Game ID: 22500474
Boston Celtics @ Sacramento Kings
Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 10:00 PM ET
Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
SAC 29 32 27 18 106BOS 28 34 26 32 120
BOS @ SAC ScoutingBOS @ SAC Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
SAC availability going into 12/23 · 1 day's restOUT LaVine missed 3 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Sabonis missed 15 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 17 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Carter missed 4 since 12/14, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 4 since 12/14, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 29 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Eubanks missed 4 since 12/14, out tonight
BACK Schröder back 12/14 after 7, 28 min since (105% of 26)
BACK Monk back 12/21 after 2, 5 min since (22% of 22)
BACK Cardwell back 12/18 after 20, 19 min since (93% of 21)
NEW Raynaud 26 to 34 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 12/27 · 3 days' restOUT LaVine missed 4 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Sabonis missed 16 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 18 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Carter missed 5 since 12/14, out tonight
OUT McDermott missed 5 since 12/14, returns tonight: 19 min (128% of 15)
OUT Stevens missed 30 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Eubanks missed 5 since 12/14, out tonight
BACK Schröder back 12/14 after 7, 26 min since (99% of 26)
BACK Monk back 12/21 after 2, 9 min since (42% of 22)
BACK Cardwell back 12/18 after 20, 21 min since (102% of 21)
NEW DeRozan 31 to 38 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 12/28 · back-to-backOUT LaVine missed 5 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Sabonis missed 17 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 19 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Carter missed 6 since 12/14, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 31 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Eubanks missed 6 since 12/14, out tonight
BACK Monk back 12/21 after 2, 13 min since (57% of 22)
BACK Cardwell back 12/18 after 20, 21 min since (102% of 21)
BACK McDermott back 12/27 after 5, 19 min since (128% of 15)
SAC availability going into 12/30 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 2 since 12/27, returns tonight: 30 min (86% of 34)
OUT LaVine missed 6 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Sabonis missed 18 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 20 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Carter missed 7 since 12/14, returns tonight: 7 min (40% of 18)
OUT Stevens missed 32 since 10/22, out tonight
OUT Eubanks missed 7 since 12/14, returns tonight: 13 min (98% of 13)
BACK Monk back 12/21 after 2, 14 min since (65% of 22)
BACK McDermott back 12/27 after 5, 16 min since (104% of 15)
SAC availability going into 1/01 · 1 day's restOUT LaVine missed 7 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Sabonis missed 19 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 21 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 33 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK Murray back 12/30 after 2, 30 min since (86% of 34)
BACK Monk back 12/21 after 2, 14 min since (62% of 22)
BACK Carter back 12/30 after 7, 7 min since (40% of 18)
BACK McDermott back 12/27 after 5, 13 min since (86% of 15)
BACK Eubanks back 12/30 after 7, 13 min since (98% of 13)
SAC availability going into 1/02 · back-to-backOUT LaVine missed 8 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Sabonis missed 20 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 22 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 2 since 12/30, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 34 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK Murray back 12/30 after 2, 34 min since (98% of 34)
BACK Carter back 12/30 after 7, 7 min since (40% of 18)
BACK McDermott back 12/27 after 5, 13 min since (86% of 15)
BACK Eubanks back 12/30 after 7, 10 min since (76% of 13)
SAC availability going into 1/04 · 1 day's restOUT LaVine missed 9 since 12/18, returns tonight: 36 min (113% of 31)
OUT Sabonis missed 21 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 23 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 3 since 12/30, out tonight
OUT Stevens missed 35 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK Murray back 12/30 after 2, 33 min since (97% of 34)
BACK Carter back 12/30 after 7, 6 min since (32% of 18)
BACK McDermott back 12/27 after 5, 14 min since (90% of 15)
BACK Eubanks back 12/30 after 7, 10 min since (76% of 13)
NEW Ellis 18 to 27 min over the last 5
SAC availability going into 1/06 · 1 day's restOUT Sabonis missed 22 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 24 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Monk missed 2 since 1/02, out tonight
OUT Cardwell missed 4 since 12/30, returns tonight: 10 min (51% of 21)
OUT Stevens missed 36 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK Murray back 12/30 after 2, 32 min since (92% of 34)
BACK LaVine back 1/04 after 9, 36 min since (113% of 31)
BACK Carter back 12/30 after 7, 6 min since (32% of 18)
BACK Eubanks back 12/30 after 7, 13 min since (97% of 13)
SAC availability going into 1/09 · 2 days' restOUT Sabonis missed 23 since 11/19, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 25 since 11/14, out tonight
OUT Monk missed 3 since 1/02, returns tonight: 19 min (88% of 22)
OUT Carter missed 2 since 1/04, returns tonight: 4 min (21% of 18)
OUT Stevens missed 37 since 10/22, out tonight
BACK Murray back 12/30 after 2, 32 min since (92% of 34)
BACK LaVine back 1/04 after 9, 36 min since (116% of 31)
BACK Cardwell back 1/06 after 4, 10 min since (51% of 21)
BACK Eubanks back 12/30 after 7, 13 min since (97% of 13)
BOS availability going into 12/22 · 1 day's restOUT Boucher missed 11 since 11/26, out tonight
BACK Garza back 12/20 after 4, 26 min since (166% of 16)
BOS availability going into 12/26 · 3 days' restOUT Boucher missed 12 since 11/26, out tonight
BACK Garza back 12/20 after 4, 25 min since (162% of 16)
NEW González 14 to 25 min over the last 5
BOS availability going into 12/28 · 1 day's restOUT Boucher missed 13 since 11/26, out tonight
BACK Garza back 12/20 after 4, 26 min since (165% of 16)
NEW González 14 to 25 min over the last 5
BOS availability going into 12/30 · 1 day's restOUT Minott missed 2 since 12/26, out tonight
OUT Boucher missed 14 since 11/26, out tonight
BACK Garza back 12/20 after 4, 22 min since (142% of 16)
NEW González 14 to 27 min over the last 5
BOS availability going into 1/01 · 1 day's restOUT Minott missed 3 since 12/26, out tonight
OUT Boucher missed 15 since 11/26, out tonight
BACK Garza back 12/20 after 4, 21 min since (137% of 16)
NEW González 14 to 25 min over the last 5
BOS availability going into 1/03 · 1 day's restOUT Minott missed 4 since 12/26, returns tonight: 3 min (18% of 16)
OUT Boucher missed 16 since 11/26, out tonight
NEW Garza 16 to 21 min over the last 5
NEW González 14 to 23 min over the last 5
BOS availability going into 1/05 · 1 day's restOUT Boucher missed 17 since 11/26, out tonight
BACK Minott back 1/03 after 4, 3 min since (18% of 16)
BOS availability going into 1/07 · 1 day's restOUT Boucher missed 18 since 11/26, out tonight
BACK Minott back 1/03 after 4, 3 min since (18% of 16)
BOS availability going into 1/09 · 1 day's restOUT Minott missed 2 since 1/05, out tonight
OUT Boucher missed 19 since 11/26, out tonight
NEW Garza 16 to 21 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 125, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; DeRozan at 21 and Westbrook at 19 a game. Without LaVine (7 straight), Sabonis (19 straight), Plowden (21 straight). One day's rest. Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Brown at 30 and Pritchard at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Minott (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Boston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Boston allowing 109 a night to Sacramento's 125 and the glass, where Boston has been plus-7 a night and Sacramento plus-0. Call it Boston 119, Sacramento 112.
12/23 vs DET 127-136 — SAC notes
SAC lost 127-136. SAC shot 46% (42 of 92) to DET's 54%, 11 of 33 from three, and went to the line 37 times to DET's 28 — 32 points from the stripe to their 20. DeRozan led with 37 (12 of 18, 0 of 3 from three, 13 of 15 at the line); Westbrook added 27, Achiuwa 15. Q4 was theirs, 30-21, the deficit cut from 18 to 9, but the other 3 periods went 115-97 against them. Murray's -15 in 20 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/27 vs DAL 113-107 — SAC notes
SAC won 113-107. SAC shot 43% (45 of 104) to DAL's 46%, 17 of 38 from three, and got to the line 8 times to DAL's 20. SAC turned it over 11 times to DAL's 19. Ellis led with 21 (8 of 15, 5 of 10 from three); Westbrook added 21, Raynaud 19. The hinge was Q1, 31-23: from level to 8 ahead, and the lead reached 18. Ellis was the night's best plus/minus at +11.
12/28 @ LAL 101-125 — SAC notes
SAC lost 101-125. SAC shot 48% (40 of 83) to LAL's 53%, 8 of 29 from three. DeRozan led with 22 (8 of 17); Raynaud added 16, Westbrook 13. Q3 was theirs, 27-31, but the other 3 periods went 94-74 against them. Raynaud's -22 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/30 @ LAC 90-131 — SAC notes
SAC lost 90-131. SAC shot 41% (34 of 83) to LAC's 51%, 9 of 27 from three, and got to the line 14 times to LAC's 32. SAC turned it over 18 times to LAC's 3, and LAC turned those into 13 steals. Clifford led with 18 (7 of 12, 3 of 5 from three); Raynaud added 12, Westbrook 12. Q3 was theirs, 31-27, the deficit cut from 33 to 29, but the other 3 periods went 104-59 against them. Murray's -27 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/01 vs BOS 106-120 — SAC notes
SAC lost 106-120. SAC shot 47% (40 of 85) to BOS's 51%, 12 of 36 from three. DeRozan led with 25 (9 of 16, 1 of 3 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Schröder added 18, Ellis 16. Q1 was theirs, 29-28, but the other 3 periods went 92-77 against them. Westbrook's -14 in 27 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/02 @ PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Booker at 25 and Brooks at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Allen (7 straight), Green (23 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 124, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; DeRozan at 20 and Westbrook at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without LaVine (8 straight), Sabonis (20 straight), Plowden (22 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been plus-6 a night and Sacramento minus-3 and the defense, Phoenix allowing 112 a night to Sacramento's 124. Call it Phoenix 122, Sacramento 109, Phoenix by 13.
1/04 vs MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 122, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; DeRozan at 15 and Westbrook at 15 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without LaVine (9 straight), Sabonis (21 straight), Plowden (23 straight). One day's rest. Milwaukee comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 115, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; Gia. Antetokounmpo at 29 and Rollins at 19 a game. Without Prince (27 straight), Nance (4 straight), Anthony (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Milwaukee wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Milwaukee at 41 percent from three to Sacramento's 35 and the defense, Milwaukee allowing 115 a night to Sacramento's 122. Call it Milwaukee 117, Sacramento 112.
1/06 vs DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 99 a night and allowing 124, shooting 44 percent and 30 from three, 22 free throws a game; DeRozan at 16 and Westbrook at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Sabonis (22 straight), Plowden (24 straight), Monk (2 straight). One day's rest. Dallas comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 118, shooting 50 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Williams at 19 and Christie at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Russell (3 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Dallas wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Dallas at 34 percent from three to Sacramento's 30. Call it Dallas 116, Sacramento 113, Sacramento keeping it close.
1/09 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 117, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Ste. Curry at 29 and Butler III at 20 a game. Without Kuminga (10 straight), Spencer (3 straight), Hield (3 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 99 a night and allowing 119, shooting 43 percent and 31 from three, 22 free throws a game; DeRozan at 16 and Westbrook at 14 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Sabonis (23 straight), Plowden (25 straight), Monk (3 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the arc, Golden State at 37 percent from three to Sacramento's 31 and the glass, where Golden State has been minus-1 a night and Sacramento minus-7. Call it Golden State 119, Sacramento 108, Golden State by 11.
12/22 vs IND 103-95 — BOS notes
BOS won 103-95. BOS shot 43% (38 of 89) to IND's 39%, 11 of 37 from three. The glass went 49-36 for them. Brown led with 31 (11 of 25, 2 of 6 from three, 7 of 8 at the line); White added 19, Pritchard 11. The hinge was Q4, 29-13: BOS came in trailing by 8 and left it ahead by 8. BOS trailed 43-61 at the half and won the second half 60-34. González was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
12/26 @ IND 140-122 — BOS notes
BOS won 140-122. BOS shot 57% (47 of 83) to IND's 49%, 20 of 39 from three, and went to the line 34 times to IND's 20 — 26 points from the stripe to their 16. Brown led with 30 (13 of 20, 2 of 3 from three); Pritchard added 29, Hauser 23. The hinge was Q2, 47-22: BOS came in trailing by 11 and left it ahead by 14, and the lead reached 28. Garza was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
12/28 @ POR 108-114 — BOS notes
BOS lost 108-114. BOS shot 44% (40 of 91) to POR's 47%, 13 of 44 from three. Brown led with 37 (14 of 23, 2 of 5 from three, 7 of 10 at the line); González added 13, Simons 13. Q2 was theirs, 33-24, turning a 1-point deficit into a 8-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 90-75 against them. They led by as many as 10. Simons's -15 in 19 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/30 @ UTA 129-119 — BOS notes
BOS won 129-119. BOS shot 51% (48 of 94) to UTA's 47%, 13 of 44 from three. BOS turned it over 7 times to UTA's 13. White led with 27 (8 of 16, 2 of 10 from three, 9 of 9 at the line); Brown added 23, Simons 20. The hinge was Q3, 40-32: BOS came in trailing by 5 and left it ahead by 3. BOS trailed 59-64 at the half and won the second half 70-55. Simons was the night's best plus/minus at +27.
1/01 @ SAC 120-106 — BOS notes
BOS won 120-106. BOS shot 51% (44 of 87) to SAC's 47%, 17 of 41 from three. Brown led with 29 (11 of 25, 1 of 9 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); White added 16, Pritchard 16. The hinge was Q4, 32-18: from level to 14 ahead. González was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
1/03 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 5-0 over their last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 100, shooting 50 percent and 42 from three, 29 free throws a game; Leonard at 40 and Harden at 26 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Zubac (5 straight), Bogdanović (3 straight). One day's rest. Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 111, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Brown at 30 and White at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Minott (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the glass, where Boston has been plus-5 a night and the Clippers minus-3 and the defense, the Clippers allowing 100 a night to Boston's 111. Call it the Clippers 115, Boston 112, Boston keeping it close.
1/05 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 115, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 23 free throws a game; Brown at 34 and White at 21 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 118, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 19 free throws a game; Vučević at 20 and Buzelis at 16 a game. Without Giddey (3 straight), White (3 straight), Collins (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the arc, Boston at 40 percent from three to Chicago's 33 and the glass, where Boston has been plus-5 a night and Chicago plus-1. Call it Boston 123, Chicago 113, Boston by 10.
1/07 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 18 free throws a game; Brown at 31 and White at 19 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 123, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murray at 26 and Watson at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Jokić (4 straight), Johnson (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Boston has been plus-6 a night and Denver minus-10 and the defense, Boston allowing 111 a night to Denver's 123. Call it Boston 122, Denver 113.
1/09 vs TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 18 free throws a game; Brown at 30 and White at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Minott (2 straight). One day's rest. Toronto comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 105, shooting 44 percent and 28 from three, 23 free throws a game; Barrett at 23 and Ingram at 20 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Poeltl (8 straight). One day's rest.
So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the arc, Boston at 39 percent from three to Toronto's 28 and the glass, where Boston has been plus-10 a night and Toronto plus-3. Call it Boston 116, Toronto 110.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
BOSAS A. Simons
BS B. Scheierman
DW D. White
GO Gonzalez
HG H. González
JB J. Brown
JW J. Walsh
LG L. Garza
NQ N. Queta
PP P. Pritchard
SH S. Hauser
SACDD D. DeRozan
DE D. Eubanks
DS D. Schröder
KE K. Ellis
KM K. Murray
MM M. Monk
MR M. Raynaud
NC N. Clifford
PA P. Achiuwa
RW R. Westbrook
SC Schroder
BOS/SAC the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Brown scores 29 points and Celtics pull away in 4th quarter for 120-106 win over Kings
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- — Jaylen Brown had 29 points and 10 rebounds, and the Boston Celtics pulled away down the stretch to beat the Sacramento Kings 120-106 on Thursday night.
Brown shot 11 of 25, including 1 for 9 from 3-point distance, but made six free throws and added four assists before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. The four-time All-Star has been on a scoring tear lately, pouring in 20 or more points in 12 of his last 15 games.
Derrick White had 16 points and seven assists as Boston improved to 3-1 on its five-game trip. Payton Pritchard added 16 points and six assists.
Sam Hauser hit five 3-pointers to finish with 15 points, and Anfernee Simons scored 14 off the bench.
DeMar DeRozan led Sacramento with 25 points. Dennis Schroder scored 18 and Keon Ellis added 16. The Kings (8-26) have lost four of five and nine of 11.
White's tiebreaking 3-pointer gave the Celtics the lead for good, 93-90, with 10:45 remaining.
Sacramento pulled to 104-100 with 6:30 left before Brown converted a three-point play and White followed with another 3. Brown scored six points and White had five in an 11-2 run that gave Boston a 115-102 cushion with 2:50 to play.
Sacramento controlled much of the first half even though Boston connected on 10 3-pointers.
Precious Achiuwa had eight points in the first quarter to help the Kings erase an early eight-point deficit and lead 29-28.
The Celtics (21-12) trailed 61-56 late in the second but Brown made a pair of layups as part of a 6-0 spurt to end the half.
After Boston extended its lead to eight early in the third period, Sacramento put together its best surge of the night and took a four-point advantage before the teams headed into the fourth tied at 88.
Up next Celtics: Visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.