New Orleans Pelicans vs Boston Celtics Match Player Stats: Analyzing the 144-118 Blowout

The recent matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Boston Celtics delivered a historic offensive clinic, culminating in a 144-118 victory for Boston. This game was not merely a regular-season win; it was a record-tying performance where the Celtics matched the NBA all-time record for successful three-pointers in a single game, hitting 29 shots from beyond the arc. As the regular season concluded and the playoff seedings were finalized, the statistical discrepancy in this specific match highlighted the divergent paths of these two franchises in the 2025-2026 campaign.

Core Game Statistics and Milestone Achievement

Boston's 144-118 triumph over New Orleans was defined by elite perimeter shooting and rapid ball movement. The Celtics' 29 three-pointers equaled the franchise and league records set previously by themselves in October 2024, as well as by the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies. From the opening tip-off, Boston’s offensive rhythm appeared untouchable, scoring 44 points in the first quarter alone, effectively ending the competitive nature of the contest by halftime with an 82-51 lead.

For the Pelicans, the game represented a struggle against both a superior shooting team and a depleted roster. Missing several key starters, New Orleans was forced to rely on secondary scoring options and developmental talents. Despite the loss, individual stat lines for certain New Orleans players showed promise for the future, even as the team confirmed it would miss the postseason for the second consecutive year.

Detailed Boston Celtics Player Stats

The statistical leaders for the Boston Celtics displayed remarkable efficiency, with multiple players reaching double figures in scoring while playing restricted minutes due to the blowout nature of the game.

Sam Hauser: The Perimeter Specialist

Sam Hauser led the scoring charge for Boston, finishing with 24 points. His entire scoring output came from behind the three-point line, where he shot a staggering 8-for-12. Hauser’s ability to find open space in the corners and on the wings exploited the Pelicans' defensive rotations, which were often late to close out. His performance was the primary engine behind the record-tying 29 triples.

Jaylen Brown: Aggressive Efficiency

Jaylen Brown contributed 23 points in just 29 minutes of action. Returning from a minor Achilles issue, Brown showed no signs of rust, scoring 12 points in the first quarter to ignite the initial run. His ability to drive into the paint and kick the ball out to shooters created the gravity necessary for Hauser and others to operate. Brown sat out the entire fourth quarter, a testament to the lead Boston had established.

Payton Pritchard: The Playmaking Engine

Payton Pritchard recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 assists. Managing the second unit and occasionally playing alongside the starters, Pritchard’s 10 assists were crucial in maintaining the 32-assist total for the team. His vision in transition and pick-and-roll scenarios forced the New Orleans defense into difficult recovery positions.

Neemias Queta: Interior Dominance and a Career First

Center Neemias Queta provided 10 rebounds and added a significant milestone to his career by knocking down his first professional three-pointer. While his primary role remained rim protection and rebounding, his occasional perimeter contribution symbolized the "everything-is-falling" nature of the night for Boston.

Detailed New Orleans Pelicans Player Stats

Despite the lopsided score, the New Orleans Pelicans had notable individual performances, particularly from their younger core who saw extended playing time in the absence of veteran stars.

Jeremiah Fears: A High-Volume Scoring Performance

Jeremiah Fears was the standout performer for the Pelicans, amassing 36 points. While much of this came during the latter stages of the game, his ability to create his own shot against Boston’s perimeter defenders was a rare bright spot. Fears’ volume shooting (taking over 20 field goal attempts) was a necessity given the lack of other shot-creators on the floor.

Derik Queen: Double-Double Contribution

Young big man Derik Queen finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Queen’s activity in the paint allowed New Orleans to remain somewhat competitive in the rebounding battle, although they were ultimately outmatched in second-chance points. His development as a post-presence has been one of the few positive narratives for a New Orleans team that struggled with health all season.

Team Statistical Comparison: April 10 Matchup

The most glaring statistic is the three-point disparity. Boston made 17 more shots from deep than New Orleans, accounting for a 51-point difference from the perimeter alone. While New Orleans actually outscored Boston in the paint (44 to 40), it was insufficient to counter the mathematical disadvantage of the three-point line.

Impact of Missing Starters and Roster Depth

The player stats in this matchup cannot be fully understood without acknowledging the injury report. The New Orleans Pelicans entered the game without their core infrastructure:

• Zion Williamson: Out with a right knee injury. Williamson’s absence removed the primary interior threat that usually forces opponents to collapse their defense.
• Dejounte Murray: Sidelined with a bruised left hand. Murray’s absence left a void in perimeter defense and playmaking.
• Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III: Both were out due to rest or minor ankle sprains, depriving the team of their best wing defenders.

Boston also managed their roster carefully, with Jayson Tatum resting to manage his workload following his previous Achilles tendon recovery. The fact that Boston could score 144 points without their primary MVP candidate highlights the immense depth of their roster, where players like Sam Hauser and Anfernee Simons (who led the team in earlier matchups) can step into high-usage roles seamlessly.

Seasonal Context: Head-to-Head Evolution

To understand the April 10 player stats, we must look at how these teams progressed throughout the 2025-2026 season. Earlier in the season, specifically in late October 2025, Boston secured a 122-90 victory over New Orleans. In that game, Anfernee Simons led the way with 25 points, and the defensive intensity held the Pelicans to just 33% shooting from the field.

Comparing the October stats to the April stats reveals a trend: Boston's offense became increasingly reliant on the three-point shot as the season matured. In October, they focused more on balanced scoring and interior presence through Luka Garza and Josh Minott. By April, the system had evolved into the high-volume perimeter attack that we saw tie the NBA record.

In another matchup in January 2025, the game was much closer, with Boston winning 118-116 on a last-second jumper. In that contest, Trey Murphy III scored 40 points for the Pelicans, showing that when healthy, New Orleans possesses the individual talent to match Boston’s scoring. The April 10 stats, therefore, reflect a Pelicans team at its lowest point of health and a Celtics team at its peak of tactical execution.

Tactical Breakdown: The 3-Point Shot Chart

Analysis of the shot charts from the 144-118 game shows that Boston's attempts were heavily concentrated in the "efficiency zones"—the restricted area and the corners. The Celtics attempted 55 three-pointers, with a significant portion being "uncontested" or "open," according to advanced tracking data. This suggests a failure in the Pelicans' defensive scheme, likely due to the lack of experienced defensive communicators like Herb Jones.

New Orleans, conversely, settled for mid-range jumpers and contested layups. While Jeremiah Fears was able to convert many of these difficult looks, the "math game" favored Boston. For every two-point basket Fears made, a Celtics player often responded with a three on the other end, leading to the rapid inflation of the lead in the second quarter.

Bench Production and Garbage Time Stats

The fourth quarter of the April matchup saw extensive minutes for deep-bench players. For Boston, Baylor Scheierman and Xavier Tillman contributed valuable minutes, ensuring the lead never dipped below 20 points. For New Orleans, players like Derik Queen used this time to bolster their seasonal averages, though the defensive intensity from Boston had noticeably slackened by that point. These "garbage time" stats are important for player development evaluations but can skew the overall perception of the game's competitiveness.

Playoff Implications Based on Current Standing

As of April 21, 2026, the data from the Pelicans-Celtics matchups serves as a vital scouting report for the postseason. Boston has clinched the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, and their historical shooting night suggests they are the most dangerous perimeter team entering the playoffs. Their ability to win by 26 points without Jayson Tatum suggests that opponents cannot simply focus on one or two stars; the entire roster is a threat.

For New Orleans, the stats from this game serve as a post-mortem for a season lost to injury. The high scoring of Fears and Queen provides a foundation, but the team’s inability to defend the three-point line—ranking near the bottom of the league in opponent three-point percentage—is the primary area for off-season improvement.

Key Takeaways from the Box Score

1. System Over Stars: Boston’s ability to tie an NBA record without Jayson Tatum proves that their offensive system is robust and not entirely dependent on a single individual.
2. Health is Wealth: The Pelicans' season-long struggle with the health of Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray resulted in inconsistent lineups and defensive lapses, culminating in the blowout losses seen in late 2025 and April 2026.
3. The Three-Point Revolution: The 51-point difference in three-point scoring in the 144-118 game is a stark reminder of the modern NBA's trajectory. Teams that cannot defend or replicate this volume are at a severe disadvantage.
4. Emerging Talent: Despite the losses, New Orleans has identified Jeremiah Fears as a legitimate high-volume scorer who can carry an offense when the primary options are unavailable.

In conclusion, the New Orleans Pelicans vs Boston Celtics match player stats from the April 10 encounter highlight a historic moment in NBA history. Boston’s 29 three-pointers and 144 points signify a team ready for a deep championship run, while the depleted Pelicans are left to look toward a healthy 2026-2027 season. The statistical gap between the two teams in this specific matchup was a reflection of health, depth, and the relentless pursuit of perimeter efficiency.