Celtics Secure First Win of Season Against Pelicans

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Boston Celtics earned their first victory of the season, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 122-90 on Monday night at the Smoothie King Center.

Anfernee Simons led the Celtics with 25 points, including six three-pointers, while Payton Pritchard contributed 18 points and eight assists. The Celtics pulled away from the Pelicans with a dominating 31-4 run in the final minutes of the game.

“We just stayed composed out there,” Simons said after the game. “It felt good to finally get that first win.”

Boston, which had lost its first three games of the season, was led by strong performances from Simons and Pritchard. Luka Garza added 16 points, while Jaylen Brown and Josh Minott each scored 15.

Unlike the Celtics, the Pelicans continued their winless start to the season, now sitting at 0-3. Jordan Poole led New Orleans with 22 points, but the team struggled throughout the game, particularly in the fourth quarter.

The Pelicans missed star player Zion Williamson, who sat out the game with a left foot bone bruise. Williamson had scored 27 points in each of New Orleans’ first two losses.

Pelicans rookie Derik Queen also had a notable game with 12 points. Despite a promising start, New Orleans lost control after a tight third quarter, with Boston taking an 87-78 lead into the final quarter.

In the fourth, Poole’s three-pointer cut the lead to just five. However, Simons answered back with a series of three-pointers to tighten Boston’s grip on the game. Sam Hauser also contributed key points in the final stretch.

Next, the Celtics will host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, while the Pelicans will visit the Denver Nuggets on the same day.