The Boston Celtics rang in the new year with a statement win on the West Coast, dispatching the Sacramento Kings 120-106 on Thursday night at the Golden 1 Center. In a matchup that saw both teams trading blows for three quarters, it was the Celtics’ depth and late-game execution that ultimately proved decisive.
Jaylen Brown led the charge for Boston, putting together a commanding double-double with 29 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out late in the fourth. His relentless drives and timely buckets kept the Celtics afloat during the game’s most tense moments. But this wasn’t a one-man show—seven Celtics finished in double figures, showcasing the balanced scoring attack that has become their calling card this season.
“They’re a championship team so they know down the stretch where they’re going, things like that,” Kings forward Keegan Murray told reporters after Sacramento’s fourth-quarter collapse. “At the end of the day, it’s a make or miss league and we’re missing and they’re making, and unfortunately that was ... that was the game right there.”
The Kings, now 8-26 and mired at the bottom of the Western Conference, started the game with a burst of energy. Precious Achiuwa sparked Sacramento with eight quick points, helping the Kings jump out to an early 8-0 lead. The first quarter saw the Kings ahead 29-28, thanks to hot shooting and aggressive play in the paint. DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento’s steady veteran, paced his squad with 25 points and six assists, while Dennis Schroder—once a Celtic himself—added 18 points and seven assists off the bench. Keon Ellis chipped in 16 points, providing a rare offensive spark for the Kings’ second unit.
Boston, meanwhile, leaned heavily on its bench to keep pace. Anfernee Simons, continuing his run of strong performances, dropped 14 points with four assists. Sam Hauser was lethal from deep, nailing 5-of-7 from beyond the arc en route to 15 points. Luka Garza, climbing back into the rotation, contributed 11 points and posted a plus-16 in his minutes. Payton Pritchard and Derrick White each added 16 points, with White saving his best for last—scoring 14 of his 16 in a pivotal fourth quarter.
Despite the Celtics’ starters struggling from three-point range (just 5-for-24), the reserves more than compensated, collectively shooting a blistering 12-for-17 from deep. As noted by Chris Forsberg on the Celtics Talk Podcast, “It was a total team effort for the Boston Celtics as they took down the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night, 120-106. The C's struggled defensively until the fourth quarter, but hot shooting from the bench unit kept it close.”
Halftime saw the Celtics nursing a slim 62-61 lead, with Simons and Brown leading the way and DeRozan and Achiuwa doing damage for the Kings. The third quarter was a seesaw affair, featuring a 7-0 Boston run to open the period and a spirited Sacramento response led by DeRozan and Russell Westbrook. The Kings even took a 77-74 advantage midway through the third, but Brown’s 11 points in the quarter helped Boston keep pace. The period ended deadlocked at 88, setting the stage for a dramatic final frame.
The fourth quarter, however, belonged entirely to the Celtics. Boston outscored Sacramento 32-18, clamping down defensively and finding their offensive rhythm. Derrick White, quiet for much of the night, erupted for 14 points in the final period, repeatedly attacking the rim and knocking down open looks as the Kings’ defense faltered. “Derrick White tallied 14 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter,” NBC Sports Boston reported, highlighting his crucial role in the late surge.
Jaylen Brown’s relentless energy on both ends, even as he navigated foul trouble, set the tone for Boston’s late push. When Brown fouled out with just over two minutes remaining, the Celtics were already in control. The game was effectively sealed on a thunderous slam by Neemias Queta, a former King, sending the Boston bench into celebration mode.
Sacramento’s offense, which had hummed along through three quarters, sputtered badly in the fourth. The Kings managed just 18 points in the final period, unable to keep pace as Boston’s defense tightened and their own shots stopped falling. Keegan Murray, who finished with just seven points on 3-of-13 shooting, summed up the frustration: “At the end of the day, it’s a make or miss league and we’re missing and they’re making.”
For Boston, the win capped a successful stretch on the road. The Celtics improved to 21-12 on the season, including a 3-1 mark on this West Coast swing, and now trail only the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference standings. Their only setback on the trip was a loss to Portland, but victories over the Pacers, Jazz, and now Kings have kept momentum high. Only the Clippers remain on this five-game journey, with that contest set for Saturday night in Los Angeles.
The Celtics’ resilience is all the more impressive given the absence of star forward Jayson Tatum, sidelined with an Achilles injury. Other key contributors, including Chris Boucher (questionable) and Amari Williams (out), have forced Boston to shuffle its rotation. Yet the team’s depth has shone through, with players like Hauser, Simons, Garza, and Queta stepping up when called upon.
Meanwhile, the Kings’ struggles continue. With Domantas Sabonis (knee) and Zach LaVine (ankle) both out, Sacramento has struggled to find consistency on either end of the floor. The loss drops them to 14th in the West, and their upcoming schedule—featuring the Suns, Bucks, Mavericks, Warriors, and Rockets—offers little respite.
Boston’s victory also underscored its status as one of the NBA’s most balanced teams. Ranked fourth in both offensive and net rating, the Celtics have defied preseason expectations, especially in what many considered a potential gap year. Their ability to win on the road, adapt to injuries, and get contributions from across the roster bodes well as the season grinds on.
As the Celtics wrap up their road trip in Los Angeles, all eyes will be on whether they can maintain this level of play without Tatum. But if Thursday night was any indication, Boston’s depth and determination may be enough to keep them firmly in the Eastern Conference’s upper echelon. The Kings, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly if they hope to salvage anything from a season that’s slipping away fast.
