The Boston Celtics kicked off the 2026 calendar year with an emphatic statement on the road, defeating the Sacramento Kings 120-106 at the Golden 1 Center on Thursday night. In a game that remained neck and neck through three quarters, the Celtics relied on the scoring prowess of Jaylen Brown and a defensive masterclass in the final frame to pull away for their sixth win in seven games.

Jaylen Brown Leads the Way

Jaylen Brown continued his incredible scoring streak, finishing the night with 29 points and 10 rebounds. Despite a difficult night from beyond the arc shooting just 1 for 9 from three point range Brown’s aggressiveness in the paint and at the charity stripe kept the Celtics' offense afloat. He shot 11 of 25 overall and added four assists before eventually fouling out late in the fourth quarter.

Brown has been the offensive engine for Boston during a critical stretch, scoring 20 or more points in 12 of his last 15 appearances. His ability to navigate the Kings' defense, particularly against Keegan Murray and Precious Achiuwa, ensured the Celtics remained composed even when their perimeter shooting faltered early.

The 4th Quarter Explosion

The contest entered the final 12 minutes tied at 88-88, but the fourth quarter belonged entirely to Boston. The Celtics outscored Sacramento 32-18 in the period, fueled largely by the brilliance of Derrick White. White, who had only two points through three quarters, exploded for 14 points in the fourth.

A tiebreaking three pointer from White at the 10:45 mark gave Boston a 93-90 lead they would never relinquish. When Sacramento narrowed the gap to 104-100 midway through the quarter, Brown converted a crucial three point play, and White followed immediately with another shot from distance. This 11-2 run effectively put the game out of reach, giving Boston a comfortable 115-102 cushion with just under three minutes to play.

Bench Depth and Key Contributors

While the stars shone in the closing minutes, the Celtics' bench provided the necessary energy to survive a slow start. The second unit combined for 46 points, significantly outperforming the Sacramento reserves.

• Payton Pritchard: Tallied 16 points and 6 assists.

• Sam Hauser: Knocked down five 3 pointers to finish with 15 points.

• Anfernee Simons: Provided 14 points off the bench.

• Luka Garza: Contributed 11 points in limited minutes.

Rookie Hugo Gonzalez also made a quiet but massive impact, finishing with a team high plus 20 rating in 19 minutes of action, showcasing the depth that head coach Joe Mazzulla has cultivated.

Struggles for the Sacramento Kings

The Kings, now 8-26 on the season, showed flashes of competitiveness but lacked the late game execution to match the defending conference heavyweights. DeMar DeRozan led Sacramento with 25 points and 6 assists, while Dennis Schroder added 18 points off the bench.

Despite shooting 44% from deep through three quarters, the Kings' offense went cold when it mattered most, missing all nine of their three point attempts in the fourth quarter. The loss marks their ninth defeat in eleven games, leaving head coach Doug Christie searching for answers as the team continues its difficult homestand.

With this victory, the Celtics improve to 21-12, sitting just two games behind the New York Knicks for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. They will look to continue their momentum as they travel to take on the Los Angeles Clippers this Saturday. Meanwhile, the Kings must quickly regroup before facing the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.