Celtics Host Pelicans After Fears' 40-Point Outburst

Boston looks to bounce back from loss as New Orleans visits on Friday night.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:23am

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An abstract, expressionist painting featuring a basketball player in motion, with vibrant neon colors and rapid brushstrokes capturing the raw energy and dynamism of the game.Jeremiah Fears' scoring outburst ignites the Pelicans' offense, setting the stage for a high-octane matchup with the Celtics.New Orleans Today

The Boston Celtics will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, with the Pelicans coming off a 156-137 win over the Utah Jazz in which Jeremiah Fears scored 40 points. The Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum, are 54-26 on the season and second in the Eastern Conference, while the Pelicans are 26-54 and 11th in the Western Conference.

Why it matters

This matchup features two teams heading in opposite directions, with the Celtics looking to bounce back from a loss and the Pelicans riding the momentum of Fears' big game. The Celtics have been one of the top teams in the East all season, while the Pelicans are struggling to find consistency.

The details

The Celtics have been dominant at home this season, going 28-11 at TD Garden. They rank seventh in the NBA in offensive rebounds per game, led by Neemias Queta. The Pelicans, on the other hand, have struggled on the road, going just 9-30 away from home. They've also had trouble against teams over .500, posting an 8-41 record in those games.

  • The game is scheduled for Friday, April 10, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. EDT.
  • The teams last met on October 28, with the Celtics winning 122-90.

The players

Jayson Tatum

The Celtics' star forward is averaging 21.1 points, 10 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.5 steals over the last 10 games.

Jeremiah Fears

The Pelicans' guard scored 40 points in their last game against the Utah Jazz.

Neemias Queta

The Celtics' center is averaging 3.0 offensive rebounds per game, helping Boston rank seventh in the league in that category.

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What they’re saying

“We must be ready for a motivated Pelicans team after Fears' big game. They'll be looking to carry that momentum into Boston.”

— Ime Udoka, Celtics Head Coach

What’s next

The Celtics will look to bounce back from their recent loss and maintain their position in the Eastern Conference standings. The Pelicans will try to build on Fears' strong performance and pull off an upset on the road.

The takeaway

This game showcases the stark contrast between the Celtics, who are one of the top teams in the NBA, and the struggling Pelicans. However, the Pelicans' recent performance, led by Jeremiah Fears, suggests they could pose a challenge for the Celtics if Boston is not fully focused.