Celtics 144, Pelicans 118: Boston Sets Early Tone

The Boston Celtics defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 144-118 on Friday, April 10, 2026, at TD Garden, building a commanding early lead behind Sam Hauser’s team-high 24 points in a balanced offensive performance that carried Boston to its 55th win of the season.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Boston took control almost immediately, outscoring New Orleans 44-25 in the opening quarter. The Celtics moved the ball cleanly, found quality looks from the perimeter, and put pressure on the Pelicans’ defense with a fast-paced offensive start. That 19-point margin set the direction for the rest of the night.

Second Quarter

The Celtics kept the momentum going in the second, adding another 38 points while limiting New Orleans to 26. By halftime, Boston had built an 82-51 lead, a reflection of its efficient shot-making and consistent playmaking. The Pelicans struggled to keep pace as Boston continued to generate open three-point attempts.

Third Quarter

New Orleans showed more offensive rhythm after the break and scored 31 points in the third, but Boston still matched enough of that output with 34 points of its own. Any chance of a sustained comeback was limited as the Celtics continued to answer with timely baskets and maintained a comfortable cushion entering the fourth.

Fourth Quarter

The Pelicans won the final period 36-28, led by continued production from Jeremiah Fears and interior work from Derik Queen and Josh Oduro. Still, the deficit was too large to seriously threaten Boston’s advantage. The Celtics managed the closing minutes well and came away with a 26-point home win.

Key Performers

Boston Celtics:
Sam Hauser led Boston with 24 points and added six rebounds, finishing as the Celtics’ top scorer in a game where the offense stayed productive throughout. Neemias Queta pulled down 10 rebounds, helping Boston stay even on the glass, while Payton Pritchard handed out 10 assists to guide an offense that totaled 34 assists and 29 made three-pointers.

New Orleans Pelicans:
Jeremiah Fears led all scorers with 36 points and added six assists, continuing to create offense even while playing from behind. Derik Queen delivered an efficient all-around stat line with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks, and Josh Oduro added 12 rebounds to help New Orleans match Boston’s total of 44 boards.

NerdSports Stat: Boston scored 82 first-half points and finished with 29 made threes, meaning the Celtics produced nearly 60.4% of their total offense from beyond the arc.

Game Analysis

This game largely came down to shot quality and early execution. Boston shot 54.2% from the field and 49.2% from three, going 29-for-59 from deep. That level of perimeter efficiency gave the Celtics a margin New Orleans could not overcome, especially after the home team posted 44 points in the opening quarter and 82 by halftime.

The ball movement was another separator. Boston recorded 34 assists compared with 24 for New Orleans, and that passing consistently led to clean catch-and-shoot opportunities. Even though both teams finished with 44 rebounds and each attempted 96 field goals, the Celtics made eight more shots overall and 20 more three-pointers, a gap that defined the final score.

For New Orleans, there were still productive individual performances. Fears’ 36 points and Queen’s 25-point, 11-rebound outing gave the Pelicans real offensive positives to build on. But the Pelicans shot just 28.1% from beyond the arc, making only nine threes, and that left them chasing Boston’s scoring pace all night.

Closing Context

With the win, Boston improved to 55-26 and 29-11 at home, reinforcing its strong position in the Eastern Conference heading into the regular season’s final stretch. New Orleans dropped to 26-55 and 9-31 on the road. For the Celtics, this was the kind of efficient, high-output performance that supports playoff momentum, while the Pelicans will look to carry individual bright spots forward.

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