Pritchard Scores 30 in Celtics Win

The Boston Celtics defeated the Chicago Bulls 125-111 on Friday night at TD Garden. This result marked the start of group play for the 2026 NBA Cup. The victory also extended a four-game winning streak for Boston. The Celtics had lost their season opener earlier in the month.

Payton Pritchard led the Celtics with 30 points. He played 34 minutes coming off the bench. Jayson Tatum added 26 points to his line. Tatum also recorded seven rebounds and seven assists. Paul George contributed 18 points, eight assists, six rebounds, and three steals.

Five Celtics players scored in double figures. The team recorded a season high of 78 points in the first half. Boston's bench outscored Chicago's reserves 59-40. The Celtics also dominated in the paint, winning the inside scoring battle 58-40. They forced 16 turnovers and recorded 28 assists in total.

The Celtics led by as many as 30 points during the game. The Bulls reduced the margin in the second half. Chicago pushed the tempo and increased their physical play. The Bulls hit five three-pointers in the third quarter alone. Despite the chase, Boston held on for a 14-point margin of victory.

The point differential is a key factor in the NBA Cup standings. It serves as the second tiebreaker after head-to-head results. A 14-point win gives Boston a positive cushion in the group standings. The Celtics now hold a 1-0 record in Group C. They sit in second place with a plus-14 point differential.

The Bulls shot 38 percent from the field, converting 35 of 93 attempts. They made 15 of 50 three-pointers. Rookie forward Caleb Wilson led Chicago with 23 points. Wilson, the No. 4 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, shot 6-for-11 from beyond the arc. The Celtics shot 51 percent from the field, making 42 of 82 shots. They hit 10 of 32 three-pointers.

Pritchard has scored 62 points in two games against the Bulls this season. His 30 points Friday moved him past Isaiah Thomas on the TD Garden all-time scoring list. He now ranks 12th at the venue. Pritchard is 62 points away from Avery Bradley for 10th place on that specific list.

The Celtics have beaten the Bulls twice this season. They defeated Chicago 134-99 on Monday. The teams will meet again on December 30 and March 9. Both future games are scheduled for Chicago. The Celtics will host the Orlando Magic on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET. Their next NBA Cup matchup is November 6 at the Charlotte Hornets.