Victory! Sabonis scores 23+28+3, Tatum shoots 13 for 5, a new record is set, and the ninth place in the West changes hands
On January 11, 2025, Beijing time, the 27-win and 10-loss Celtics faced the 18-win and 19-loss Kings at home. On paper, the Celtics had the advantage, but after the Kings changed coaches, their record soared, currently on a five-game winning streak. Could the Celtics defeat such a formidable opponent? The Celtics' starting lineup was Holiday, White, Brown, Tatum, and Porzingis, while the Kings were without Fox, starting Monk, Ellis, DeRozan, Murray, and Sabonis.
In the first quarter, Brown's hook shot and Porzingis' three-pointer were matched by Monk's three-pointer and DeRozan's mid-range jumper, with both teams tied at 5-5. Brown scored four consecutive points to give the Celtics a 9-5 lead, but Murray hit two three-pointers, followed by Porzingis' mid-range jumper and Sabonis' offensive rebound basket, allowing the Kings to take a 13-11 lead. Brown then scored four more points to regain the lead by two points. However, Sabonis, Ellis, and Monk's three-pointers and dunks put the Kings up by six points. Porzingis responded with a three-pointer, but Sabonis answered back with another three-pointer, maintaining a six-point lead. Kornet's layup was countered by Monk and Huerter, leaving the Kings with a nine-point lead. Tatum and Pritchard scored for the Celtics, but DeRozan and Carter responded, ending the first quarter with the Kings leading 34-27.
In the second quarter, Pritchard and Porzingis closed the gap, followed by Lyles' three-pointer. Horford, Porzingis, Holiday, and White scored consecutively, giving the Celtics a six-point lead. Lyles, Monk, and Ellis then took the lead by one point. Tatum, Kornet, and Pritchard extended the lead to four points. Monk, Lyles, and DeRozan scored for the Kings, but Brown and Tatum responded, with the Celtics leading 55-53 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Porzingis scored five consecutive points, giving the Celtics a seven-point lead. Monk and Sabonis scored for the Kings, but Tatum, Brown, and Holiday responded, extending the lead to eight points. DeRozan, Murray, and Sabonis scored for the Kings, but Tatum, Kornet, and Hauser responded, keeping the lead at four points. Murray and DeRozan tied the score, ending the third quarter with both teams tied at 76-76.
In the fourth quarter, Carter scored eight consecutive points, while the Celtics only managed two free throws from Porzingis, giving the Kings a six-point lead. Brown scored for the Celtics, but Sabonis, Murray, and DeRozan responded, extending the lead to 11 points. Porzingis and Brown scored again, but Monk, Murray, and DeRozan continued to score, increasing the lead to 15 points. Brown scored seven consecutive points, but DeRozan, Monk, and Sabonis responded, maintaining a 14-point lead with two minutes left in the game. The Celtics then benched their starters, and the Kings ultimately won 114-97, achieving a surprising victory without Fox and securing their sixth consecutive win.
Sabonis scored 23 points, grabbed 28 rebounds (a career-high and the highest rebound total in the league this season), and added three assists. DeRozan scored 24 points, grabbed four rebounds, and provided nine assists on 9-of-26 shooting. Monk contributed 22 points, three rebounds, and eight assists, while Murray had 19 points, three rebounds, and three blocks. Carter added 11 points and four rebounds.
Tatum scored 15 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and provided five assists on 5-of-13 shooting, with eight turnovers. Brown scored 28 points, grabbed one rebound, and provided five assists on 9-of-19 shooting. Porzingis scored 22 points, grabbed ten rebounds, and had two blocks on 6-of-15 shooting. Holiday scored five points and grabbed five rebounds on 2-of-4 shooting. White scored three points, grabbed one rebound, and provided three assists on 1-of-8 shooting, performing poorly.
After the win, the Kings' ranking soared, moving from 11th to ninth in the West. Despite the loss, the Celtics remained second in the East, but the gap between them and the Cavaliers and Thunder widened. The Celtics have not been performing well recently, appearing fatigued, while the Cavaliers and Thunder have been extremely strong this season, making them appear more likely to win the championship, changing the landscape of the league.