Celtics Dominate Shorthanded, Remind Kings-and the League-What They’re Capable Of
Jaylen Brown was in street clothes Friday night, but the Boston Celtics didn’t miss a beat. In a game that was never in doubt, the Celtics steamrolled the Sacramento Kings 112-93 at TD Garden, leading wire to wire and stretching the margin to as many as 31 points.
No Brown? No problem. Boston leaned into its depth, its pace, and its physicality-three pillars that have defined its identity this season-and turned a potentially tricky matchup into a laugher by halftime.
Pritchard Steps Up, Again
Let’s start with Payton Pritchard, who’s quietly made a habit of thriving when the Celtics are shorthanded. With Brown sidelined due to hamstring and knee issues, Pritchard didn’t just fill in-he took over. The guard dropped 29 points and dished out 8 assists, with 22 and 8 of those coming in the first half alone.
He was relentless. Hunting mismatches, attacking soft spots in Sacramento’s defense, pushing the tempo-Pritchard dictated the pace from the jump and never let up.
Here’s the kicker: according to longtime Celtics stats guru Dick Lipe, Pritchard became just the fifth player in the play-by-play era to post that kind of first-half stat line while shooting 80% from the field. That’s elite company, no matter who’s on the other side.
Neemias Queta: A Problem for the Kings-Now and Then
Neemias Queta’s rise hasn’t made major headlines this season, but it’s becoming harder to ignore-especially for the team that let him go.
Back from illness, Queta logged a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds, controlling the paint on both ends. He brought a level of physicality that Sacramento simply couldn’t match.
The Kings moved on from Queta in 2023, opting instead for a veteran in JaVale McGee whose best days are behind him. On Friday, that decision looked even more questionable. While Sacramento struggled to find any interior presence, Queta looked every bit the part of a rotation big for a contender.
Boston’s frontcourt depth remains a question mark, but performances like this make a strong case that Queta could be part of the long-term solution.
Celtics Win It the Old-Fashioned Way-Inside the Arc
This wasn’t a three-point barrage. It was a beatdown in the paint.
Boston shredded Sacramento’s pick-and-roll coverage early, shooting a blistering 85% in the first half on two-pointers (17 of 20). Whether it was backdoor cuts, rim runs, or simple drives off the dribble, the Celtics got whatever they wanted inside.
They racked up 72 points in the first half without needing to rely on volume from beyond the arc. That’s the kind of offensive versatility that separates good teams from great ones. When Boston plays with force and decisiveness, they don’t need to live or die by the three-they can simply out-execute you.
Kings Continue to Spiral
Yes, Sacramento was on the second night of a back-to-back. But fatigue only tells part of the story.
This Kings roster looks stuck-caught between overpriced veterans and young players who haven’t taken the next step. Friday’s loss, their seventh straight, only reinforced the sense that something has to give.
Zach LaVine led the team with 17 points, but there was little fight once Boston landed the first punch. The Kings looked disjointed, passive, and outmatched.
At this point, it doesn’t feel like they’re waiting for a bounce-back. It feels like they’re bracing for a reset.
Boston Sends a Message Without One of Its Stars
This wasn’t just a bounce-back win for Boston after Wednesday’s stumble-it was a statement. Even without Jaylen Brown, the Celtics reminded everyone what they’re capable of when they’re locked in: deep, adaptable, and flat-out dominant.
They’ll face a tougher test Sunday when the Milwaukee Bucks come to town. But if Friday night was any indication, the Celtics are more than ready-no matter who’s in the lineup.