The Raptors came into the game winners of 3 in a row and 5 of 6 — they left Boston losers of 1 in a row. Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser and Derrick White all scored 18 points or more as Boston beat
Toronto, 125-117.
Josh Minott once again joined Jayson Tatum on the injury report after missing Wednesday’s loss to the Nuggets as well. The Celtics started their usuals of Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Jaylen Brown and Neemias Queta. The Raptors were without three starters, as Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram both missed a game for the first time this season. Toronto was also without Jakob Poeltl. As a result, they started Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Ja’Kobe Walter, Collin Murray-Boyles and Sandro Mamukelashvili.
Both teams got off to hot starts, but the Celtics were just a little more hot. They made 7 of their first 8 shots with Payton Pritchard leading the way with 7 points and Sam Hauser with 6 points. Boston led 19-13 and Toronto called timeout.
The Celtics had their best percentage for a first quarter this season, shooting 65% in the period and they led the Raptors, 37-30. Sam Hauser led the team with 12 points, going 4/5 from three in the first quarter.
Sam Hauser scored a team high 12 points in the 1st quarter, going 4-5 from deep. #Celtics pic.twitter.com/ELnMyr3Tue
— Jack Aylmer (@Jack_Aylmer) January 10, 2026
The Celtics were humming on offense but could not stop the Raptors without their two best players. Over the first 17 minutes of the game, giving up 44 points with 55% from the field and 54% from three. Toronto was hot, but the C’s were not helping themselves on the defensive end.
At the end of the first half, the Celtics led 68-60. Both teams shot the ball well: 61% for Boston and 47% for Toronto. Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard were all in double figures for the Celtics while former Knicks RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley led Toronto with 12 points each.
The Celtics turned up their defense in the third quarter. Over the first 6 minutes of the quarter, they held the Raptors to 11 points and 4/13 from the field. It carried the Celtics on a 20-6 run a they took a 17-point lead.
During that stretch, Neemias Queta had one of the craziest baskets you will see.
One of the more unique alley-oops you'll ever see
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) January 10, 2026
Payton Pritchard ➡️ Neemias Queta pic.twitter.com/gB8gw10RgI
Not a very good pass from Pritchard, but Queta is able to roll the ball off of his hands and into the hoop.
The Raptors closed the quarter well, finishing on a 13-4 run. The Celtics led at the end of the third with 97-86 after leading 93-73. Payton Pritchard led the Celtics with 23 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Jaylen Brown chipped in 19 points of his own with 10/10 from the foul line.
Toronto continued to hang around and they got within 6, at 99-93, which led to a Joe Mazzulla timeout.
Then, Jaylen Brown dunked on the entire country of Canada.
JAYLEN BROWN POSTER SLAM 💥💥
— NBA (@NBA) January 10, 2026
Throws it down with AUTHORITY!
Tap to watch: https://t.co/qb99oiDyq1 pic.twitter.com/hEfr2nzbx4
— Céad Míle Fáilte (@ColeyMick) January 10, 2026
That seemed to wake the Celtics up as the Raptors never got within 6.
Boston won the game, improving to 3-0 against the Raptors this season, 125-117. Jaylen Brown had 25 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists and Payton Pritchard had 27 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds. Sam Hauser added 19 points while Derrick White had 18 points of his own.
The Celtics shot 53% from the field and 50% from three while the Raptors shot 48% from the field and 38% from three. Boston’s next game is Saturday night against the Spurs at 8 EST as they wrap up a four-game home stand at TD Garden.
