Boston sweeps Pelicans to avoid worst start in 50 years

ByNBAUSA



The Boston Celtics expected to struggle more than usual in the 2025-26 regular season, but not so much that they went down in history. The C’s haven’t started 0-4 since the 1970-71 campaign. However, going into the showdown on Monday night with New Orleans Pelicansthere was a chance they could match that dismal feat played more than five decades ago.

Instead, the Celtics came alive in the fourth quarter and beat the Pelicans 122-90 at the Smoothie King Center, giving them their first win of the new season. Boston outscored New Orleans 35-12 in the final frame to extend an 11-point halftime lead to 20 with 4:49 left.

From there, the unmanned pelicans could not recover. They were without two-time All-Star Zion Williamson due to a bone contusion in his left foot. Plus, fellow Pelicans center Kevon Looney he is still recovering from a knee injury and has yet to suit up for his new team.

With New Orleans without some of its best players, Boston took advantage. The The Celtics really dominated the glass for the first time all seasongrabbing 66 boards to the Pelicans’ 46. They also dominated on defense, as they posted — with four of them coming from Celtic center Neemias Cueto — while the Pels failed to manage a single one.

On the offensive side of the ball, the first-year Celtic Anfernee Simmons led all scorers with 25 points off the bench in 32 minutes. His 12 points in the fourth quarter matched all of the Pelicans’ scoring in the final 15 minutes of the game.

Although the Celtics usually look at the four-time All-Star Jailen Brown for the goal, the star guard had foul trouble in the second half and played only 24 minutes in total. Despite an early exit in the fourth quarter, he still finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Perhaps Boston’s biggest addition to the starting lineup came from an unlikely source. Forward Josh Minot made his first NBA start and posted a career-high 15 points. His energy on both ends of the floor will be necessary if the C’s are to routinely play at the faster pace they prefer.

The 1-3 Celtics won’t have much time to celebrate their big win. On Wednesday night, they host the 3-1 Cleveland Cavaliers, who just topped the Detroit Pistons by 21 points. Boston fell to Detroit before beating New Orleans, so they’ll need their A-game against a strong Cleveland team looking to win the Eastern Conference.





2025-10-28 03:29:00

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