Celtics match NBA record with 29 three-pointers; secure No. 2 seed
BOSTON — Sam Hauser scored 24 points, hitting eight 3-pointers, as the Boston Celtics matched the franchise and NBA record with 29 three-pointers in a 144-118 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, securing the No. 2 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.
Jaylen Brown contributed 23 points in 29 minutes, resting for the entire fourth quarter. Payton Pritchard added 21 points and 10 assists for Boston, which also secured the Atlantic Division title.
The Celtics’ 29 three-pointers equal their previous record set on October 22, 2024, against the Knicks. The Memphis Grizzlies (April 6 vs. Cleveland) and Milwaukee Bucks (December 29, 2020, at Miami) also hold the same record.
Big man Neemias Queta joined in, making his first career 3-pointer while also grabbing 10 rebounds. Seven different Celtics players recorded at least two three-pointers.
Boston led by as much as 41 points against a Pelicans squad that was missing several key players.
The barrage of three-pointers was sparked by Brown, who returned to the lineup after missing Thursday’s loss at New York due to left Achilles tendinitis, scoring 12 points in the first quarter to help the Celtics establish an early 22-point lead.
Boston achieved this feat without Jayson Tatum, who has not played on consecutive nights since his return from Achilles tendon surgery and was rested for the game.
