Fresh off what was perhaps the most gutting loss of the season against the Golden State Warriors, the Boston Celtics’ bus ride was quiet as they rode up to Sacramento.
Waiting for them were the Kings, who were riding a three-game win streak. And unfortunately for the Celtics, they would be without Jayson Tatum, who sprained his ankle against the Warriors, and Al Horford, who was out for rest.
Down two key pieces, and on the second night of a back-to-back, the excuses were loaded up. The Celtics could have played hero ball, they could have played half-heartedly, and they could have given up when De’Aaron Fox and the Kings exploded for a 41-point first quarter.