The Celtics blasted the Pelicans on Friday night, 144-118, in which they tied the single game three point record. It was the 2nd season in a row that Boston had a chance to break the three point record but were unable to do so. It was a big night for Neemias Queta, who made his first career three.
Jayson Tatum was the only Celtic who missed this game after playing last night in New York. Boston started Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, Jordan Walsh and Neemias Queta. The Pelicans had a lengthy
injury report, Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Dejounte Murray, Saddiq Bey, Bryce McGowens, Karlo Matkovic and Yves Missi all were held out. They started Jeremiah Fears, Jordan Poole, Micah Peavy, Derik Queen and Kevin Looney.
I was a little surprised that Jayson Tatum was the only player who sat after the Celtics game last night but I bet a lot of players sit out on Sunday.
Sam Hauser and Derrick White both made a pair of threes in the first 5 minutes of the game, these makes would have been appreciated last night.
The Celtics were leading the Pelicans 44-25 after the first quarter. Jaylen Brown led the team with 12 points while Payton Pritchard had 10 off of the bench.
Hugo Gonzalez first half minutes for first time in a while. He played well, hitting a three along with a nice drive and dunk along the baseline off of a closeout.
The Celtics led at halftime 82-51, another 80 point half for Boston. Brown had 20 points while Pritchard had 15 points and Nikola Vucevic had 11 points while being 4/4 from the field and 3/3 from three.
Sam Hauser was red hot from three in this game, at he hit his 6th three of the game 3:08 into the 3rd quarter to put the Celtics up by 40, 96-56.
Neemias Queta made his first career three in this game, he had previously been 0/10 in his career.
NEEMIAS QUETA FIRST CAREER THREE ‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/91V0p7eabq
— NikNBA🏀 (@NIKNBAYT) April 11, 2026
The Celtics were shooting the lights out of the three pointer, hitting 25 through 3 quarters. That is one shy of the NBA record, which the Celtics set last season on Banner night. Three pointers defined this game, through three quarters, the Pelicans had 6 to Boston’s 25. The Celtics were +57 from beyond the arc through three quarters.
Boston led New Orleans 116-82 through three quarters, Sam Hauser led the team with 24 points and 8 threes while Jaylen Brown had 24 points. Pritchard and Vucevic were also in double figures.
The 4th quarter was all about breaking the three point record. It is shared at 29 by three teams (including the 2024-25 Celtics) and all eyes were on could the Celtics get to 30 in this game.
Payton Pritchard hit the first of 5 needed with 9:12 to go in the quarter.
Pritchard also hit the second with 6:23 to go in the quarter.
Ron Harper Jr. hit the third with 5:38 to go in the quarter.
Hugo Gonzalez hit the fourth with 1:20 to go in the quarter.
Baylor Scheierman had a look to break the record but it back rimmed and the Celtics came up one three short ofd breaking the 3 point record for the 2nd consecutive season.
The Celtics ended dribbling out the clock instead of shooting the ball and ended up tying the record.
They beat the Pelicans 144-188.
Boston shot 54% from the field and 49% from three while the Pelicans shot 46% from the field and 28% from three. The Celtics final game of the regular season is Sunday night at 6 EST at TD Garden against the Magic
