Celtics Score Team-Record 53 Points in 1st Quarter at Miami

Boston's barrage ties for the second-highest-scoring first quarter in NBA regular-season history.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 1:05am

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The Boston Celtics scored a franchise-record 53 points in the first quarter of their game against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night, tying for the second-highest-scoring opening quarter in NBA regular-season history. The Celtics shot an incredible 20-for-28 from the field and 11-for-15 from 3-point range, led by Jaylen Brown's 20 points and Sam Hauser's five 3-pointers.

Why it matters

This historic scoring outburst by the Celtics showcases the team's offensive firepower and ability to overwhelm opponents early in games. It also highlights the continued evolution of the NBA towards high-scoring, 3-point heavy offenses that can quickly build insurmountable leads.

The details

The Celtics' 53-point first quarter is the biggest-scoring opening frame in franchise history, surpassing their previous record of 54 points in a quarter set in 1970. It is also tied for the second-highest-scoring first quarter in NBA regular-season history, trailing only Golden State's 55-point explosion in 2023. Boston shot an incredible 71.4% from the field and 73.3% from 3-point range in the quarter, led by Jaylen Brown's 20 points and Sam Hauser's five 3-pointers.

  • The Celtics scored 53 points in the first quarter on Wednesday, April 2, 2026.

The players

Jaylen Brown

A star forward for the Boston Celtics who scored 20 points in the record-setting first quarter.

Sam Hauser

A Celtics guard who went 5-for-5 from 3-point range in the first quarter, finishing with 17 points.

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What they’re saying

“We came out with a lot of energy and our shots were falling. When we're clicking like that, it's tough for teams to keep up.”

— Jaylen Brown, Celtics Forward

The takeaway

The Celtics' historic first-quarter performance showcases the team's offensive firepower and ability to overwhelm opponents early in games. This type of explosive scoring outburst is becoming more common in the modern NBA, as teams increasingly rely on 3-point shooting to build big leads quickly.