Celtics Dominate Kings in Blowout Win

Payton Pritchard's pick-and-roll chemistry with Neemias Queta sparks Boston's offense in first half

Jan. 30, 2026 at 11:39pm

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The Boston Celtics cruised to a blowout victory over the Sacramento Kings on Friday night at TD Garden, led by a dominant first-half performance. Payton Pritchard and Neemias Queta's pick-and-roll offense was the key to the Celtics' early success, with Pritchard scoring efficiently and Queta providing strong screens and lob finishes. Baylor Scheierman also stepped up in Jaylen Brown's absence, playing strong two-way basketball. However, the Celtics' offense slumped in the second half as the Kings adjusted their defense, leading to a lopsided final score.

Why it matters

The Celtics' blowout win over the Kings showcases the team's depth and versatility, as they were able to overcome the absence of star Jaylen Brown. Pritchard's pick-and-roll chemistry with the developing Queta is an encouraging sign for Boston's offense, while Scheierman's performance demonstrates the team's ability to plug in role players when needed. The game also highlighted the Celtics' ability to make in-game adjustments, though they'll look to maintain their offensive rhythm for a full 48 minutes.

The details

The Celtics jumped out to a hot start, with five of their first six baskets coming off the Pritchard-Queta pick-and-roll. Pritchard was dominant, hitting a stepback three over Zach LaVine as part of his efficient scoring night. Scheierman also impressed, playing strong defense on LaVine while knocking down shots on the other end. However, the Celtics' offense slowed in the second half as the Kings adjusted to a double-big, switching defense, forcing Boston to quickly recognize and adapt to the new scheme.

  • The Celtics jumped out to a 72-point first half, shooting 65.1% from the field and 47.8% from three-point range.
  • Boston's offense slumped in the second half, scoring only 40 points on 28% shooting from the field and 28% from three-point range.

The players

Payton Pritchard

The Celtics guard had a dominant offensive performance, leading the team's pick-and-roll attack with Neemias Queta and showcasing his elite isolation scoring ability.

Neemias Queta

The Celtics' big man provided strong screens and lob finishes in the pick-and-roll with Pritchard, helping to spark Boston's offense in the first half.

Baylor Scheierman

The Celtics' starting forward in place of the injured Jaylen Brown played excellent two-way basketball, guarding Zach LaVine while also contributing 16 points on efficient shooting.

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What they’re saying

“Just constant coverage recognition. The right screen, the right type of roll, the right pass, the right pace that you play. Both guys take a ton of pride in their reads and their ability to make two-on-ones for themselves and for others.”

— Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Head Coach (bostonsportsjournal.com)

“There are ups and downs for sure. For a little bit, we feel like we can get everything we want in the pick-and-roll, but sometimes teams figure us out. I think we can also get better at it with time. We're just figuring out how to get better for each other.”

— Neemias Queta, Celtics Center (bostonsportsjournal.com)

What’s next

The Celtics will look to build on this dominant performance as they continue their push for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.

The takeaway

The Celtics' ability to overcome the absence of a star player like Jaylen Brown and still dominate an opponent showcases the team's depth and versatility. The pick-and-roll chemistry between Pritchard and Queta is an encouraging sign for Boston's offense, while Scheierman's strong two-way play demonstrates the team's ability to plug in role players when needed.