BOSTON — The Boston Celtics decisively defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 144-118 in an NBA game marked by a historic three-point barrage. With Sam Hauser scoring 24 points and making eight three-pointers, the Celtics tied the franchise and NBA record with 29 three-pointers, a victory that also secured them the second seed in the Eastern Conference and the Atlantic Division title in this final stretch of the NBA regular season.
The game began with a very high offensive pace from the Boston Celtics, who quickly made it clear that the night would be dominated by their outside shooting. Jaylen Brown, returning after missing the previous game due to left Achilles tendon soreness, set the tone from the opening tip. The wing scored 12 points in the first quarter, propelling the Celtics to an early lead that quickly surpassed the 20-point mark.
Boston Celtics' dominance expanded as the game progressed thanks to a constant barrage of three-pointers. Sam Hauser, one of the standout performers of the night, repeatedly punished the Pelicans from beyond the arc to finish with 24 points after making eight three-pointers. Alongside him, Payton Pritchard recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 assists, while Jaylen Brown added 23 points in just 29 minutes, resting throughout the entire fourth quarter.
The lead ballooned to 41 points, a reflection of Boston's absolute control over a New Orleans Pelicans team severely depleted by the absence of several key players. Even Neemias Queta joined the three-point festival by making the first three-pointer of his NBA career, while also grabbing 10 rebounds. In total, eight different Boston Celtics players made at least two three-pointers, fueling a collective performance that ended up tying the historic record of 29 three-pointers in an NBA game, a mark also shared by the Memphis Grizzlies (2026) and Milwaukee Bucks (2020).
On the New Orleans Pelicans side, young Jeremiah Fears led the scoring with 36 points, while Derik Queen contributed 25 points and 11 rebounds in an insufficient attempt to stop Boston's offensive onslaught.
The loss extends New Orleans Pelicans' struggles, as they have lost nine of their last ten games and will miss the NBA playoffs for the second consecutive year.
For the Boston Celtics, the victory carries significant competitive weight in the Eastern Conference standings, as it secures the second seed in the East and the Atlantic Division title, solidifying their privileged position heading into the NBA playoffs.