The Boston Celtics finally found their first win of the young 2025 NBA season after losing three straight, taking down the Pelicans in New Orleans. After the horrid start to the year, the Celtics went into New Orleans on the second night of a back-to-back, and showed no signs of fatigue and used the first and fourth quarters to assert themselves in the win.

Boston’s win was not only their first of the season, but was the first on the road this year, and will end the short road trip on a positive note. One night after Jaylen Brown went off for 41 points in the loss to the Detroit Pistons, the Celtics would use a balance effort to carry the team, including a pleasant surprise from first-time starter Josh Minott, who had the highest +/- total of the game, with a +42 in the win.

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Here’s a quick recap of the Boston Celtics blowout victory over the New Orleans Pelicans who played without Zion Williamson.

Final score: Boston Celtics 122, New Orleans Pelicans 90Keys to the game:

Balanced scoring effort: The Celtics saw four of their five starters score in double figures in this game, and also big scoring games from Luka Garza who had 16 points and Anfernee Simons who led all scorers in the game with 25 points off the bench. Everyone that stepped on the court seemed to have their own significant impact one way or another, and that balanced effort is what made them such a dangerous team over the last few seasons.

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Dominance in the paint: After struggling with their lack of big men early this season, the Celtics dominated the paint over the Pelicans, both in the rebound and points in the paint categories. Boston outrebounded New Orleans 54-35, and scored 46 of their points in the paint. Zion Williamson may have missed this game for the Pelicans, but they still had plenty of big men at their disposal, and the Celtics shut them down.

Sharing is caring: Of the 46 field goals that the Celtics made in the game, they had 25 assists attached to them, showing the unselfishness of the offense in this win. The seven players in double figures would be a telling sign of how the offense was created, but it feels very important to note that the team shared the ball plenty and were efficient with one another.

Highlight of the game: Josh Minott gets huge dunk, fails landingWhat’s next: vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, Wednesday, October 29, 7:00PM ET on ESPN

The next game will be a big test for the Celtics as they finally got off their losing streak against New Orleans, but now turn around to face one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference in the Cleveland Cavaliers. Boston was handled easily by the New York Knicks on Friday night, and they’ll have a big opportunity to start their first winning streak of the season if they can get their first win at home.

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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics get first win of season in blowout of New Orleans Pelicans