points and eight made threes, but it was understandably that final attempt that so frustrated Heat coach Spoelstra in a 122-120 defeat.

"If you did that play 100 times, 99 times out of that it's going to end up in our favour," Spoelstra said.

"That's just crazy unfortunate luck on our part and good fortune for them. He made a heck of a shot."

"Crazy" was how RJ Barrett described it, too, saying of Randle: "He just went crazy today.

"When you're in a mode like that and you're just making shots like that, the basket just gets bigger. We needed it, for sure."

Randle himself added: "It was fate. It felt good honestly when it left my hand. I was in the zone, I guess."

The forward so caught up in the moment he knocked Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau to the floor as he ran the length of the court to celebrate.

"He's a little mad at me right now," Randle joked later. "I need to talk to him."

Stipe Miocic will face the winner of Saturday's heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane, UFC president Dana White has announced.

Jones makes his long-awaited return to the UFC at heavyweight in Las Vegas.

A former two-time light heavyweight champion, Jones is facing Gane for the vacant heavyweight belt after Francis Ngannou left the UFC as a free agent.

Ngannou beat Miocic and Gane in his last two fights before quitting, and Jones will take on the same pair in reverse order if he comes through Saturday's bout at UFC 285.

"He's absolutely the next one," White said of Miocic. "So, whoever wins on Saturday night will face Stipe next."

But there will be no blockbuster return for Ngannou, who White says will not be allowed back into the UFC.

"We negotiated with him for years," he said. "It's over. That's over. He'll never be in the UFC again."

Pep Guardiola revealed his frustration at an Ederson yellow card last month as he suggested Newcastle United would be allowed to get away with wasting time against Manchester City.

There has been plenty of focus on Newcastle's gamesmanship this season, with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag describing the Magpies as "annoying" ahead of the EFL Cup final.

When the topic was raised with Guardiola, however, he preferred to fume about punishment dished out to his goalkeeper in the top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal.

"If [there is] a waste of time, we will have a yellow card for Ederson," Guardiola said. "Don't worry.

"We are the team with the least waste of time, and the first time we go to Arsenal away, after 35, 37 minutes, we got a yellow card, so don't worry about wasting time."

If Newcastle were allowed to get away wasting time at the Etihad Stadium in Saturday's early kick-off, Guardiola suggests that would be nothing new for City's opponents.

"It depends on the referee, but I'm pretty sure the yellow will be for Ederson," he said.

"How many thousand million games [do] teams come to the Etihad Stadium and waste time with their keepers? Twenty seconds every time – the goal-kick – and nothing happens. Absolutely nothing.

"And after, we go there [to Arsenal], we want to be active to play and we get a yellow card."

Seventh seed Tommy Paul claimed a spot in the Mexican Open final after proving too good for countryman Taylor Fritz in the longest match in Acapulco history on Friday.

Paul edged the third seed 6-3 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-2) in three hours and 29 minutes in their semi-final clash in Acapulco.

World number 23 Paul actually generated a match point late in the second set but spurned his initial chance, then waiting another two hours before winning in the third-set tie-break.

Paul let match point slip at 5-4 in the second set and had to rally back from 3-1 down in the third, but triumphed on his fourth match point.

"I couldn't be happier," Paul said. "The goal for this year was to get the ranking up and get more trophies. I only have one trophy on Tour between singles and doubles.

"You don't get trophies unless your in the final, and hopefully I can play another good match tomorrow and get the winner's trophy."

The 2023 Australian Open semi-finalist will take on Alex de Minaur in Saturday's decider, after he defeated Holger Rune 3-6 7-5 6-2 in two hours and 50 minutes.

In the Chile Open, local Nicolas Jarry progressed into the semi-finals with a 3-6 6-3 6-4 win over German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann. Jarry will face Spaniard Jaume Munar after he won 6-3 3-6 6-2 over Thiago Monteiro.

Third seed Sebastian Baez got past Laslo Djere 7-6 (7-4) 6-4, setting up a semi-final date with Tomas Martin Etcheverry after he won 6-1 6-2 over Dusan Lajovic.

Steve Kerr is enthused by the Golden State Warriors' recent form, believing his team have "turned a corner" in their season.

The defending NBA champions have endured a difficult up-and-down year, not helped by injuries to Finals MVP Stephen Curry.

But as Curry prepares to return from his latest lay-off, which has so far spanned 11 games, the Warriors are hitting form.

They ended a 5-0 homestand with victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, improving to 34-30 in fifth place in the Western Conference.

"It's been exciting to see our team, I think, turn a corner," said coach Kerr.

The Warriors are only a game behind the Phoenix Suns in fourth place, giving them a clear target for the remainder of the season.

"You realise how important all these games are from here on out," Klay Thompson added.

"We want to do everything we can to have home court, especially in the first round. So, it's a great challenge, and it's there for us to take."

Thompson, who is scoring 22.1 points per game for the year, has averaged 27.1 points over the last 11 games while Curry has been out and 30.3 points across the Warriors' seven wins in that time.

"Guys have figured out their roles, and I think we are in great condition," he said. "We are having fun, above all."

In May 2004, as Rafael Benitez and his Valencia team celebrated a LaLiga and UEFA Cup double, it was truly a bright period in the club's history.

Between 1999 and 2004, Los Che won two league titles and also reached two Champions League finals, losing both to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, but it was an impressive achievement to be there in the first place, before beating Marseille 2-0 in the 2003-04 UEFA Cup final in Gothenburg.

It was not exactly all downhill from there either.

Granted, no further league titles have been forthcoming in the almost 19 years since, but in an era where the imposing pair of Barcelona and Real Madrid have only grown further, while Atletico Madrid became another formidable foe, that Valencia have had eight top-four finishes in that time is still impressive.

Two Copa del Rey wins in that time, including one as recently as 2018-19, have kept them in the conversation and from an outsider's perspective, it would have been reasonable to assume that one day, they would be back to threaten the big boys.

However, in recent seasons it has been harder and harder to imagine that scenario, with the club feeling like it was spinning its wheels, and this campaign could be one that some have seen coming for a long time.

A ninth-place finish last season looked better than it was, finishing closer to the relegation spots than the top seven in terms of points.

Valencia hosted Celta Vigo in the final game of the 2021-22 campaign, and secured a 2-0 win, but it was just their sixth victory at the Mestalla all season.

Prior to the game, an estimated 10,000 fans marched to the Avenida de Suecia outside the stadium in protest at owner Peter Lim and then president Anil Murthy.

The club sacked Murthy last May after audio was leaked of him threatening star midfielder Carlos Soler with bad press if he tried to leave at the end of the season. Soler ultimately sealed a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

As for Lim, he took over the ownership of Valencia in 2014, and fans have been largely unhappy with his leadership ever since.

The Singaporean former stockbroker had at least eased the debt the club had when he arrived, but the approach since then has been more about balancing the books and maintaining their LaLiga status rather than showing ambition to return them to their previous lofty position.

Since the 1987-88 season, Valencia have only had four bottom-half finishes in Spain's top-flight, with three of those coming since Lim's arrival almost nine years ago (11th in 2015-16, 12th in 2016-17 and 13th in 2020-21).

Two seasons ago, the 13th-placed finish was Valencia's joint third worst ever LaLiga season (also 13th in 1987-88), only finishing lower in 1982-83 (15th) and 1985-86 (16th).

Selling the likes of Soler, Ferran Torres and Goncalo Guedes in recent years without adequately replacing them has not helped, either with the performances of the team or the relationship with the fans.

And now, even that LaLiga status is in serious question.

Speaking to Stats Perform, former Valencia left-back and director of football Amedeo Carboni understands the fans' frustrations, believing a disconnect between the powers that be and the supporters has not helped.

"Valencia are not going well, you can see that in the table," the former Italy international said. "And it's been for some years, maybe not that low, but it has been now four or five years in which the club is not investing in the team, not investing enough money, so if the squad is not competitive, it's hard being high in the table.

"A lot of teams buy reinforcements, and if they don't start well in the winter market they always find something to help them. You just need to look at Sevilla, who were recently where Valencia are, and now they have risen a bit.

"Regrettably, it had started well [under Lim], then there were some changes that the people, the fans, didn’t understand, changing managers after a good season, managers that had won the Copa del Rey, or qualified for the Champions League.

"To tell the truth, we are outside and don't know what is happening in there, we can only judge what happens. The team is not going well and the people are not happy. There's no signings to [make them] dream.

"[A disconnect] is one part of it, because the fans don't play, the fans don't sign anyone. But having them against you is not a good thing. And this, regrettably, has worsened over time.

"There was a lot between the former president, Murthy and the fans... I think there was a lack of respect towards the club and the fans. They are Mediterranean fans, so hot fans, they like to be involved not only on Sunday, but every day throughout the year.

"If you think about the owner, how many years has he been in Valencia?... I think he has been [to a game] how many times? Five? Seven? No more. That tells a lot."

It seems crazy to think a team that has boasted stars like Santiago Canizares, Gaizka Mendieta, Claudio Lopez, Pablo Aimar, Roberto Ayala, David Villa and David Silva could be playing second tier football next season.

Valencia sit in the relegation zone after 23 games, having won just two of their last 15 league outings (D4 L9).

Gennaro Gattuso was appointed head coach ahead of the campaign but only lasted until late January as the team struggled for consistency under the Italian.

They are far from adrift though, sitting just a point behind Real Valladolid in 17th and just four behind Espanyol in 12th, while last Saturday saw them record a rare win against Real Sociedad in Ruben Baraja's first home game since replacing Gattuso as head coach.

The appointment of Baraja with Carlos Marchena as his assistant almost feels emblematic of the journey for Valencia over the last two decades.

Both were a part of the two title winning teams in 2002 and 2004, but simply appointing people who were there in the good times could seem like a token gesture to appease fans rather than a tactical masterstroke.

Carboni – who also played for the club during that successful period – believes having two figures like his former team-mates in charge could help to focus minds though in what will be a tough period for Los Che.

"Now, you need to be effective," he said. "If you play well, you have a better chance of winning, but when you are in a situation like Valencia, the result is fundamental. You only need to focus on the points. It doesn't matter if you draw or you win on the 95th minute, it is exactly the same. This is the situation Valencia is in.

"Probably [having] two ex-players who have lived it and know what the players are thinking in these moments, they will know how to speak to them, because in these kind of situations, the psychological factor is much bigger than the physical, so if you can recover the focus, the physical side will come as a consequence."

He also understands the desire of Baraja and Marchena to return despite the difficult circumstances, adding: "You always have that dream, knowing that Valencia is an historical team of LaLiga, when you have played there and become a coach, it is normal to want to come back to your club that brought you so much happiness."

Valencia travel to Barcelona on Sunday, a fixture once highly-anticipated as a battle between two of the top teams in Spain.

This time, the visitors will arrive more in hope than expectation, and if they are unable to get their act together in the remaining 15 games, it may not even be a fixture next season.

After a few dark years – by their standards – Manchester United appear to be re-entering the light, with last weekend's EFL Cup triumph their first trophy win since 2017.

It may not be the most desired silverware in England, but when a club so accustomed to winning begins to see dust gathering in the trophy cabinet, any tangible representation of success isn't to be sniffed at.

But Erik ten Hag said it best on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's FA Cup defeat of West Ham: "Get back to work."

Given United's significant improvement under the Dutchman, there's every reason to believe the EFL Cup won't be their only trophy of the season – they're arguably still alive in the Premier League title race, a Europa League last-16 tie with Real Betis awaits, and they will be huge favourites against Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

The Premier League is the one, however, and if they are to pull off a remarkable turnaround to win it for the first time in 10 years, slip-ups from this point are unthinkable.

A trip to Anfield probably isn't what they want then, is it?

The drought

Granted, the 2022-23 edition of Liverpool is the Reds' poorest in several years, with Jurgen Klopp's side in a real fight for Champions League qualification.

But, for United, there will be something of a psychological barrier to break when they go to Merseyside on Sunday.

United haven't beaten the Reds at Anfield in the Premier League in over seven years, with their last victory there being a 1-0 win in January 2016.

They have suffered three defeats and claimed as many draws at Anfield in that time, making it their longest winless run away to Liverpool in the league since a streak of nine between 1970 and 1979.

It's been a generally one-sided rivalry in recent years, with Liverpool avoiding defeat in eight successive league games against United before this season.

Their clash at Old Trafford in August ended that run of course – had it not, nine matches without a win would've been United's worst ever run against a single team in Premier League history.

Nevertheless, United's most recent trip to Anfield will have left wounds that run deep.

The last visit

Having already lost 5-0 at home to Liverpool in the 2021-22 season, there was almost a feeling things couldn't get worse for United at Anfield last April.

In terms of the scoreline, they didn't. Technically a 4-0 defeat is better than a 5-0 loss.

But the stats painted a particularly harrowing picture for United after their second meeting of the season, which in itself was hugely one-sided.

The nine goals conceded over the two games was the most United had ever shipped against one team in a single Premier League campaign.

Furthermore, the 9-0 aggregate loss was the second worst in their entire league history, with only an 11-0 deficit to Sunderland in 1892-93 – yes, the 1890s, not a typo of the 1990s – being a greater margin.

Liverpool cut United open as early as the fifth minute, with Mohamed Salah laying the ball on a plate for Luis Diaz to tap in.

Sadio Mane then found Salah with an exceptional reverse pass for the Egyptian to make it 2-0 in the 22nd minute, before a fine first-time finish from the Senegal star midway through the second half had the Reds home and dry – if they weren't already.

Salah wrapped things up with a deflected chip, becoming the first player in Premier League history to score five goals against United in a single season after his hat-trick at Old Trafford.

Liverpool were then fully immersed in a bid for a quadruple having already won the EFL Cup.

This time around, remarkably, it's United in that position – they'll be hoping to at least match Liverpool by adding one more title before the season's conclusion.

The turning point

Matches against Liverpool have proven particularly poignant during Ten Hag's short association with United.

He was officially announced as the club's new manager two days after that Anfield hammering last April, and four months later he got his first win in charge against the Reds.

That's not to suggest his hiring was intrinsically linked to the loss to Liverpool – after all, reports had suggested for weeks prior that he was the primary choice. But there was a perception at the time that the club brought forward the announcement after that loss to ease fan concern.

Then, things started to go right for him and United with August's galvanising 2-1 win at Old Trafford.

United had, of course, lost their first two games of the season. Their humiliating 4-0 loss to Brentford on matchday two saw them end a day bottom of the Premier League for the first time since August 1992, Ten Hag becoming the only Red Devils manager to lose his two opening games in charge in 101 years.

But with expectations as low as could be, Ten Hag made his mark. Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire were dropped, and United went on to win 2-1.

Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford got the goals before Salah's late consolation, with United showing promising signs with their attacking fluidity.

Since then, only leaders Arsenal (54) have amassed more points than United (49) in the Premier League.

It all started against Liverpool.

The present

For the Reds, the top four remains absolutely attainable – though United presumably feel the same way about winning the title, even if Arsenal are 11 points ahead (having played a game more).

Stats Perform's supercomputer reckons United have only a 2.2 per cent chance of usurping the Gunners and Manchester City, however, which puts such ambition in the 'about as likely as Ralf Rangnick being re-hired' region – Liverpool, the model says, have a 28.4 per cent likelihood of getting fourth.

In that respect, a positive result arguably looks more important for United, if you can really put a number on such things.

But even if a league title proves unattainable, beating Liverpool in their own backyard would see Ten Hag break down another major barrier for Manchester United, bringing them a step closer to the light.

Joe Mazzulla could see the Brooklyn Nets' fightback coming even as the Boston Celtics led by 28 points on Friday.

The Nets produced the biggest comeback win of the season, tied for the biggest in franchise history, trailing by 28 midway through the second quarter but wiping out that deficit by midway through the third.

Brooklyn won 115-105 as the Celtics suffered their biggest collapse since blowing another 28-point lead against the Los Angeles Clippers in February 2019.

Yet Mazzulla had been concerned early on, with the Nets shooting 18.2 per cent from three-point range in the first quarter, showing the clear room for improvement.

The Celtics shot 44.4 per cent from beyond the arc over the same period, although they still only attempted nine threes. Only in five of their previous 51 first quarters had they attempted fewer, averaging 11.3 threes attempted in first quarters this season.

"I was actually worried, because we were scoring, but it wasn't because we were making shots," Mazzulla said. "It was because we were getting lay-ups.

"And they are a very analytically sound team, so I knew the tide was going to shift because they were going to continue to shoot threes.

"If we didn't play at a level of shooting threes and getting offensive rebounds and taking care of the ball, that was going to cost us."

Sure enough, as the Celtics made five-of-21 threes over the remaining three quarters (23.8 per cent), the Nets shot 12 of 33 (36.4 per cent).

Brooklyn's 44 total attempts from three tied their season high, and that volume shooting from deep made such a comeback feel far more achievable, according to Cam Johnson.

"It really does," Johnson said. "Especially when you know you're just messing up a lot, and that's the reason for it.

"In the NBA, leads aren't safe. Leads just aren't safe, you know? People go on runs. Sometimes shots go in, sometimes they don't.

"And so you've just got to stick to the script, keep your head down and keep working, and we had that effort across the board today and the result was a win."