Brown scores 31 points, White gets 1st career triple-double in Celtics’ 119-94 win over Detroit

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BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown scored 31 points in three quarters, Derrick White posted his first career triple-double and the NBA-best Boston Celtics beat the Detroit Pistons 119-94 on Monday night.

Boston star Jayson Tatum missed the game because of a right ankle injury, but the Celtics had more than enough to make up for the absence of their leading scorer (27.1 points a game) and rebounder (8.3).

White had 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. He completed his triple-double when he passed to Payton Pritchard, who hit a 3-pointer with 6:25 to play.


Boston Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis (8) shoots against Detroit Pistons' Isaiah Stewart (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Boston Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis (8) shoots against Detroit Pistons’ Isaiah Stewart (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Pritchard had 23 points in the Celtics’ sixth straight victory.

Boston forward Kristaps Porzingis returned after missing five games with a strained right hamstring. He had 20 points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes.

Jaden Ivey led Detroit with 21 points. Cade Cunningham, who averages a team-high 22.2 points per game, rested for left knee injury management.

Boston also played without starting guard Jrue Holiday (bruised right shoulder) and reserve forward Al Horford. The 37-year-old Horford hasn’t played consecutive games this season.

The Celtics opened a 47-37 lead on Brown’s 3-pointer midway into the second quarter. They had a 61-48 advantage at the break.

One of the biggest cheers of the game occurred when Pritchard made a nifty behind-the-back pass to Xavier Tillman for a fast-break layup. Then Brown was fouled on a driving basket that led to a three-point play, making it 88-66 late in the third quarter.

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Detroit Pistons' Marcus Sasser, right, loses control of the ball against Boston Celtics' Payton Pritchard (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Detroit Pistons’ Marcus Sasser, right, loses control of the ball against Boston Celtics’ Payton Pritchard (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Pistons: Host the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.

Celtics: Host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.

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