The Celtics kicked off 2026 with a New Year’s Day victory, racing away from the Kings to win 120-106.
The Celtics kicked off 2026 with a win Thursday night in Sacramento, knocking off the Kings 120-106 on New Year’s Day.
Tied after three quarters, Boston outscored its hosts 32-18 in the fourth, with Derrick White scoring 14 of his 16 points in the final frame.
Jaylen Brown tallied 29 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out with two minutes remaining. Reserves Sam Hauser (15 points), Anfernee Simons (14 points) and Luka Garza (11 points) all scored in double figures on a standout night for the Celtics’ bench.
Boston’s bench players shot a combined 70.6% from 3-point range (12-for-17) in the win, offsetting shakier outside shooting from Brown (1-for-9 from three), White (2-for-7) and Payton Pritchard (2-for-8). Rookie Hugo Gonzalez attempted just two shots in his 19 minutes off the bench but pulled down seven rebounds and was a team-best plus-20.
With the win, the Celtics improved to 3-1 on their season-long five-game road trip and 21-12 overall, just two games back of the New York Knicks for second place in the Eastern Conference.
