Locked On Celtics – Boston Celtics Explode for 125 Points Without Usual 3-Point Attack – Pritchard Impresses

Host: John Karalis
Date: January 10, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the Boston Celtics’ 125–117 win over the Toronto Raptors, marking an impressive offensive showing with a notably reduced three-point attack. John Karalis breaks down the significance behind Boston’s adapted shot profile, analyzes standout performances—including a dynamic night from Payton Pritchard—and shares revealing postgame comments from Jaylen Brown. The episode also provides insight into locker room dynamics, strategic trends under coach Joe Mazzulla, and injury updates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Celtics’ Adjusted Shot Profile and Offensive Explosion

[01:05 – 13:00]

• The Celtics scored 125 points, despite only attempting 28 three-pointers—their lowest of the season.
  • “They shot only 28 three-pointers, which was the lowest in this season, by far the second lowest regular season output by the Celtics in the Joe Mazzulla era.” [03:29]
• The team shifted toward two-point shots: 59 attempts inside the arc.
  • “So this was two points, two-pointers just galore, attacking, getting to the line.” [05:55]
• Despite few threes, the Celtics converted at a high clip (50% from deep), which made their approach effective.
  • “When you only take 28, you have to make half of them... But the Celtics were still able to dictate their shot profile...” [06:47]
• The hot shooting was spread across the roster:
  • Sam Hauser (70% FG), Payton Pritchard (63% FG), Derrick White (50% FG).
• Celtics shot 53.4% overall, 89.5% from the line.

Standout Individual Performances

[07:30 – 15:00]

• Payton Pritchard:
  • 8/10 in the paint, 2/2 at the rim, excelled with counters to defensive pressure.
  • “Pritchard was just like, you know what, I have this move, I have this last move which Jalen keeps joking that, you know, Peyton stole, you know, is in his bag, in Jalen’s bag.” [08:49]
  • Praised for his “incredibly crafty” play and ability to react to the defense’s counters.
• Sam Hauser:
  • 5/7 from three, scored efficiently even when run off the line.
  • “Sam’s not just the three-point shooter. He’s willing to attack.” [10:07]
• Derrick White:
  • Classic statline: 18 pts, 5 ast, 3 reb, 2 blocks, just 1 TO.
  • “Turnovers are a huge thing... the Celtics protected the ball well. They had seven turnovers in this game.” [10:55]

Game Flow and Notable Moments

[13:01 – 18:00]

• Toronto was shorthanded (missing RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl, Brandon Ingram).
• Despite this, they came out aggressively, forcing Boston to remain focused.
• Notable Celtics plays:
  • Jalen Brown’s driving two-hand dunk right out of the gate.
  • Brown’s posterization of Sandro Mamukelashvili.
  • Alley-oop “layup” to Neemias Queta: “It just kind of rolled off his fingers into the rim. So it goes down as an alley oop layup for Queta, which was fun.” [13:44]
• Raptors made several runs, but the Celtics always responded, often behind strong bench energy from Anthony Simons and a huge third quarter from Pritchard.

Trade Rumors and Locker Room Notes

[16:30 – 17:59]

• Anthony Simons was asked about staying focused amid trade rumors; responded with humor and professionalism.
  • “He just laughed. He’s like, I’ve been in trade rumors for years... You are where your feet are, or something like that, he said.” [16:58]
• John Karalis touched on media buzz about real trade discussions (notably Brian Scalabrine’s comments on possible Celtics-Clippers talks for Ivica Zubac).
  • “Scal seems to think that the Celtics’ discussions for Ivica Zubac are real. ... The Celtics operate in silence.” [17:36]

Defensive Trends and Issues

[18:00 – 19:10]

• Celtics’ paint-protection scheme sometimes gives up open threes, leading to streaky opposing shooters getting hot (Jacoby Walter hit 5/9).
  • “The Celtics defense is geared towards protecting the paint. ... A guy gets a wide-open look, he sees it go in ... next thing you know, boom, boom, boom.” [18:20]
• Karalis points out that challenging those outside shots more effectively is an ongoing need.

Looking Ahead

[19:11 – 21:10]

• Quick turnaround next game against the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama.
  • “Tomorrow they’re playing the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama. ... That’s going to be a tough one. I wouldn’t be surprised if they lose that game. So we’ll see.” [19:39]

Jaylen Brown Segment: Performance, Poise, and Wrist Revelation

Brown’s On-Court Impact

[21:11 – 23:45]

• 25 pts, 8 reb, 7 ast, 4 TO (6/15 FG, 1/3 3PT, 12/13 FT).
• Got to the free-throw line 13 times—a turnaround after recently criticizing officials.
  • “Jalen Brown goes out and trashes the refs... and then comes in and gets 13 free throws.” [21:44]
• Karalis asked Brown how he approached officiating after the Denver game:
  • Brown: “I just got to keep my head on straight. Don’t let it affect my physicality or the way I play. Don’t let it cloud my vision. Thinking about the refs, not thinking about making the right play. So I just got to stay poised. I’m versatile, flexible enough to make it happen. But it feels good though.” [22:12]
  • “It’s almost like he directly addressed my criticism from the last podcast...” [22:54]
• Host lauds Brown for maturity, compartmentalizing frustration, and continuing to contribute across the board.

Notable Quote Breakdown

• On leadership and growth:
  • “He realized it and he came back and he’s like, you know what? I have to be better in that moment. Good. Boom. Done. As far as I’m concerned, handled perfectly. Done. Moving on.” – John Karalis [23:30]
• On stat lines:
  • “Four turnovers is not the worst thing in the world for a guy that has the usage as high as he does...” [23:46]

Jaylen Brown’s Wrist: The Most Revealing Discussion

[23:46 – 26:10]

• Brown openly discussed the severity of his left wrist injury history—for the first time in-depth since tearing “all the ligaments” in 2021.
  • “He said... I tore all the ligaments in my wrist in 2021. ... I’ve had a couple of loose bodies removed and I’ve had chips in my wrist over the last couple of years. ... Modern medicine ... PRP, platelet-rich plasma therapy and stem cell therapy.” [24:36]
• He described ongoing procedures to clear loose bodies, and the way falling on it can immobilize the wrist for weeks at a time.
• Karalis reflects on the importance of Brown’s candor:
  • “This is a whole new Jaylen Brown... He’s being so much more open about things. ... I love hearing this because, you know, it lends a little extra perspective... it just makes the things that he’s doing a little bit more impressive, actually.” [25:09]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the strategic shift:
  “Missoula ball is not just go take three-pointers. ... You have to take them. ... This was two pointers just galore, attacking, getting to the line.” – John Karalis [05:07]
• On Payton Pritchard’s craftiness:
  “That’s what working on your craft is. ... Incredible performance from Pritchard.” [09:03]
• Jaylen Brown on refs:
  “I just got to keep my head on straight. Don’t let it affect my physicality or the way I play. ... I just got to stay poised.” – Jaylen Brown [22:12]
• On Brown’s maturity:
  “He realized it and he came back and he’s like, you know what? I have to be better in that moment. Good. Boom. Done.” – John Karalis [23:30]
• On the wrist injury:
  “I tore all the ligaments in my wrist in 2021. ... I’ve had procedures where I had a couple of loose bodies removed and I’ve had chips in my wrist over the last couple of years.“ – Jaylen Brown, via Karalis [24:36]

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:05 | Game summary and context | | 03:20 | Celtics’ shift from 3-point shooting to 2-point attack | | 07:30 | Individual player breakdowns (Pritchard, Hauser, White) | | 13:01 | Notable plays and game flow | | 16:30 | Trade rumors and locker room dynamics | | 18:00 | Defensive scheme pros and cons | | 21:11 | Jaylen Brown’s performance and approach to officiating | | 23:45 | Brown’s wrist injury revelations |

Overall Tone & Takeaway

The tone is candid, analytical, and reflective—a mix of deep-dive X’s and O’s with personal insight and player focus. Karalis brings a fan’s eye while retaining journalistic candor, especially regarding Jaylen Brown’s postgame revelations and the Celtics’ evolving play style under Coach Mazzulla.

Summary

• The Celtics demonstrated offensive versatility, defeating the Raptors with a rare emphasis on two-pointers over threes.
• Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser stood out for their efficiency and adaptability.
• Jaylen Brown, after critiquing officiating, showed poise and maturity both in drawing fouls and in public remarks.
• Brown gave a rare, detailed description of his ongoing wrist injury and treatment, making his recent play even more impressive.
• The Celtics’ defensive approach invites some risk on opponent threes; closing out more effectively remains a growth area.
• Boston’s focus now shifts to the Spurs and Victor Wembanyama on the back-to-back.

For Celtics fans or NBA observers, this episode delivers key insights into Boston’s tactical growth, locker room transparency, and the resilience of star players in the face of adversity.