Celtics forward Grant Williams couldn’t back up his trash talk during a 118-114 overtime loss to the Cavaliers on Monday.
With less than one second left in the fourth quarter and the game tied at 109 apiece, Williams was fouled, which set up a pair of potential game-winning free throws.
Cameras captured a confident Williams at the free throw line telling Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell: “I’mma make both.”
That’s when Williams proceeded to miss both shots — and Celtics guard Marcus Smart missed a tip-in at the horn to send the game into overtime.
Williams’ first attempt hit the front of the rim and bounced out.
His second attempt, which was delayed by Cleveland subbing Darius Garland in for Isaac Okoro, bounced off the back of the rim and out.
It marked the first time Williams — who is an 81.1 percent free throw shooter this season — was at the line during the Monday contest.
The Cavaliers went on to outscore the Celtics 9-5 in overtime to secure the win, 118-114 — handing Boston their third-straight loss.
The Celtics led by 15 points in both the second and third quarter, and the Cavaliers were down by double digits with less than five minutes left in the fourth.
After the game, Mitchell — who finished with 40 points, 11 rebounds and four assists — confirmed to reporters that Williams indeed said he would make both free throws.
“You just try to mess with him mentally and see what happens,” Mitchell said about his exchange with Williams. “I have no doubt in my mind that if Grant’s in that position again tomorrow or the next day, he’s going to make both free throws. He’s a good player, just trying to find a way to get in his head a little bit.”
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla offered a supportive message to Williams after the loss.
“Just tell him I love him,” Mazzulla said. “It’s part of the game. He didn’t miss them on purpose, just got to be able to move on from it.”
Williams finished the game with 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting with four rebonds.
The Celtics (45-21) now sit two games back from the Eastern Conference-leading Bucks (46-18).
Cleveland is 4.5 games behind Milwaukee in the fourth spot, with a 41-26 record.
The Celtics host the Trail Blazers on Wednesday.