The Boston Celtics' four-game trip out west to begin 2025 was expected to be among their most difficult stretches of the season. They've stepped up to the challenge with a perfect start to the New Year.
Boston's road trip began with a back-to-back vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday and the Houston Rockets on Friday. It followed its 118-115 win over Minnesota with a 109-86 victory in Houston despite missing Jaylen Brown (shoulder) for both matchups.
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The C's limped into the trip with four losses over their last seven games. Their struggles came at a less-than-ideal time with a daunting four-game slate looming, but Payton Pritchard personified the team's mental toughness after Friday's triumph.
"This was not an easy back-to-back, but no excuses," Pritchard told NBC Sports Boston's Abby Chin. "Got to get the job done, and we came out today and competed at a very high level and set the tone, especially in the second half, and got the W. So this is how it's got to be for the rest of the year."
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Boston took a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter, then went on an 11-0 run with superstar Jayson Tatum on the bench to begin the frame. It capped off the 23-point victory with a barrage of 3-pointers to finish the night 19-of-39 (48.7 percent) from beyond the arc.
Unsurprisingly, Pritchard was at the center of it all. The NBA Sixth Man of the Year frontrunner ended up with 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting (4-6 3-PT) off the bench, including a dagger 3-pointer in the fourth.
"I try to have a complete game," Pritchard told Chin. "I'm not just a 3-point shooter, I'm a complete ball player. I can hit the mid-range if I need to. I can attack the rim, even though I've been missing some left-hand layups. It's been frustrating, but I hit a couple tonight, so I just, you know, showing off the full arsenal. So I've got to take what the defense gives me."
Also starring for the Celtics were Derrick White (23 points, 6-12 3-PT) and Jayson Tatum (20 points, 4-10 3-PT). Jrue Holiday chipped in 14 points, including 12 in the first quarter. Kristaps Porzingis notched 11 points and five rebounds after missing the last four games with a left ankle sprain.
The Celtics' next test will come against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday in a potential NBA Finals preview. OKC enters on a 14-game win streak and leads the Western Conference with a 29-5 record.
Tip-off for Sunday's showdown is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston. Coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. with Celtics Pregame Live.
