In a dazzling display of offensive prowess, the Boston Celtics rewrite history, unveiling a level of balance rarely witnessed in the franchise’s storied past. Wednesday night’s 144-119 trouncing of the Sacramento Kings marked an unprecedented achievement: five Celtics players scoring 20 or more points. This historic rewriting of the books, the fifth occurrence in franchise history, hadn’t been seen since January 13, 1987.
Celtics Rewrite History with Five 20+ Point Scorers
Remarkably, this offensive onslaught occurred with key players Jayson Tatum and Al Horford sidelined. Adding to the drama, the Celtics bounced back from a challenging loss to Golden State just 24 hours earlier. Jaylen Brown and Derrick White spearheaded the attack, each contributing an impressive 28 points. Kristaps Porzingis made a triumphant return with 24 points, nine rebounds, and six blocks. Jrue Holiday delivered a season-high 21 points, accompanied by 10 rebounds, eight assists, and two steals. Not to be outdone, Payton Pritchard added 20 points, including six three-pointers.
The formidable fivesome combined for a staggering 121 points on 56.9 percent shooting, including a scorching 57.6 percent from beyond the arc on 19-of-33 attempts.
White, following his stellar 30-point performance against the Warriors, continued his hot streak, earning praise from head coach Joe Mazzulla, who boldly declared, “He is an All-Star.” Brown, a dynamo of energy, enthralled spectators with emphatic dunks, epitomized by a posterizing slam over Trey Lyles.
Porzingis, in a dazzling return, etched his name in Celtics history alongside legends Robert Parish and Kevin McHale. His versatile performance, combining 24 points, nine rebounds, and six blocks, left teammates in awe. White aptly described him as a “matchup nightmare.”
Pritchard etched his name in the record books with a franchise-best eighth game off the bench, registering at least five made three-pointers. Meanwhile, Holiday, adapting to a different role, showcased his versatility, coming tantalizingly close to a 20-point triple-double.
As the Celtics basked in the glory of this offensive spectacle, head coach Mazzulla acknowledged the team’s progress and the joy of witnessing players evolve in their roles. This scintillating performance sets the stage for a clash with the red-hot Los Angeles Clippers, who boast a league-best nine-game winning streak, adding a layer of anticipation and excitement to the upcoming matchup. The Celtics must maintain this momentum to navigate through the challenges that lie ahead in a fiercely competitive season.
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