MIAMI (AP) – The Boston Celtics had a first quarter like none other in their storied history.
The Celtics scored 53 points – their biggest-scoring first quarter ever – in the opening 12 minutes of their game against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night.
Boston’s barrage is tied for the second-highest-scoring first quarter in NBA regular-season history. Golden State had a 55-point opening quarter at Portland on April 9, 2023, and Miami had a 53-point opening quarter against Charlotte on Nov. 7.
It was the second-most points Boston has scored in a quarter; the Celtics had 54 in the fourth period of a game against the San Diego Clippers on Feb. 25, 1970. And it was the most points Miami ever allowed in any quarter; the Heat gave up 50 in the fourth quarter of a game at Seattle on Jan. 5, 1990.
Boston made 11 3-pointers in the opening quarter, with Sam Hauser going 5-for-5 from beyond the arc while playing all 12 minutes. Jaylen Brown had 20 points by himself in the quarter – the ninth 20-point quarter of his career, including playoffs – and Hauser finished with 17.
Boston led 53-33 at the end of the quarter, after shooting 20-for-28 from the field and 11-for-15 from 3-point range.
