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That was quite a start to Summer League, huh?
The Celtics outlasted the Raptors, 83-80, in an overtime thriller Friday night in Las Vegas. Amari Williams led the way with an emphatic 23 points and 13 rebounds. John Tonje contributed 20 on five 3-pointers, and Hugo González was far from efficient, but provided 17 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists in 37 minutes.
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Rookie Chris Cenac Jr. (14 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks) buried a corner 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds remaining to tie it. It wasn’t always pretty from the Celtics, but they hit their stride as the game progressed and saved their best for last.
Here are 15 thoughts on their debut:
1. Summer League is electric.
Let’s start with a general, all-encompassing thought: real basketball lovers have an absolute blast watching Summer League. It’s so much fun evaluating these guys as they fight for their professional lives and try to prove they belong. The defense is impressive, the hustle is there and the passion is undeniable.
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2. Amile Jefferson deserves this opportunity.
Amile Jefferson pushed all the right buttons down the stretch in this one. He has a unique perspective because he was once in their shoes, on the cusp of making the NBA and desperately trying to get there. Jefferson and Cenac Jr. have somewhat similar games (not the same, but there’s some overlap), so it helps to have him there to mentor him.
3. It was nice to see the veterans show their support.
It’s always cool when the players on the NBA roster come watch the young guys. When you see Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Neemias Queta, and Jordan Walsh in the stands, that gives you an extra jolt. A little team bonding never hurts, even in July.
4. The start was not exactly picturesque.
The Celtics figured it out as they went, but it wouldn’t be accurate to call this one pristine from start to finish. They struggled with Toronto’s ball pressure in the first half and seemed to be sped up, often driving into double teams and getting caught in the air. This can happen sometimes in Summer League, because everyone plays with desperation, but it will be interesting to monitor…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/fifteen-thoughts-celtics-summer-league-155112772.html
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Publish date : 2026-07-11 15:51:00
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