Pritchard scores 29 points to lead Celtics to dominant 112-93 win over Kings

BOSTON (AP) — Payton Pritchard scored 29 points, Baylor Scheierman had 16 and the Boston Celtics rolled to a 112-93 win over the Sacramento Kings on Friday night.

Neemias Queta added 10 points and 15 rebounds for the Celtics, who rebounded from Wednesday’s home loss to Atlanta. Pritchard and Scheierman combined to shoot 9 of 13 from the 3-point line, while Derek White had nine assists.

Zach LaVine scored 17 points for Sacramento, which has lost eight in a row and played on the second night of a back-to-back Nique Clifford added 15 points.

Pritchard had 22 points and eight assists through two quarters as the Celtics held a commanding 72-46 lead entering the second half. Boston opened the game by hitting its first five shots and was 8 of 10 en route to a 15-point advantage after one quarter.

After Scheierman’s layup gave the Celtics a 21-point lead with 2:27 left in the opening half, the guard who started in place for the injured Jaylen Brown stayed hot with a 3-pointer that came with just over a minute left before halftime.

Even with Boston building on its already comfortable advantage in the third quarter, coach Joe Mazzulla challenged two calls and was successful each time. In the same quarter, the Celtics’ lead peaked at 31 points.

Brown was ruled out of Friday’s game with hamstring tightness and a knee contusion. His absence – his fourth of the season – coincided with a Brown bobblehead giveaway.

The Kings were missing Domantas Sabonis (knee), Keegan Murray (left ankle sprain) and Russell Westbrook (right foot soreness). Malik Monk returned to Sacramento's lineup after missing Thursday’s game against Philadelphia.

Sacramento dropped to 3-22 on the road and 0-5 on its six-game road trip.

Members of the AFC champion New England Patriots were shown on the TD Garden videoboard during a pair of first-half timeouts. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez sat next to the scoring table, with DeMario Douglas, Jaylinn Hawkins, Craig Woodson and Kyle Williams also on hand.

Kings: Play the Wizards at Washington on Sunday night.

Celtics: Host the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez, center, sits courtside during the second half of an NBA basketball game between the Boston Celtics and the Sacramento Kings, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (8) looks to shoot over Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Sacramento Kings guard Isaiah Stevens dunks against the Boston Celtics during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman (55) takes a shot against the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard, center, drives through the Sacramento Kings' defense during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Saddiq Bey and Derik Queen each had 22 points, Zion Williamson added 21 and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Memphis Grizzlies 114-106 on Friday night.

Williamson had his fourth consecutive game with 20-plus points. Herb Jones added 16 points to help the Pelicans improve to 13-37.

Cam Spencer and Jaren Jackson, Jr. each had 16 points for Memphis. Cedric Coward added 13 and Jock Landale had 12. The Grizzlies are 18-28.

Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant was inactive for the fourth consecutive game because of a sprained left elbow. Morant, who last played Jan. 21 against Atlanta, has missed 25 games this season.

New Orleans outscored Memphis 35-15 in the third quarter to take a 93-76 lead.

The Pelicans made five 3-pointers in the third quarter, including three from Jose Alvarado. New Orleans was just as stout on the defensive end, holding the Grizzlies to its second-lowest scoring quarter of the season.

Grizzlies: Host Minnesota on Saturday night

Pelicans: At Philadelphia on Saturday night

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Memphis Grizzlies center Jock Landale (31) looks to pass around New Orleans Pelicans center Derik Queen (22) and forward Trey Murphy III (25) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears (0) passes around Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears (0) drives to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Williams Jr. in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans center Derik Queen (22) drives to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies center Jock Landale in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (25) shoots against Memphis Grizzlies center Jock Landale (31) and forward GG Jackson in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)