The Celtics ended 2025 on a high note, with a dazzling defensive performance by guard Derrick White leading the way to victory over the Jazz on Tuesday.
On the first day of 2026, the Celtics will look to maintain their momentum on the fourth stop of a five-game road trip. The Celtics have won five of their last six, including road wins at Indiana and Utah sandwiched around a loss at Portland.
The Kings are having a lousy season, with losses in 12 of their last 15 games, including a pair of routs by the Los Angeles teams in Sacramento’s last two outings. The Lakers blew past the Kings 125-101 on Sunday and the Clippers whipped the Kings 131-90 on Tuesday. The 41-point loss against the Clippers matched Sacramento’s worst margin of defeat this season.
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When: Thursday, 10 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento
TV, radio: NBCSB, WBZ-FM 98.5
Line: Boston -9.5. O/U: 227.5.
CELTICS
Season record: 20-12. vs. spread: 18-14. Over/under: 15-17
Last 10 games: 7-3. vs. spread: 6-4. Over/under: 5-5
KINGS
Season record: 8-25. vs. spread: 12-21. Over/under: 15-18
Last 10 games: 2-8. vs. spread: 4-6. Over/under: 5-5
TEAM STATISTICS
Points per game: Boston 116.9, Sacramento 111.0
Points allowed per game: Boston 110.8, Sacramento 122.3
Field goal percentage: Boston .473, Sacramento .461
Opponent field goal percentage: Boston .449, Sacramento .497
3-point percentage: Boston .362, Sacramento .349
Opponent 3-point percentage: Boston .370, Sacramento .361
Stats of the day: Derrick White averaged 22.3 points, 5.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in December. He also hit 50 3-pointers.
Notes: Jaylen Brown’s streak of 30-point games ended Tuesday at nine. Brown averaged 31.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in December. … Kings rookie Nique Clifford, a first-round draft pick, scored a season-high 18 points in 29 minutes for his fifth double-digit scoring output of the month on Tuesday. The former Colorado State star is averaging 5.8 points in 18.8 minutes per game. … Second-round draft pick Maxime Raynaud has been making an impact with Domantas Sabonis (left knee) sidelined. The center had 12 points and 12 rebounds against the Clippers for his sixth double-double of the month. The Stanford product is averaging 10.6 points and 6.3 rebounds in 25 games (11 starts). … The Kings and Celtics split two games last season, but Boston has prevailed in seven of the past eight matchups. … The Celtics wrap up their road trip on Saturday against the Clippers in Los Angeles.
Bob Ryan gives out superlatives to the best game, favorite moment, and more for his top picks from 2025.
Matt Pepin can be reached at [email protected].
