The Sacramento Kings are ringing in the New Year with a daunting challenge, hosting the surging Boston Celtics at Golden 1 Center on January 1, 2026. As the clock strikes 7:00 PM in Sacramento, the Kings, saddled with an 8-25 record and a slew of injuries, are desperate for a fresh start after closing out 2025 with a pair of lopsided defeats. Meanwhile, the Celtics, sitting pretty at 20-12 and third in the Eastern Conference, are looking to keep their hot streak alive despite missing their superstar, Jayson Tatum.
It’s been a rough ride for Sacramento fans lately. The Kings have dropped 12 of their last 15 games, tumbling to 14th in the Western Conference and holding the fourth-worst record in the NBA. Their most recent outing? A humbling 41-point blowout at the hands of the LA Clippers—a loss that stung even more with the return of Keegan Murray, who managed just 11 points on 4-for-13 shooting after missing two games with a calf injury. As the Kings’ faithful hope for a turnaround, the reality is clear: injuries and inconsistency have defined their season so far.
The Kings’ injury report remains lengthy and concerning. Domantas Sabonis, sidelined with a left knee partial meniscus tear, and Zach LaVine, out due to a left ankle sprain, are both unavailable for the Celtics matchup. Dylan Cardwell, a promising undrafted rookie who averaged 5.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 1.2 steals over six games, has been sent back to the G League after Drew Eubanks returned from injury. The Kings’ depth has been tested all season, and with Daeqwon Plowden and Isaiah Stevens also out, the rotation leans heavily on youth and resilience.
On the flip side, the Celtics have exceeded many preseason expectations, especially considering Jayson Tatum has yet to play a single minute this season due to his Achilles injury. Yet, Boston has managed to win five of their last six games, including a 129-119 victory over the Utah Jazz. Jaylen Brown has stepped up in a big way, averaging a career-high 29.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists while shooting an impressive 50.5% from the field and 37% from beyond the arc. Brown has notched 30 or more points 19 times this season, with three games over the 40-point mark. That’s some serious firepower.
But Brown is far from alone. Derrick White (18.4 points per game), Payton Pritchard (16.9 ppg), Anfernee Simons (13.1 ppg), and Neemias Queta (10.0 ppg) all average double figures for Boston. Queta, who was originally drafted by the Kings in 2021, has started 30 games for the Celtics, averaging career highs across the board—10.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 blocks. He’s become an anchor in the paint and a testament to Boston’s depth.
Boston’s injury list is short but significant. Jayson Tatum remains out with his Achilles rehab, and Chris Boucher is questionable due to personal reasons. The Celtics have managed to stay remarkably healthy otherwise, a big reason why they’ve been able to weather the storm without their franchise player. According to the official team report, "Chris Boucher - Personal Reasons - QUESTIONABLE. Jayson Tatum - Right Achilles Repair - OUT."
For Sacramento, the silver lining in this tough season has been the development of their young talent. Rookie Nique Clifford, a first-round pick from Colorado State, has emerged as a bright spot. Clifford has played 20-plus minutes in seven straight games and scored a career-high 18 points in the recent loss to the Clippers, shooting 7-for-12 from the field and 3-for-5 from deep. Maxime Raynaud, a second-rounder from Stanford, has started 11 consecutive games in Sabonis’ absence, averaging 14.6 points and 9.5 rebounds, including five double-doubles in his last seven outings. The Kings’ coaching staff has made it clear: rookie development is now a primary focus as the team looks to the future.
Another player to watch is Keon Ellis. While his numbers have fluctuated, Ellis has averaged 20.2 minutes over the last eight games. He exploded for a season-high 21 points in a December 27 win over Dallas and notched 10 points with six steals in a December 18 loss to Portland. The Kings are hoping he can string together more consistent performances as the season progresses.
Despite the adversity, the Kings aren’t throwing in the towel. Head coach and staff have shifted gears, emphasizing growth and the opportunity for younger players to get valuable NBA minutes. After all, with the hardest schedule in the league and a banged-up starting lineup, Sacramento’s record may not tell the whole story. There’s a sense that, if they can ever get healthy, the Kings could surprise some folks down the stretch.
As for tonight’s clash, oddsmakers are firmly in Boston’s corner, favoring the Celtics by 9.5 points with an over/under set at 227.5. The game will be broadcast on NBC Sports California and streamed via League Pass, with radio coverage on Sactown Sports 1140. It’s a chance for Sacramento to show some fight in front of their home crowd and perhaps steal a bit of momentum to kick off 2026.
So, what should fans expect? Boston’s depth and recent form make them the clear favorites, especially with Brown playing at an All-NBA level and Queta thriving in a bigger role. But the Kings, with nothing to lose and young players eager to prove themselves, could make things interesting. Stranger things have happened in the NBA, and a spirited home performance isn’t out of the question—even against a powerhouse like Boston.
As the teams prepare to tip off, all eyes will be on Sacramento’s young core and Boston’s ability to keep rolling without Tatum. For the Kings, it’s about pride, progress, and maybe, just maybe, delivering a New Year’s surprise for their loyal fans. The action is set, the stakes are clear, and the Golden 1 Center is ready for a fresh chapter in 2026 basketball.