Three Studs, Three Duds From Celtics’ Loss To Shorthanded Kings
The Celtics returned home from a 3-1 road trip with an uncharacteristic loss to the shorthanded Sacramento Kings on Friday night at TD Garden to fall to 27-11 on the season.
The Kings held a seven-point lead at the end of the first quarter, but thanks in part to a 7-0 run, the Celtics erased the deficit and took the lead midway through the second.
The Celtics held the lead through the middle two quarters before the Kings turned the tables on the defending champions with a 6-0 run to begin the fourth quarter. The Kings continued to extend their lead, gaining their first win over Boston in three years.
Here are three studs and three duds from the Celtics’ 114-97 loss to the Kings.
STUDS
Domantas Sabonis
The Kings forward dominated the glass for Sacramento. He collected 28 boards, including 20 off Celtics shots, not allowing Boston to get in a rhythm with second-chance points. Along with his huge night in the glass, Sabonis dropped 23 points, including going 3-for-4 from downtown.
Jaylen Brown
Brown led all scorers in the game with 28 points in the loss on 9-for-19 shooting with five assists in 35 minutes.
He knocked down 10 quick points in the first quarter but only managed three points in the second before scoring 15 in the second half.
Keegan Murray
Murray scored just 19 points for the Kings, but he knocked down three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to help Sacramento close out Boston. He added three rebounds, three blocks and two steals in 37 minutes.
DUDS
Derrick White
While everyone is clamoring for White to get his first All-Star nod, the Celtics guard had a very un-White-like game.
White had just three points on 1-for-8 shooting, with one rebound, three assists and two blocks through 27 minutes.
Jrue Holiday
Like White, Holiday didn’t help the Celtics backcourt in the loss. He was 2-for-4 from the field, with one three-pointer for 5 points. Holiday grabbed five rebounds and added two assists in 28 minutes.
Jayson Tatum
Tatum committed eight turnovers in the Celtics loss, which contributed to the Kings’ 16 points off Boston’s turnovers.
He had an off-night shooting, connecting on just five of his 13 shots for 15 points. Tatum did collect 12 rebounds in his 35 minutes.