Payton Pritchard Shines with 33 Points, Celtics Defeat Raptors 112-96

UPDATE: In a thrilling matchup, Payton Pritchard led the Boston Celtics to a decisive 112-96 victory over the Toronto Raptors on December 20, 2025. Pritchard’s stellar performance included a double-double of 33 points and 10 assists, along with eight rebounds, showcasing his leadership in a game missing crucial players.

The Celtics played without All-Star forward Jaylen Brown, who was sidelined due to an undisclosed illness. Despite this setback, Boston capitalized on the Raptors’ challenges, dominating the boards with 55 rebounds compared to Toronto’s 37, and racking up 54 points in the paint.

Toronto, now at 17-12, saw its two-game winning streak come to an end. Brandon Ingram led the Raptors with 24 points and seven assists, while Scottie Barnes managed 12 points, nine rebounds, and six assists after a sluggish start.

The Raptors were further hampered by the absence of starting center Jakob Poeltl, who was ruled out just hours before the game due to a sore lower back. RJ Barrett, recovering from a sprained knee, also remained out, leaving Toronto’s lineup thin.

The game shifted dramatically in the fourth quarter when Derrick White hit a crucial 31-foot three-pointer, capping an 11-4 run that propelled the Celtics to a 94-84 lead. The Celtics were not at their best from beyond the arc, finishing with 12-for-39 (30.8 percent) shooting, but their inside game proved more than enough.

As the final buzzer sounded, Boston improved to 17-11. Fans are now looking ahead to the Celtics’ next game at home against the Indiana Pacers on Monday. Meanwhile, the Raptors will travel to face the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, hoping to bounce back from this setback.

Stay tuned for further updates as we continue to follow both teams through this intense season.