Celtics Rout Kings Behind Pritchard's Hot Shooting

Payton Pritchard scores 29 points as Boston bounces back from lopsided loss

Jan. 30, 2026 at 9:15pm

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The Boston Celtics cruised to a 112-93 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Friday night, led by a dominant first-half performance from guard Payton Pritchard. Pritchard scored 22 of his 29 points before halftime, adding 8 assists, as the Celtics built a 26-point lead by the break. Baylor Scheierman also had a strong game for Boston with 16 points, while Neemias Queta recorded a double-double off the bench. The win came after the Celtics suffered a double-digit loss at home earlier in the week.

Why it matters

The Celtics needed to bounce back after a rare home loss, and they took care of business against a shorthanded Kings team. Pritchard's scoring outburst helped make up for the absence of injured star Jaylen Brown, showing the Celtics' depth. The win keeps Boston firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

The details

The Celtics jumped out to an 11-1 lead early and never looked back, leading by as many as 26 points in the first half. Pritchard was the catalyst, shooting 9-for-11 from the field and 4-for-4 from three-point range before halftime. Boston's defense also stifled the Kings, holding them to just 33.3% shooting on two-pointers in the first half. Scheierman provided a spark off the bench with four three-pointers, while Queta recorded a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds.

  • The Celtics lost by double digits at home on Wednesday, their first such defeat since November 1st.

The players

Payton Pritchard

A Celtics guard who scored 29 points, including 22 in the first half, to lead Boston to the win.

Baylor Scheierman

A Celtics wing who scored 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 4-for-7 from three-point range, in a starting role with Jaylen Brown out.

Neemias Queta

A Celtics big man who recorded a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds in his return from illness.

Jaylen Brown

A Celtics star who missed the game due to hamstring and knee injuries.

Doug Christie

The head coach of the Sacramento Kings.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

The Celtics showed their depth and resilience in bouncing back from a rare home loss, as Payton Pritchard's hot shooting and a stifling defensive effort led the way to a comfortable win over the struggling Kings.