The Boston Celtics beat the Kings to spoil Domantas Sabonis’ return to the lineup despite losing six-time All-Star Jayson Tatum to an injury.

Tatum posted 25 points, seven rebounds and eight assists to lead the Celtics to a 113-95victory over the Kings at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

Tatum left the game and did not return after suffering an ankle injury with 3:35 to play in the third quarter. Tatum sustained the injury when he attempted a 3-point shot and landed on Sabonis’ foot on a play officials deemed a reckless closeout.

“I feel horrible,” Sabonis said. “I’ve had a crazy month myself personally and you never want that to happen, so I apologize.”

Payton Pritchard came off the bench to score 22 points for the Celtics (53-19), who have won six in a row and 11 of their last 12. Kristaps Porzingis had 16 points and seven rebounds.

DeMar DeRozan had 20 points and 10 assists for the Kings (35-36), who have lost three in a row and seven of their last nine.

Sabonis returned to the lineup to post 16 points and 17 rebounds after missing the past three games with a right ankle sprain. Zach LaVine and Keon Ellis scored 14 points apiece. Keegan Murray had 13 points and five rebounds.

The Kings will play again Tuesday when they entertain the Oklahoma City Thunder on the second night of a back-to-back.

“It doesn’t get any easier,” interim Kings coach Doug Christie said. “We’ve got a game tomorrow against the best team in the league, so you’ve got to lick your wounds and be ready tomorrow.

Injury updates

The Kings announced Sabonis had been cleared to return about two hours before tipoff. Malik Monk (illness), Devin Carter (illness) and Doug McDermott (elbow) were ruled out.

Brown was cleared to play for the Celtics after missing the past three games with a knee injury. Sam Hauser (back) was ruled out along with Al Horford (toe) and Xavier Tillman (knee).

Halftime report

The Kings got off to a great start against the Celtics. Murray made back-to-back 3-pointers, Ellis converted a three-point play and Boston defensive stopper Derrick White was whistled for two early fouls as the Kings took an early 19-11 lead.

The Celtics came back to cut the deficit to one at the end of the first quarter and took the lead early in the second. There were three ties and 10 lead changes in the second period with neither team leading by more than four until Tatum hit a late 3-pointer to put Boston up 56-51 at the half.

Tatum led all scorers with 17 points in the opening half. Pritchard came off the bench to score 14 points. Murray and Sabonis had 10 points apiece for Sacramento.

Second half

The Celtics went up by 11 after outscoring the Kings 12-6 to start the second half. Tatum injured his left ankle when he landed on Sabonis’ foot on a 3-point attempt late in the third quarter. Sabonis was called for a flagrant 1 foul.

Tatum stayed in the game to shoot free throws before limping back to the locker room with the team’s medical staff. He did not return.

The Celtics led 88-78 at the end of the third quarter. They went up by 15 early in the fourth and led by as many as 22 in the final minutes.

Up next

The Kings will face the top team in the NBA when they play host to Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

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