Jaylen Brown showcased an impressive performance with 29 points and 10 rebounds, leading the Boston Celtics to a decisive 120-106 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night. The win marked a significant step forward for the Celtics, who improved their record to 21-12 on the season.
Despite a challenging night beyond the arc, hitting just 1 of 9 three-pointers, Brown’s overall contribution was vital. He also added four assists and made six free throws before fouling out late in the game. This performance continues a strong trend for the four-time All-Star, who has scored 20 or more points in 12 of his last 15 games.
Derrick White supported the team with 16 points and seven assists, while Payton Pritchard also chipped in with 16 points and six assists. Sam Hauser proved invaluable off the bench, hitting five three-pointers for a total of 15 points. Anfernee Simons added 14 points, contributing to the team’s offensive depth.
On the contrary, the Kings struggled, especially in the second half, despite DeMar DeRozan leading their scoring with 25 points. Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis also made solid contributions, scoring 18 and 16 points, respectively. The Kings have faced a tough stretch, losing four of their last five games and nine of their last eleven.
The game saw a competitive first half, with the Kings holding the lead at times. Sacramento initially overcame an early eight-point deficit to take a 29-28 lead at the end of the first quarter, aided by Precious Achiuwa’s quick eight points. However, as the game progressed, the Celtics turned the tide in the second half.
A pivotal moment came when White’s three-pointer gave the Celtics a 93-90 lead that they would not relinquish. Despite Sacramento narrowing the gap to 104-100 with 6:30 remaining, Brown and White responded decisively, executing a critical 11-2 run to seal the win.
Looking ahead, the Celtics will face the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday, while the Kings will head to Phoenix to take on the Suns Friday. The resilience shown by the Celtics bodes well for their upcoming matchups, as they aim to build on this momentum.