Celtics Dominate Fourth Quarter to Defeat Kings 120-106

Celtics Secure Victory in Sacramento

The Boston Celtics continued their strong form on the road, defeating the Sacramento Kings 120-106 on Thursday night, 1 January 2026. The victory marked an important win for the Celtics as they improved their road record and maintained their position near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

Brown Leads Celtics Offensive Charge

Jaylen Brown had 29 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Celtics, whilst Derrick White contributed 16 points and seven assists, with Payton Pritchard adding 16 points and six assists. Sam Hauser hit five 3-pointers to finish with 15 points, showcasing the depth of Boston’s offensive arsenal. Brown has been on a scoring tear lately, pouring in 20 or more points in 12 of his last 15 games.

Kings Competitive Through Three Quarters

The match remained competitive for the majority of the contest. The Sacramento Kings made it a close game for three quarters, with DeMar DeRozan leading Sacramento with 25 points. The game was tied at 88 at the start of the fourth, but Boston outscored Sacramento 32-18 to close out the game. The Kings struggled with consistency, particularly from beyond the arc, where they started strong but cooled significantly as the match progressed.

Implications for Both Teams

The result continues the contrasting fortunes of both franchises this season. Sacramento now sits at 8-26, having lost three straight games and is now a season-worst 18 games under the .500 mark. Meanwhile, the Celtics improved to 21-12 overall and demonstrated why they remain championship contenders. The Kings have now lost five straight home games to Boston, with their last win coming in February 2021, highlighting Boston’s dominance in this matchup in recent years.