Lead
On Jan. 1, 2026 in Sacramento, the Boston Celtics rallied late to defeat the Sacramento Kings 120-106. Jaylen Brown paced Boston with 29 points and 10 rebounds, while Derrick White’s key 3-pointer gave the Celtics the lead for good in the fourth quarter. Boston pulled away with an 11-2 run in the final three minutes of the game and improved to 21-12 on the season. Sacramento fell to 8-26 after the loss, marking another disappointing result in a stretch that has seen nine defeats in 11 games.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Celtics 120, Kings 106 — Boston scored the decisive points in the last 3 minutes to secure the win.
- Leading performance: Jaylen Brown posted 29 points and 10 rebounds, fouling out late in the fourth.
- Supporting cast: Derrick White contributed 16 points and seven assists; Payton Pritchard added 16 points and six assists.
- Bench scoring: Sam Hauser hit five 3-pointers en route to 15 points; Anfernee Simons scored 14 off the bench for Boston.
- Kings leaders: DeMar DeRozan led Sacramento with 25 points; Dennis Schroder had 18 and Keon Ellis 16.
- Shot profile: Boston made 10 3-pointers despite trailing for much of the first half.
- Road trip: The Celtics are 3-1 on their five-game trip following the victory in Sacramento.
Background
Boston entered the game seeking momentum during a five-game road swing; the Celtics were 20-12 before the matchup and improved to 21-12 with the win. Jaylen Brown has been a consistent scorer this season and entered the night on a notable stretch—he’s scored 20 or more points in 12 of his last 15 games. Boston’s rotation depends heavily on perimeter shooting and guard play, with Derrick White and Payton Pritchard taking major ball-handling and creation responsibilities.
Sacramento arrived with an 8-25 record and was mired in a slump that saw nine losses over their last 11 games. The Kings have leaned on veterans such as DeMar DeRozan and Dennis Schroder for scoring and playmaking, while younger pieces like Keon Ellis and Precious Achiuwa provide defensive energy and spacing. Sacramento’s inconsistency on defense and in closing possessions has contributed to the recent stretch of losses.
Main Event
The decisive sequence began when Derrick White buried a go-ahead 3-pointer to put Boston up 93-90 with 10:45 remaining in the fourth quarter. Sacramento later closed to 104-100 with 6:30 left, but Brown answered with a three-point play and White followed with another three to stem the run. Those buckets were part of an 11-2 closing run in which Brown scored six and White five, giving Boston a 115-102 lead with 2:50 to play.
Brown finished 11 of 25 from the field and was 1 of 9 from beyond the arc, but he made six free throws and collected 10 rebounds before fouling out late. White’s contributions went beyond scoring; his seven assists helped sustain Boston’s offense across the second half. Payton Pritchard provided stable scoring and playmaking in relief, while Sam Hauser’s five made 3s supplied critical spacing.
Sacramento controlled large stretches of the first half despite Boston hitting 10 triples overall. Precious Achiuwa scored eight points in the first quarter to help the Kings erase an early deficit and take a 29-28 lead after 12 minutes. Late in the second quarter Boston trailed 61-56, but Brown closed the half with a pair of layups as part of a 6-0 burst to make it a one-possession game at intermission.
The third quarter featured the Kings’ best sustained stretch, during which Sacramento built a four-point advantage before the period concluded with the teams tied at 88. In the fourth, Boston executed better in the paint and protected the ball more effectively, enabling the late run that decided the contest.
Analysis & Implications
Boston’s win highlighted two durable strengths: Brown’s ability to produce in isolation and the team’s depth of perimeter shooters. Even with a poor 3-point night from Brown himself (1-for-9), the Celtics balanced scoring through White, Pritchard, Hauser and bench contributions, illustrating a multi-source offense that can overcome a single cold shooting night.
Derrick White’s clutch shooting and playmaking in the fourth quarter underscores his growing role as a late-game decision-maker for Boston. The Celtics’ capacity to string together a decisive run—an 11-2 finish here—suggests they can close out games against middling opponents, a valuable trait during the long regular season and especially important on the road.
For Sacramento, the loss intensifies concerns about consistency on both ends. DeRozan’s 25 points were a bright spot, but the Kings’ bench and defensive lapses in the final stretch left them unable to answer Boston’s momentum. If the Kings do not shore up late-game defense and turnover control, the current slide (nine losses in 11 games) could hinder playoff hopes and prompt roster adjustments.
Comparison & Data
| Team | Record (after game) | Top Scorer | Bench Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | 21-12 | Jaylen Brown — 29 pts, 10 reb | Sam Hauser — 15 pts (5 3s) |
| Sacramento Kings | 8-26 | DeMar DeRozan — 25 pts | Anfernee Simons — 14 pts |
The table summarizes records and leading performances. Boston’s efficiency in late possessions and bench spacing contrasted with Sacramento’s inability to close defensively. Over the past 11 games the Kings have posted a 2-9 mark, while the Celtics have used a stronger defensive identity to stabilize win probability in close games.
Reactions & Quotes
Postgame reactions focused on Boston’s late execution and Sacramento’s missed opportunities. Team staff and local coverage emphasized the significance of White’s fourth-quarter decision-making and Brown’s scoring output despite foul trouble.
As reported in local coverage, White’s fourth-quarter 3 gave Boston a lead they would not relinquish.
ESPN (game recap)
That shot changed the game’s tone, shifting momentum toward Boston and forcing Sacramento to chase in the final minutes. Analysts noted that the Kings had chances to tighten the margin but were unable to sustain defensive stops when it mattered.
Game summaries highlighted Brown’s double-double and the Celtics’ late 11-2 run that sealed the outcome.
AP News (game summary)
Commentators pointed out Boston’s complementary scoring and how bench shooting created driving lanes for Brown and White in the fourth. Sacramento media noted DeRozan’s consistent scoring but questioned the team’s late-game execution and rotations.
Unconfirmed
- There are no independent confirmations of new injuries or roster moves related to this game beyond standard team postgame evaluations; official updates will come from team medical staff.
Bottom Line
Boston’s 120-106 victory in Sacramento was defined by late-game execution: Derrick White’s go-ahead 3 and an 11-2 closing run, supported by Jaylen Brown’s 29 points and 10 rebounds. The win gives the Celtics momentum on a long road trip and underlines their capacity to close out games even when a primary scorer struggles from deep.
For the Kings, the loss extends a troubling stretch and highlights the gap between individual scoring performances and team outcomes. Sacramento will need to tighten late-game defense and find more consistent bench production as they prepare to face the Phoenix Suns in their next matchup.