Jaylen Brown believes the Boston Celtics took a big step in the right direction with their display against the streaking Oklahoma City Thunder.

Boston won 119-109 on Wednesday to snap OKC's 12-game winning run.

Brown scored 31 points, while Jayson Tatum chipped in with 19.

The Celtics are 48-24 and sit second in the Eastern Conference.

"I really wanted that win," Brown said.

"That was well needed. We needed that as well.

"We know we can play with anybody, but when you get a win on your home floor against the team that has the best record in the league, it feels good, especially after dropping the game I feel like we should have won against Minnesota [a 102-92 loss].

"Very encouraging and it's a step building in the right direction."

Wednesday's victory marked the Celtics' first win against a team with a win rate over .500 after 40 games since March 2017.

"I like the fact that we brought the physicality," Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said.

"I like the fact that we brought our offensive organisation. I like the fact that we executed. I like the fact that we took it to a different level defensively. 

"So now it's OK, where can we get better? How do we apply it to [the next game]? 

"They're playing really well, they're going to challenge us in different ways, and how do we get better?"

The Celtics take on the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.