Pritchard Shines As Celtics Rout Short-Handed Kings

The Boston Celtics returned to the friendly confines of TD Garden on Friday night, looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss earlier in the week. Their opponents, the Sacramento Kings, arrived in Boston carrying the burden of a seven-game losing streak and a roster battered by injuries. With both teams missing key players, anticipation swirled around how the Celtics would respond and whether the Kings could muster an upset in the face of adversity.

Entering the contest, Boston boasted a 29-18 record, placing them third in the Eastern Conference and in a tight race with the New York Knicks for second place. The Kings, on the other hand, had struggled mightily through the season, sitting at 12-37 and tied for the worst record in the NBA alongside the New Orleans Pelicans. Sacramento’s woes were compounded by the grueling nature of their schedule—Friday’s game marked their third contest in four nights and their fourth straight road matchup out East.

Both squads faced significant injury challenges. The Celtics were without All-Star Jayson Tatum, sidelined by an Achilles injury, and Jaylen Brown, who was officially ruled out due to left hamstring tightness and a right knee contusion. That left Boston’s backcourt and supporting cast with the tall order of stepping up against a Kings team desperate for a win. For Sacramento, the absence of Domantas Sabonis (left knee injury management) and Russell Westbrook (right foot soreness) further depleted a lineup already missing Keegan Murray (knee). Malik Monk, recently returning from right ankle soreness, was a bright spot, expected to suit up after missing two games.

Tipoff was set for 7:30 p.m. ET, with fans tuning in on NBC Sports Boston and NBC Sports California. Oddsmakers pegged the Celtics as heavy favorites, setting the spread at Boston -11.5 and the over/under at 217.5 points. The Kings, with their depleted roster and recent struggles, were +375 underdogs, while Boston was a commanding -500 on the moneyline. Despite the missing stars, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla’s squad entered the night with a reputation for bouncing back strong after losses—a trend that had held true throughout his tenure.

From the opening whistle, Boston played with urgency and cohesion, determined not to let another opportunity slip away. The absence of Tatum and Brown might have spelled trouble for some teams, but the Celtics’ depth came to the forefront. Payton Pritchard, thrust into a leading role, seized the moment with a career night. He poured in 29 points and dished out eight assists, orchestrating the offense with poise and confidence. Pritchard's performance was especially crucial with Boston’s usual scoring leaders sidelined, and he proved more than capable of carrying the load.

Abby Chin caught up with Pritchard postgame, where he reflected on his big night: “I just wanted to come in and do whatever the team needed. With Jaylen and Jayson out, it was on all of us to step up. Everyone contributed and we played with great energy from the start.” According to NBC Sports Boston, Pritchard was one of six Celtics players to finish in double figures, underscoring the team’s balanced attack.

Boston’s defense also made its presence felt, stifling Sacramento’s offense and capitalizing on the Kings’ fatigue from a relentless road trip. The Celtics built a commanding lead early and never looked back, ultimately cruising to a 112-93 victory. The win improved Boston’s record to 30-18, tying them with the Knicks for second in the East and keeping them within striking distance of the conference-leading Detroit Pistons.

For the Kings, the loss dropped them to 12-38, cementing their status as the league’s cellar-dwellers. The defeat extended Sacramento’s losing streak to eight games and left them facing the harsh reality of their position in the draft lottery race. With the season winding down, Sacramento’s focus has shifted to player development and evaluating young talent, as the odds of landing a top-four pick in the NBA Draft loom large. The Kings haven’t picked first overall since 1989 and are now tied with New Orleans for the worst record in the league—giving them a 52.1% chance at a top-four selection and a 14% shot at the coveted No. 1 pick.

Injuries continued to shape the narrative for both teams. The Kings’ lineup juggled last-minute changes, with coach Doug Christie opting to bring Zach LaVine off the bench after a brief absence due to lower back soreness. Malik Monk, returning from injury, tried to spark the offense, but the Kings couldn’t generate enough firepower to keep pace with Boston’s relentless attack. The absence of Sabonis and Westbrook left Sacramento thin in the frontcourt and lacking veteran leadership on the floor.

As for Boston, the victory was a testament to their depth and resilience. With key players sidelined, the supporting cast didn’t just fill in—they thrived. Derrick White, Sam Hauser, and Amari Williams all made significant contributions, while the Celtics’ bench provided a steady stream of energy and production. Coach Joe Mazzulla’s ability to adapt and motivate his squad after a tough loss was on full display. According to The Action Network, Boston has excelled in games following a defeat under Mazzulla, consistently covering the spread and responding with strong performances.

The game also served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the NBA season. While the Celtics were expected to win handily given the Kings’ struggles and depleted roster, the manner in which Boston dominated—despite missing their top two stars—sent a clear message to the rest of the league. Depth, preparation, and a next-man-up mentality can make all the difference, especially as teams jockey for playoff positioning and brace for the rigors of the postseason.

Looking ahead, Boston’s schedule doesn’t get any easier. The Celtics are set to host the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday afternoon at TD Garden, a matchup with major implications for the Eastern Conference standings. As the regular season enters its final stretch, every game becomes critical in the race for playoff seeding and home-court advantage.

For the Kings, the road trip continues with a visit to the Washington Wizards, another team mired near the bottom of the standings. With the season slipping away, Sacramento’s focus will likely remain on development, health, and evaluating their roster ahead of the draft and offseason.

Friday night’s result at TD Garden was a resounding statement from the Celtics—a team undeterred by adversity and ready to rise to the occasion, no matter who’s on the floor. The Kings, meanwhile, find themselves searching for answers as their challenging season rolls on.