News Celtics Team Notes

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics won’t rule out Jayson Tatum playing next season — but he won’t be rushing back

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Brad Stevens said the Celtics aren’t discussing a timeline for Tatum’s return — but didn’t entirely rule him out for the 2025-26 season.

The Indiana Pacers have formally ruled out Tyrese Haliburton playing next season as he recovers from an Achilles rupture he suffered last month. But Celtics general manager Brad Stevens declined to make a similar declaration regarding Jayson Tatum, who ruptured his Achilles tendon six weeks before Haliburton did.

“We’re not even talking about timeline for return,” Stevens said matter-of-factly on Tuesday. “We’re not even going there.”

From the jump, Stevens has made clear that the organization would prioritize Tatum’s long-term health and not put any pressure on him with an expected timeline. Stevens said that the six-time All-Star has been in the building daily, focused on his rehab.

The public got a glimpse of that last week, when Tatum posted a video of himself walking in a pool alongside his trainer and close friend, Nick Sang.

Jayson Tatum posted a video of himself walking in a pool today on Instagram as he continues his Achilles rupture rehab pic.twitter.com/Q7hQxW4tV9

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) July 6, 2025​

“Jayson is working every single day,” Stevens said. “He has literally been here every day except for a few day break. But when he takes a few days break, Nick goes with him, so he’s still working every single day.”

Jaylen Brown has also regularly been at the Auerbach Center ​

Jaylen Brown, who had knee surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus last month, has also been focused on his rehab daily. Brown is expected to be ready to go before training camp begins in October.

“We have no reason to believe Jaylen won’t be all clear and ready to go fairly shortly,” Stevens said.

Stevens noted it’s unusual for the Celtics' stars to be around the facility at this point in the offseason, and shared that Brown was in for a shooting workout early Tuesday morning and that Tatum seems to be progressing well.

“Jayson was in moving pretty fast on that boot today, so all indications are they’re both progressing at incredible rates, which is great,” Stevens said. “But we’re not gonna put any pressure on Jayson to get back anytime soon.”

Meanwhile, rookie Hugo Gonzalez said he feels “blessed” to get the chance to be around both veterans as he acclimates to the organization.

Very cool to see that Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown — who are both rehabbing at the Auerbach Center — both met the rookies today

(Photos via Celtics Instagram) pic.twitter.com/PTGGXXAOHV

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) July 1, 2025​

“They are really, really good players, one of the best in the league,” Gonzalez said. “Having them near here, learning about them, and everything, is just an opportunity that I’m really blessed to have.”

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...chilles-injury-recovery-timeline-brad-stevens

 

[Boston Celtics]

It is time for Jordan Walsh to dominate Summer League

Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

In his third trip to the Strip, Walsh needs to show he has graduated from the summer showcase.

It typically isn’t a great sign that a player is playing in Summer League entering their 3rd NBA season. If they are, they should look like the best player on the court.

Things I look for during Summer League:

Do the rookies look like they can hang athletically? Especially when going against experienced players.
What skills do returning players show off? Are they asked to play a very different role and handling it ok?
Are second- and…

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 5, 2025

Very simple rule for me.

If Baylor and Walsh don’t dominate, it’s not going to happen for them as nba players. https://t.co/7RzitPZTF9

— Matt (@Mahcus_Smaht) July 8, 2025

In last season’s Celtics Summer League opener, Jaden Springer had 23 points and 6 assists while Neemias Queta had 20 points and 9 rebounds. Springer would not play in Summer League again while Queta had 22 points and 8 rebounds in the Summer C’s next game before being shut down. They dominated, showing that they were above playing in Vegas.

Walsh, on the other hand, played in all five Summer League games the Celtics played in last year. He averaged 9.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists on 29% from the field and 13% from three.

He didn't look like just a guy — he was plain bad. That simply cannot be the case this year. He needs to stand out. On Friday against the Grizzlies, we need to see Walsh stand out and think he could be a guy who can help the Celtics.

Walsh: “I’m a vet now, which is nice.” pic.twitter.com/oIn3EVouAl

— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) July 8, 2025

Walsh’s athleticism has shown flashes at times and his range on defense is something to watch as well. However, he needs to be able to score the ball this time around. He needs to be able to get past a defender and finish around the cup. He needs to be able to knock down catch and shoot threes.

His offensive rebounding is something a lot of people liked coming out of school and he did that pretty well last summer with 1.8 offensive rebounds per game. However, the Celtics need more out of Walsh in the half court other than just crashing the offensive glass.

The Celtics just signed Josh Minott to a 2-year contract, a player who has a very similar archetype to Walsh — long rangy defenders who are athletic, pretty good offensive rebounders but have struggled to make threes at the NBA level. Minott played at Summer League last year, averaging 15.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game on 44% from the field and 23% from three.

Nothing special but better than Walsh looked.

Walsh also talked about putting too much pressure on himself last summer and how it led to his mix bag of results.

“When I went into it last year, I was kind of in the mentality of trying to be like Jayson Tatum, be Jaylen Brown,” Walsh said. “And it’s like, that’s not the same team, that’s not who I am, I’m not those guys. Now I’m going with the mentality of being me, being the best player that I can be, to affect winning in every [part] of the game.”

Jordan Walsh is coming into Summer League with a new mentality:

“When I went into it last year, I was kind of in the mentality of trying to be like Jayson Tatum, be Jaylen Brown. And it’s like, that’s not the same team, that’s not who I am, I’m not those guys. Now I’m going… pic.twitter.com/QkWczPKHFn

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) July 8, 2025

Jordan Walsh might not be putting pressure on himself, but the Celtics are. He needs to perform at a high level this time around in Vegas because unlike in his first two seasons, there is a chance that Walsh can carve out a consistent role for himself this upcoming season.

That needs to start with really high-level play over the next week plus at Summer League. He needs to show the Celtics brass that he has graduated by playing at a really high level in the first one or two games.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...boston-celtics-arkansas-springer-queta-minott

 

[Boston Celtics]

Who will the Celtics face in next season’s NBA Cup?

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

Boston is competing with four Eastern Conference rivals on the road to the NBA Cup in Vegas.

The groups for the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup were announced today and the Celtics were placed in Group East B alongside the Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and Philadelphia 76ers.

The #EmiratesNBACup 2025 Group Draw results!

Starting October 31, all 30 teams will compete for the NBA Cup with 8 teams advancing out of groups into the knockout rounds, with the semifinals and championship held in Las Vegas, December 13 and 16! pic.twitter.com/VJur4Hv0lL

— NBA (@NBA) July 9, 2025​

Boston has not found much success when it comes to competing for the NBA Cup in the past couple of years. In the inaugural 2023 In-Season Tournament, the Celtics went 3-1 in the group stages, winning Group C with their only loss coming against the Magic and their wins against the Nets, Raptors, and Bulls.

Who could forget the infamous final game against the Bulls where the Celtics dominated them by a score of 124-97 due to the fact they needed to win by 23+ points to win the point differential battle. Joe Mazzulla intentionally fouled Andre Drummond even though they already had a big lead in the game and it caused a bit of friction between at the time Bulls coach Billy Donovan.

After advancing to the knockout stage as the 3rd seed, the Celtics would face off against the 2nd seed Indiana Pacers where they would fall 122-112 in Indiana. This was first introduction to the Pacers on a national stage and they would ride the momentum all the way to the Finals of the Tournament but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the championship game.

The newly named Emirates NBA Cup in 2024 would not change the Celtics luck in this tournament after not qualifying for the Knockout Round after losing to the eventual Group C winners, Atlanta Hawks and missing out on the Wild Card. Boston beat the Bulls, Cavs, and Wizards but didn’t win the group due to a tie breaker with the Hawks.

That meant they needed the Bucks to beat the Pistons by 6+ points which they did AND the Magic to beat the Knicks OR the Knicks beat the Magic by 37+ points to sneak into the Wild Card spot. Sadly New York won 121-106 which meant the Celtics were officially knocked out of the NBA Cup. The Milwaukee Bucks would end up winning the NBA Cup as they beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Championship Game.

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

The NBA Cup starts on October 31st and the Celtics will host Brooklyn and Detroit with road games at Orlando and Philadelphia.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...roit-pistons-orlando-magic-philadelphia-76ers

 

[Boston Celtics]

It’s time to accept the Niang reality

Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

The prevailing thought after the Kristaps Porzingis trade was that another move was on the way to re-route Georges Niang. But for now, it seems that he’ll be wearing green on Opening Night.

For the last few years, I’ve maintained a small offseason tradition as a Celtics enjoyer. For every trade, signing or draft pick made by Boston, I wait patiently for a Tomasz Kordylewski YouTube notification to drop for the new acquisition’s multi-minute highlight reel.

It doesn’t matter how well-acquainted I am of the player in question, I just get a small rush of enthusiasm out of the habit. When it came to Georges Niang’s 9-minute long compilation, I pushed it aside and waited for a trade.

And waited.

And waited.

Surely, Georges Niang – the trash-talking, round mound of shootaround who was classified as a C-list villain (at best) for the Celtics fanbase – was just an $8 million expiring detour on the way to greater cap flexibility, right?

As it stands now, that does not seem to be the case, with team social media posts welcoming him (and other rumored re-route candidate Anfernee Simons) to the team, followed by a statement and press conference from Brad Stevens that strongly hinted at the current roster being the general expectation for Opening Night.

“Niang has added value to winning to each team he’s been on. He’s a pain to play against, which I very much admire,” said Stevens in his Tuesday press conference.

This has not gone over well with many fans. It’s not hyperbole to say that Georges Niang may be the most disliked Celtics acquisition in years. Entering any of the comment sections of official Celtics social media posts about Niang requires a hazmat suit and a willingness to witness digital chaos.

Understandably, the 2023 seven-game series with Philadelphia plays a role in that, specifically Niang’s knee-grabbing antics on Jaylen Brown, along with an additional (albeit muted) appearance in the Cleveland playoff series in 2024, but it’s also just the type of player Niang is that rubs opponents the wrong way, and that’s largely by his own design as a trash-spewing rotation player.

Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Niang lives to get under the skin, and it’s clearly effective, in part because he’s a modestly effective scoring threat and because he exudes a rare self-awareness of the fact that he’s not “The Guy” and he talks like it.

A role player talking trash? Seems like an easy retort for the opposition, yet Niang seems to be cognizant of the fact. Indeed, the Minivan understands which spots he can parallel in and which are best left to compact vehicles.

All this to say, Niang may not be the guy you want, but he’s the guy you have, and if we take a slight step back, there are at least some reasons to hold an optimistic view of the situation.

Niang may be a career negative on the defensive end, only reaching a positive Defensive Box Plus-Minus once in the past five years (with the 2020-21 Utah Jazz, ranked fourth in the league in defensive rating), but he is a respectable offensive contributor that shot 40% from the 3-point line in six of the last seven seasons.

And while Niang is just an average finisher at the rim (with below average burst and on-ball creation), the ways in which he generates shots are conducive to clean offensive structure. Niang spends the bulk of his time as a screen and roll/pop man (96% percentile in Pick & Roll/Pop/Slip frequency per Basketball Index) and as a perimeter shooter. At this stage in his career, he is one of the more efficient catch-and-shoot specialists in the league (40.8% C&S on threes).

He holds gravity as a shooter because he plays well off the gravity of others. There’s value in that. Add in a wing group that already features Sam Hauser and Baylor Scheierman, and the 3-point ideology of recent Celtics teams can still hold true outside of the primary creation of Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard and Derrick White.

Full disclosure, I have never considered myself a particularly big fan of Niang, like many Celtics fans, but I’m nothing if not an optimist, or at least someone empathetic to what is likely a very uncomfortable situation for Niang as he joins a fanbase that has collectively welcomed him with arms behind their back and a tomato in hand. This is far from an easy sell for many, but the least we can do is keep an open mind until games are played and evidence is displayed.

Ultimately, Niang is likely a full-season or deadline transaction away from being back in the bad graces of those who never wanted him in green in the first place. But he’s here now, and the focus should be to readjust to the areas he can help the team rather than the ways to get rid of him.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...o-accept-georges-niang-reality-boston-celtics

 

[Boston Celtics]

Boston’s rookie class leaves positive first impressions in Summer League opener

Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images

All three of Boston’s 2025 draft picks got significant run in their first Summer League appearance, impressing in multiple facets of the game on the way to a 92-78 victory over the Grizzlies.

After all three 2025 draft picks played over 20 minutes in their Summer League debuts, Celtics Summer League head coach Matt Reynolds instilled a lot of trust in the trio, who each played a part in a 92-78 win over the Memphis Grizzlies Friday afternoon.

First round pick Hugo González played a team-high 28 minutes, while second round selections Max Shulga and Amari Williams each made 21-minute starting appearances.

Experimenting with a faster pace and high pick-up points on the defensive end, the Celtics brought an electricity to Cox Pavilion in UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center, starting with a first impression from González that showcased a little bit of everything the young wing has to offer.

“Hugo and the whole team were just pressuring relentlessly the whole game,” Reynolds said. “That was an excellent tone that he and our backcourt set throughout the course of the game.”

Right off the bat, González made his presence felt, crashing the glass on Boston’s opening possession and finishing on a putback while racing back down the floor to jump in front of a baseline cut for an immediate Grizzlies turnover.

González had his struggles finishing around the rim, shooting 1-of-7 on attempts inside the arc, but his confidence from the 3-point line was a promising indicator of a young talent being emboldened to take the open shots available to him, even if the game’s pace was a little unfamiliar to him.

“It was hard to catch up with the pace,” González said. “In Europe, the game is a lot of times a little bit slower and you’re trying to have the possession until the end. Here, if you’ve got a shot, you’ve got to take it so that’s actually making the game really up and down. You’ve got to catch up with that if you want to play so I’m just trying to adapt.

“I’m pretty lucky that I’ve got a staff that is pushing me right now to get better and to perform really good. They’re giving me confidence to shoot whenever I’m open or whenever I think that I am in a good situation, so I think that’s the main thing.”

That encouragement extended to his struggles as well, including an instance where González missed three consecutive free throws late in the opening quarter, prompting Reynolds to yell from the sidelines for the rookie to keep his head up.

Outside of his 12 points, González left his fingerprints all over the game, dishing out five assists, initiating offense through the pick-and-roll, and battling on the defensive end as a screen-navigating, ball-hounding menace that had two blocks, one steal and two deflections.

Fantastic defensive possession from the #Celtics that’s rewarded with an open look from Hugo Gonzalez. pic.twitter.com/ydnk2HRmYu

— Robby Fletcher (@RFletcher_VT) July 11, 2025​

In 21 minutes, Shulga presented a steady hand as one of the team’s few traditional lead guards. Despite Memphis’ intense ball pressure, Shulga was rarely bothered running the point, ending the game with a clean sheet of zero turnovers, three assists and five points. One of those assists came off the efforts of a fantastic defensive sequence where Shulga closed off a driving lane, deflected a pass and passed the ball back and forth with Williams to set up an easy dunk for the Kentucky big man.

Shulga attempted just four shots, but two showcased the craftiness of the VCU product. Midway through the third quarter, Shulga wrapped around a Williams screen, stopped on a dime, and took the bump as he uncorked a deep shot that banked in with the foul. Early in the fourth, he dashed down the floor on a fastbreak, took more contact and flicked up a left-handed finish for another bucket through the whistle.

“I trust him a lot,” Reynolds said of Shulga. “I think he does everything pretty well, he’s very solid, you know what you’re getting with him, and I think he’s only going to improve as the course of Summer League and the rest of his career moves on.”

Williams also did a little bit of everything in his first Celtics appearance, scoring on all three of his shot attempts with 3-of-4 shooting from the line (9 points) and two blocks. Williams, already known as a playmaking hub, served up a beautiful skip pass assist on a Miles Norris 3-pointer late in the first quarter.

This pass from Amari Williams is just stupid lol pic.twitter.com/UByrK5pcym

— NikNBA (@__Kingnik) July 11, 2025​

Williams was challenged down in the paint, mostly facing off against 6-foot-11, 240-pound center Armando Bacot, who finished 7-of-13 from the field for 14 points to go with six rebounds. Bacot was able to muscle his way past Williams on a few occasions, but Williams was able to get one strong post-up on the block against Bacot that he finished with a left-handed turnaround hook shot.

As far as first impressions go, all three draft picks found ways to impact the game, starting things off on a solid note for the Summer League Celtics, who play their second game of the weekend on Sunday against the Knicks.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...eague-hugo-gonzalez-amari-williams-max-shulga

 

[Boston Celtics]

Hugo Gonzalez’s debut included frustrating moments — and a ton of promise

Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images

The 19-year-old Celtics rookie tallied 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in his Summer League debut against the Grizzlies.

LAS VEGAS — Late in the second quarter of his NBA Summer League debut, Hugo Gonzalez was visibly displeased.

The 19-year-old Celtics rookie had just gone 1 for 5 from the free-throw line, and summer league head coach Matt Reynolds yelled encouraging words at him from the sideline:

“There’s plenty of game left!”

Gonzalez didn’t necessarily have a bad start — his game began with a putback layup, which he immediately followed with a deflection.

But the missed free throws stuck.

“I’m not allowing myself to miss like I did today,” Gonzalez said. “When I’m getting upset because of today’s game, it’s because of the free-throw line.”

Noticed the Celtics head coaches were constantly encouraging Hugo Gonzalez through some early misses:

“They were giving me confidence for my own ball game.” pic.twitter.com/Q7XVU6FzCU

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) July 11, 2025​

All in all, Gonzalez was solid in his debut game — he finished with 12 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds. And, defensively, Gonzalez was relentless, pressuring the ball and tallying two blocks and a steal.

“That was an excellent tone that he and our backcourt set throughout the course of the game,” said Reynolds.

Reynolds also praised Gonzalez’s decision-making, noting that the Spanish rookie made several good reads that didn’t translate in points.

“I thought that he created some advantages that we didn’t capitalize on, some that he might have just had a tough roll around the rim or a kick out that we missed, but I thought he was really composed down the stretch,” said the Celtics coach.

For Gonzalez, the debut was a challenging one, with the pace, in particular, posing an adjustment.

“It was hard,” he said. “I was feeling actually quite tired, but you gotta fight against that.”

But there weren’t any nerves, he explained, pointing to his breadth of professional experience and time playing in Europe. And, as he fielded questions in both English and Spanish, he came off as a pro.

Teammates have been impressed with the rookie so far. Center Charles Bassey, who was a late addition to the Celtics’ Summer League roster and is entering his fifth NBA season, pointed to an offensive bag that Gonzalez didn’t necessarily showcase in his debut.

“He loves that Euro step floater,” Bassey said. “I’ve never seen anybody block it. I tried to block it — I couldn’t. He’s a good player.”

The Celtics came away with a 92-78 victory in their first Summer League game. Ultimately, that’s what was most important to Gonzalez.

“I think that we performed really well,” Gonzalez said. “We won the game; that was the main objective. Before thinking of individual stuff and everything, we won the game. That’s what we’re here for.”

But he was stuck on the free throws.

“I’m not allowing myself to do that again.”

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/12/24465985/hugo-gonzalez-boston-celtics-rookie-debut

 

[Boston Celtics]

Jaylen Brown opens up on his Celtics journey, diehard fans, next year, and more

Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

The Celtics All-Star shared his gratitude for a summer of immense love from the Boston community — and reflects on the upcoming season.

CAMBRIDGE — Nearly every week this summer, Jaylen Brown has hosted some sort of community event.

He’s held 741 Performance pop-ups outside of TD Garden, spent time at a Juneteenth celebration in Dorchester, and organized a Canobie Lake Park meet-and-greet in New Hampshire.

He’s surprised hundreds of kids at Roxbury schools, who erupted upon his unexpected arrival.

Last week, he hosted his week-long Bridge camp at MIT for high schoolers from the Boston area as part of the immersive educational program he’s been running since 2021.

But, for Brown, these events aren’t just a service to his community.

They are a therapeutic part of his Boston journey, one that has had well-chronicled ups and downs.

“It’s just as warming to me as it is to them,” Brown told me last week of these encounters. “It’s very, very mutual. The narrative is that I’m giving so much, but it’s so much they’re giving me as well.”

Jaylen Brown teaching one kid to square up and shoot before signing the basketball pic.twitter.com/0SdAI4NpMC

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) June 19, 2025​

The vibrant support from the community this summer carries extra significance, in part because Brown’s tenure with the Celtics hasn’t always been smooth sailing.

“It’s been a long journey here in Boston,” Brown said. “I’ve had to deal with a lot. I feel like I haven’t been able to be myself in certain capacities — because of the politics, and because maybe people feel uncomfortable with who I am.”

On the court, Brown has felt he’s made sacrifices and altered his game in ways that he hasn’t always agreed with.

“I disagree with a lot of things,” he said. “I’ve had to change roles, styles. I’ve had to do things that other players of my talent just haven’t had to do, and I’ve been okay with them, because I’ve always been a team guy. I feel like sometimes that gets taken for granted.”

At the same time, he recognizes that all of it — the good and the bad — ultimately culminated in what’s long been his primary goal: Banner 18.

“I’m extremely grateful that we won a championship,” Brown said. “I’m extremely grateful that we’ve been able to have success, and that’s what it’s about. It’s not all about you, it’s not all about me, you know what I mean? I want the next generation to know that as well — it’s okay to play your role on the team. It’s okay to do whatever, but don’t let that define you.”

Jaylen Brown’s time with Celtics fans this summer has been uplifting ​

When Brown is at a pop-up, and he sees a never-ending line of Celtics fans decked out in his No. 7 jersey, he reflects on some of the more difficult moments.

And oftentimes, he recognizes almost every face.

“These people have become my friends now,” Brown said, pointing to the dozens of people who show up hours early to nearly every event he participates in.

“I’m different. I’ve done different things, pissed people off, made people not like me, things like that. I appreciate those who show up. We have people show up in the rain. That is very appreciated by me.”

Jaylen Brown is signing 741 merch here outside of TD Garden for fans, many of whom have been waiting to meet him since the AM pic.twitter.com/6knWm9nM4w

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) May 24, 2025​

Brown thinks about those diehard fans as he gets in his early-morning rehab, as he hones his basketball skillset, and as he plays through pain.

“They’re part of the reason why you can never give up, because it’s disrespect to people that really, really, really believe in you,” he said.

“I appreciate them so much. They show up everywhere. They love the fact that I do stuff outside of [basketball], and that’s what you’re supposed to be about. Some people hate that I do that stuff, which is weird to me, but that’s the reality of the world that we live in. People just wish I would just play basketball instead of trying to help people in my community. I would never understand those people. But the people that show up are the people that I appreciate. They get it.”

Brown admittedly didn’t expect this summer to become the immersive, connected community experience it’s been. But after the Celtics were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs for the first time since the 2021 season, he found himself with more time on his hands than usual.

“I was expecting to go back-to-back and win a championship, but that didn’t happen,” Brown said. “So, we had a little extra time. I had surgery, which I wasn’t expecting either. That kind of became a reality toward the end of the season, so rehab and stuff kept me here.”

In hindsight, though an early elimination and offseason surgery were far from ideal circumstances, Brown feels he’s made the most of the cards he was dealt.

And, connecting with his most fervent and loyal supporters has been a massive source of joy.

“It’s been great,” he said. “I’ve had so much fun every single week, seeing even some of the same people over and over, and meeting new people. It’s been awesome.”

Jaylen Brown is going down the line greeting fans who are (once again) waiting in the rain pic.twitter.com/8ZgKU1LFAB

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) June 7, 2025​

He appreciates that the same fans who line up in the extreme weather are probably some of the ones who fight for him online. Now, he knows them on a much deeper level.

“I don’t really fight for myself,” Brown said. “You don’t really see me go and disagree, or [say] what I actually feel and see and think — especially from a basketball perspective. I just kind of — whatever the team wants, whatever people need me to do, I’ve done.”

Brown sees the discourse around him, but said he’s typically reluctant to contribute or to dispel narratives he doesn’t agree with.

“I don’t really say a lot,” Brown said. “I just say the least possible, because I don’t want somebody to take my words, and go into a different direction, which is very, very popular through the media, especially in Boston.”

Brown is looking forward to the upcoming Celtics season ​

The night the Celtics were eliminated by the Knicks, the Celtics’ star addressed fans at the Madison Square Garden podium. Tatum had torn his Achilles just days before, and the mood was unsurprisingly somber.

“I know Boston — it looks gloomy right now, obviously with JT being out, and us ending the year, but it’s a lot to look forward to,” Brown said then. “I want the city to feel excited about that. This is not the end.”

When Brown made those remarks in mid-May, it wasn’t certain who would be on the team next season. For a moment, the status of nearly every player on the roster appeared up in the air — even his name circulated in trade rumors. And while the Celtics’ offseason isn’t officially over, the team’s roster is already dramatically different from last season’s.

At minimum, the Celtics will be without Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kornet – all of whom have formally departed this offseason. They will likely also be without Al Horford, who is reportedly expected to sign with the Golden State Warriors, and Jayson Tatum, who is expected to miss most, if not all, of the year recovering from his injury.

On the outside, many have described this upcoming season as a “rebuilding” or “retooling” season. The championship expectations that the franchise has faced for years are on a brief hiatus.

Still, there’s an undeniably strong core that the Celtics are poised to bring into the future. On Draft Night, Brad Stevens named Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard as foundational pieces on the roster, alongside Tatum. All three players could be due for a leap forward in their game next year.

Sam Hauser, whose name has also floated around in trade rumors, is another carryover from the championship rotation.

Asked Brad Stevens, amid the uncertainty, what he does expect from next year’s roster:

“We've got the foundation. With Jaylen and Jayson and D-White and Payton and all those guys that a lot of teams love to have.” pic.twitter.com/VJrtKJSyeo

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) June 26, 2025​

But, how the less proven frontcourt trio will fare remains an open question, with Stevens quipping, “We’re going to find out, right?” when asked about the big-man rotation last week, while subsequently expressing confidence in the potential of Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, and Amari Williams.

For the Celtics to exceed expectations, someone will have to anchor that more uncertain frontcourt. Additionally, Pritchard, who is fresh off a Sixth Man of the Year and his best-ever shooting season, will likely have to continue to up his game.

Above all, for the Celtics to surprise the basketball world, Brown will almost inevitably have to put together a career year. Last year, as he battled his first significant knee injury, his efficiency dropped substantially during the regular season. That came just a few months after the peak of his basketball career, when he was named both Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals MVP.

Next season, Brown feels up to the task to lead a Celtics roster that most people have counted out.

“I feel like I’m very talented,” Brown said. “I’m one of the talented people in this league, on this planet, I feel like. I’m looking forward to showing the world more.”

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...ston-celtics-offseason-community-jayson-tatum

 

[Boston Celtics]

Summer Celtics exact revenge on Knicks, win 94-81

Photo by Candice Ward/NBAE via Getty Images

Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, and Charles Bassey shine on the Strip.

In a Game 7 we didn’t get a chance to see in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Celtics beat the Knicks 94-81 in their second Summer League game on the Vegas Strip.

Led by a balanced attack from Boston’s draft picks, the Summer C’s overcame a poor-shooting night from 3 (5-of-27) with an aggressive defense (forcing 22 Knicks turnovers for 29 points).

The team had planned for Hugo Gonzalez to sit out one of the games of Boston’s back-to-back today and tomorrow. Gonzalez, along with Miles Norris, were on the bench in Cox Pavillion. In Gonzalez’s place, Baylor Scheierman filled in as the de facto point guard.

Many had hoped/projected Scheierman to make a Sam Hauser-type jump as a possible shooter/spacer, but coming out of Creighton, he already had a more well-rounded game. With a leaner, stronger body at his disposal, Scheierman had the ball in hands a lot against NY and dished out a team-high eight assists. He’s made just 2-of-15 from 3, but his shot has never been a concern. Rather, his developing skill set as a playmaker could immediately earn him playing time next season.

Stevens: "(Scheierman) played really well at the end of the regular season. The biggest challenge now is ... don't try to do too much. Don't try to be somebody that you're not."

— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) July 13, 2025​

When players are drafted, they come into the league with NBA-ready skills. Defense was Jordan Walsh’s calling card out of Arkansas was his defense. His offense was always going to be a work in progress, but after two years and with a chance to be a mainstay in the rotation, he’ll have to add that “three-and-” to his repertoire. Walsh is a confident shooter and that’s translated to some decent stretches, but the consistency hasn’t been there. Against the Summer Knicks, Walsh made just one of his six attempts, but he was attacking the rim and earned eleven trips to the line.

The curiosity over Charles Bassey’s strong play continues to grow in Sin City. After four seasons in San Antonio troubled with a torn ACL and a left knee bone bruise that forced him to miss half of last year, Bassey continued to be a force against New York, finishing with another double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds.

Second round pick Amari Williams finished with two points and three rebounds. Max Shulga had seven points and two assists, including several crafty finishes around the rim.

The Celtics play their third SL game tomorrow against the Miami Heat at 8 pm EST.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...icks-win-94-81-baylor-scheierman-jordan-walsh

 

[Boston Celtics]

Joe Mazzulla had a message for Celtics forward after Summer League ejection

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

The Celtics head coach instantly texted Walsh that he loved his ejection in Monday’s match-up against the Heat.

LAS VEGAS — Jordan Walsh’s night didn’t end the way he wanted after he was ejected in the second quarter of Monday’s Summer League game against the Miami Heat.

But the 21-year-old Celtic nonetheless earned praise from head coach Joe Mazzulla after he picked up two technical fouls in 10 seconds and was tossed out of the game.

“As soon as I got ejected, I got to the locker room, I checked my phone, He was texting me, ‘I loved this out of you,’” Walsh said after the game. “So take that for what it is, but Joe was hype.”

Jordan Walsh said Joe Mazzulla loved his ejection and that he had a text from him by the time he got in the locker room:

“He told me he loved it.. Joe was hype.” pic.twitter.com/Cxt4pdDJyh

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) July 15, 2025​

And, while Mazzulla — who was sitting in the bleachers with his family — may have celebrated the play, Walsh apologized to Celtics general manager Brad Stevens.

Stevens was sitting courtside alongside new owner Bill Chisholm and other members of the front office, including assistant general manager Mike Zarren. The action developed right in front of the Celtics brass.

“I apologize to him, just because that’s not really me,” Walsh said. “I’m more of a professional than that, more mature than that — so I just wanted to make sure that he knew that this wasn’t gonna be a continuous thing.”

The ejection came as a result of two pushes — the first being a dust-up with Heat forward Eric Stevenson after he finished a running finger-roll layup, and the second coming Walsh fouled guard Pelle Larson.

Jordan Walsh has been ejected — got into a scuffle right into Bill Chisholm and Brad Stevens pic.twitter.com/ZHekGRsjVh

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) July 15, 2025​

Walsh said he momentarily forgot about the initial technical foul when he picked up his second. Summer League head coach Matt Reynolds said he didn’t even realize Walsh had picked up the first one.

Walsh said the extra aggression was in part the result of a desire to be an agitator.

“I feel like I’m trying to get into people’s skin, like I’m trying to get him off there,” he said. “I’m trying to get him confused and throw them off their rhythm. [It] ended up happening to me, but I want to disrupt everybody. I want to take out your rhythm. I want to take you out of your plays, your sets. I want to speed you up.”

Walsh was in the middle of a strong performance when he quickly accrued the two technicals, having scored 13 points on 5 of 8 shooting in 10 minutes. After the game, he explained he felt like he was standing up for himself after previously being pushed around this week.

Still, he regretted the decision to retaliate.

“I don’t ever want to get pushed around,” Walsh said. “I feel like this whole summer league I was getting hit and like it was like, doing all types of stuff to me. They was letting it go, so I was kind of like letting it slide. But at the same time, I should have known better than to take it to that next level. I feel like I knew better than that.”

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/15/24468018/joe-mazzulla-jordan-walsh-celtics-summer-league

 

[Boston Celtics]

Jalen Bridges embraces his opportunity with Summer League Celtics

Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images

After a year on a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns, undrafted forward Jalen Bridges is looking to prove he belongs at the NBA level.

After spending his rookie season on a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns, 24-year-old forward Jalen Bridges is using an opportunity with the Summer League Celtics to find a new home in his young NBA career.

Bridges — a four-year college player that had stops at West Virginia and Baylor — was added to the Summer League roster two weeks ago, reportedly with an opportunity to battle for a roster spot at training camp this fall.

Jalen Bridges has been added to the Celtics summer league roster, I've been told, and will be going to camp with the team in the fall with a chance to make the roster. He played for Phoenix on a two-way contract as a rookie.

— Jay King (@ByJayKing) July 2, 2025​

Starting out the 2026 summer league as a DNP, Bridges was thrust into the starting lineup Sunday, delivering an efficient 16-point performance in just under 23 minutes during Boston’s 94-81 win over the Knicks. It was a productive two-way effort from the 6-foot-8 wing, who shot 6-of-10 from the field, grabbed five rebounds and came away with two steals and two blocks.

A day later against the Miami Heat, Bridges played 12 minutes in a 100-96 loss.

After a game spent on the bench while Boston fans extolled over the tenacious debut effort of first round pick Hugo Gonzalez, head coach Matt Reynolds praised Bridges for a workmanlike performance that helped the team to victory.

“I saw a guy that’s ready to play,” Reynolds said. “It’s not easy to do that, to watch from the bench and then get inserted into a starting lineup and just fill a role.

“I don’t think he was out there trying to do too much. He does exactly what you expect him to do. He’s a pro, he knows what he’s doing and we commend him for stepping in having not played and contributing to a win.”

In his lone season as a pro, Bridges had been a reliably productive perimeter shooter with size to crash the glass. Though he made eight brief appearances for the Phoenix Suns last year, Bridges had a promising sample size with their G-League affiliate, the Valley Suns, scoring 14 points per game across 31 regular season appearances, finishing with shooting splits of 42/39/79 to go with 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists.

It’d ultimately be a one-year trial for Bridges in Phoenix, and now he’s embracing the opportunity to impress for a Celtics team that currently has a full roster, but room to maneuver come training camp.

“Things kind of fell through there, they chose to go in a different direction,” Bridges said of his time in Phoenix. “I’m very self-aware, I don’t necessarily feel I gave them reasons to keep me. I felt like I had a good season, but I know what I’m capable of and I didn’t feel like I played up to that. I’m just happy for this opportunity.”

In his early minutes in Las Vegas, Bridges is leaning into his ability as a floor-spacing perimeter shooter, but he mentioned prioritizing effort in the little things as the primary method in which he’ll earn minutes on the floor and chances at open shots.

“My goals are just to go out and play hard, play with effort,” he said. “I feel like when you do that the basketball gods take care of you, the ball just seems to find you, whether that be in transition, making a layup, making an easy open shot. When you play hard, the rest takes care of itself. That’s just really what I’m trying to hang my hat on.”

Hailing from Fairmont, Bridges is a rare West Virginia native at the NBA level. The Fairmont Senior High standout is the first NBA player from the state since Donte Grantham, who played in three NBA games in 2019. Prior to that, Deron Williams and O.J. Mayo were the most recent recognizable faces from the Mountain State, though neither has played since 2018.

“I know where I come from, and I’m not trying to go back so I’ve gotta go a little bit harder than everybody else,” Bridges said. “That’s just the reality of the situation, especially when you have that undrafted tag on you.”

Bridges also has a small built-in connection to Joe Mazzulla, who coached his cousin during his time as head coach at Fairmont State.

After some promising moments in his first minutes of action, Bridges will continue to get opportunities in Vegas to show Boston’s coaching staff that he’s a serious candidate for a roster spot this season.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...es-his-opportunity-with-summer-league-celtics

 

[Boston Celtics]

Saving the Celtics, one fake Anfernee Simons trade at a time

Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

Exploring Anfernee Simons trade options that help the Celtics save money, stay competitive, and avoid wasting draft capital.

The fireworks were not fun this year. The Celtics traded away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis due to salary cap limitations, lost Luke Kornet to the San Antonio Spurs for the same reason, and Al Horford is all but officially gone as he attempts to join a more competitive team. Those NBA champions have been replaced by Anfernee Simons, Georges Niang, Josh Minott, and Luka Garza — some intriguing players with a wide range of success and experience in the NBA. However, none of them will be mistaken for Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford or Luke Kornet.

For now, it appears the free agency fireworks are over for the Boston Celtics. It seems the last big piece of unfinished business for Brad Stevens and the front office is whether Anfernee Simons is part of the plan for the 2025-2026 season.

Last week, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on The Hoop Collective podcast that “the Celtics are actively trying to trade Anfernee Simons.”

It makes sense for the Celtics to move Anfernee Simons for a couple of reasons. The obvious one being the glaring lack of talent at the big man spot. The other: the Celtics are currently $20.26 million over the luxury tax. While Brad Stevens has stressed that getting out of the luxury tax and resetting the repeater penalties is “not the priority. The priority is continuing to make sure we have our future firsts and all these things that are in play for us so that we can use those to build”.

What those comments mean to me is that the Celtics want to get under the luxury tax, but won’t deplete their assets to do it. I have to assume Brad doesn’t want to trade Sam Hauser purely for tax reasons. The preferred path is to trade Simons for less money, then trade Georges Niang into a Traded Player Exception.

Let’s look at Anfernee Simons and his potential value around the league. In this current salary cap environment, many teams are navigating a tricky landscape, either carefully managing their luxury tax, starting their repeater tax clock, avoiding the first or second aprons, or being constrained by those aprons. Small guards, who are excellent offensive players but play no defense that get paid $27 million are not in high demand. D’Angelo Russell signed a contract this offseason that will pay him $6 million this upcoming season. Simons is the better player, but not $20 million better.

But enough blabbering. It’s fake trade time.

Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images

Fake Trade #1: The Celtics bring in a Montenegrin big man

Boston Celtics receive Nikola Vucevic.

Chicago Bulls receive Anfernee Simons.

The Celtics get their big man and save $6.2 million in the process.

Who says no?

If the Celtics are trying to save money, they say yes. If the Celtics are trying to win games next season, they say yes. However, Vucevic is not a big man of the future. You could potentially re-sign Vuc to a cheap deal the following season and have him as a nice rotational piece, but that feels short-sighted. While there are obvious deficiencies at the big man spot, it makes more sense in a retooling season to try to develop some younger pieces. Also, Vuc might help the Celtics win a few too many games.

The Bulls just drafted Noa Essengue as their big man of the future, so they would be clearing the way for him to play more minutes. They also have Zach Collins and Jalen Smith as rotational bigs to fill the Vucevic departure. On the other hand, the Bulls have Coby White, who is a cheaper version of Anfernee Simons, as well as a myriad of perimeter players in Kevin Huerter, Ayo Dosunmu, and Isaac Okoro. I think the Bulls say no, but it’s the Bulls, so you never know.

Photo by Amanda Loman/Getty Images

Fake Trade #2: The Celtics acquire a tank commander

Boston Celtics receive Kyle Kuzma + 2026 second-round pick (via Utah).

Milwaukee Bucks receive Anfernee Simons.

The Celtics add needed front-court depth, save $5.3 million, add a pick, and acquire a player that will help them land a top-10 pick in the 2026 draft.

Who says no?

On the surface, adding a 6-foot-10 forward with ball skills makes sense for a Celtics team that projects to struggle on the glass this upcoming season. Taking on an additional year of big money for a player of Kuzma’s (low) caliber is likely a non-starter for Brad Stevens, even if the 2026 second-round pick from Utah projects to be in the low 30s.

The Bucks currently have one perimeter player on their roster who is a plus ball handler: Kevin Porter Jr. The Bucks desperately need the services of Anfernee Simons. If they throw in the remainder of their already depleted draft assets, maybe the Celtics would accept this deal.

Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images

Fake Trade #3 - The Celtics acquire a platter of Grizzlies

Boston Celtics receive Brandon Clarke, Vincent Williams Jr., and John Konchar.

Memphis Grizzlies receive Anfernee Simons.

The Celtics acquire smaller, movable salaries, an interesting prospect, and save $6.7 million.

Who says no?

This would be a home run trade for the Boston Celtics. They would acquire smaller salaries that they could then spin off to save more money, and they would bring in a good young player in Vince Williams.

Ja Morant and Ty Jerome are the lone reliable perimeter creators on the Grizzlies. Would the Grizzlies be interested in some Ja Morant insurance? Maybe they use this Simons trade as the catalyst to pull the plug on the Ja Morant era. Unfortunately, this is all wish-casting on the side of the Celtics. If Brad Stevens were willing to include a first-round draft pick to incentivize the Grizzlies to accept this deal, we might have something here.

Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Fake Trade #5 - The Big Kahuna

Boston Celtics receive Rui Hachimura and John Konchar.

LA Lakers receive Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Georges Niang.

Memphis Grizzlies receive Anfernee Simons.

Utah Jazz receive Jared Vanderbilt + two second-round picks (swap rights with the LA Clippers and the worst of the Timberwolves, Knicks, Pelicans, Blazers).

The Celtics save $11.4 million and bolster their frontcourt. We might be onto something here.

Who says no?

Another potential home run for the Celtics front office. Saving $11.4 million while breaking Simons’ salary into two smaller contracts, one of which is Rui Hachimura, who fills a position of need, and the other, John Konchar, who is a solid role player you could either keep or flip to save more money.

The Lakers acquire more perimeter defense to try to plug the hole that is Luka Doncic’s defense. And more importantly, the Lakers clear long-term money for their pursuit of the next star that wants to land in their lap for no apparent reason.

The Grizzlies bring in more firepower and ball handling while shedding long-term money.

The Jazz are treated to two second-round picks for taking on Jared Vanderbilt’s contract.

This is the trade. Everybody wins.

Four-team trades are hard to pull off. Trades between two historic rivals are hard to pull off. But we did just see the first seven-team trade in history. Why not dream a little?

Call it in, Brad.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...mons-trade-at-a-time-brad-stevens-mike-zarren

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics free agent signs with Charlotte Hornets

Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images

Forward Drew Peterson, who spent the last year and a half with the Celtics, is reportedly signing a two-way contact with the Hornets.

Drew Peterson, who spent a year and a half with the Celtics and was a restricted free agent, has signed a two-way contract with the Charlotte Hornets, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Monday night.

Former Celtics forward Drew Peterson has agreed to a two-way NBA deal with the Charlotte Hornets, agents Mike Silverman and Troy Payne of Equity Sports tell ESPN. Hornets' Charles Lee coached Peterson in Boston two seasons ago.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 15, 2025​

Peterson signed a two-way contract in Boston in the middle of the 2023-24 championship season and was also a two-way player last year. But he was a restricted free agent this summer, and the Celtics did not extend him a qualifying offer. His fate was likely altered when Boston traded the No. 32 pick for the No. 46 and No. 57 picks in the draft, thereby walking away with two second-round picks in need of a two-way contract in Amari Williams and Max Shulga.

In two seasons, Peterson appeared in 28 games for the Celtics, averaging 2.3 points per game on 44.7% shooting, and converting 42.1% from three. But, he never got a substantial on-court opportunity, and only found himself in the rotation in a handful of games.

On the Hornets, Drew Peterson will reunite with former Celtics coaches ​

Peterson will see several familiar faces in Charlotte, as head coach Charles Lee was the Celtics’ lead assistant when Peterson was a rookie in Boston. The connections don’t end there; Peterson spent most of that rookie season with the Maine Celtics playing under Blaine Mueller, and Mueller is now one of Lee’s assistants in Charlotte.

Last month, before the draft, Peterson told CelticsBlog / CLNA Media that he was working toward securing a standard contract.

“I’m hoping to just show my worth and show that I can play out there,” Peterson said. “And I was happy with the stints I got this year, and to really show, I can compete in these high-level NBA games. So the goal is always progressing in that regard. So we’ll kind of see what happens with that.”

Peterson also said he hoped he would re-sign with the Celtics.

“I love it here,” Peterson said. “It’s been a great couple of years, and I hope to be here for a long time... I can’t speak better, how much I love being in Boston.”

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...ree-agent-signs-charlotte-hornets-charles-lee

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics lose first Summer League game to Heat 100-96

Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images

Summer Celtics came back into the contest with a strong second half, but register a first loss in Las Vegas.

The Boston Celtics returned to action for Game 3 of the Las Vegas Summer League on Monday night at the Pavilion on Day 5. The Summer C’s dropped their first game of Summer, as the Heat prevailed for a 100-96 victory.

Rookie prospect Hugo González returned to action for Boston as he started the game alongside Charles Bassey, Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, and Max Shulga.

Jordan Walsh blew a dunk attempt in the game’s first seconds, and both teams missed early looks before Max Shulga fed Bassey on a two-handed lob for the first score of the night.

Scheierman then dove to the ground for a loose ball and found Walsh from a seated possession as the third-year man got out for an open layup.

González had a pair of quick turnovers and two fouls to start the contest as he still adapts to the pace and intensity of Summer League. Scheierman found Jordan Walsh down low for his second assist as he sealed and overpowered Erik Stevenson for a three-point play.

Both Miami and Boston were evenly matched early in the contest, as they both had 11 points to tie it at the first timeout. Norris, Lofton Jr. and Wong were first off the bench for the C’s alongside Walsh and Scheierman. Walsh paced the C’s early as he hit on his first three-point attempt and logged 8 points with 4 minutes to go in the first quarter.

González got stripped attempting a euro step through the Miami key; the rookie from Spain was having a quarter to forget. Isaiah Wong converted two free throw attempts to break a Boston scoring drought. Miami then went on an 8-0 run to end the first quarter, up by 9 points, 30-21.

Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images

Hugo and Shulga converted on their free throws to start the second quarter, as Boston got some point scoring from Kendall Brown with 5 quick points. The Heat, though, were running the floor well and kept the lead at around 8 points at the midway point.

Scheierman came into the game shooting just 2-15 from three in his first two outings, but he looked good as he nailed a deep three for Boston, just their fourth three-pointer of the contest. Baylor then dropped a slick dime to Jordan Walsh on the fast break for a strong dunk and his tenth point.

Amari Williams was a DNP in this one, and with Charles Bassey off the court for the C’s, Miami was feasting on the inside against the smaller Boston lineup.

Jordan Walsh, who was having a great game, picked up a second technical foul as he shoved Pelle Larsson to the ground. A day after he recorded 7 fouls, Walsh went to the showers early with the scores 43-40 to Miami. Larsson hit on a nifty running bank shot; he was productive in the first half for Miami with 12 first-half points in his last game before flying back to Sweden for the 2025 Euros.

Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images

Boston went scoreless for a four-minute stretch after the Walsh incident and scored just 20 points in the entire second quarter. Miami certainly looked like the hungrier team throughout the first half; the Heat led 54-41 at the half.

Norris would start the second half in place of Jordan Walsh and he converted on a three-pointer and then had converted on a circus shot, up-and-under layup to score the first 5 points of the second half.

Scheierman hit on his second three of the game from the corner, as the C’s kept things interesting to start the third quarter. González had another euro step into the Miami lane but the ball bobbled loose off the rim, Hugo was 0-7 from the field, before finally converting on a three pointer.

Boston was back in the contest at the midway point of the quarter, as Scheierman’s off balance thirteenth point of the night cut the Miami lead to just 5 points.

Norris, Scheierman, Lofton Jr were all solid in the third period for Boston as the Summer C’s managed to outscore the Heat, 31 to 18 and tie the game at 72 apiece.

Boston had shifted the momentum in the third quarter and it would be interesting to see how they would close the game without Jordan Walsh. González was having a rough night overall but his second three-pointer of the night gave Boston it’s first lead since the first quarter, 76-74.

Scheierman missed on another three pointer and Hugo González crashed the boards hard from the weak side for the hustle tip-in play, his eleventh point of the night.

Both teams traded baskets in the closing phase of the game. Lofton Jr. was productive in the fourth, he had consecutive makes and found Kendall Brown with a smooth pass on the interior for the C’s. Boston held a 89-85 lead with 2 and a half minutes to go.

Larsson hit a layup and was fouled by Scheierman and the Swede handed the Heat the lead 93-91. Scheierman then hit a corner triple to cut the game to 1 point, however Stevenson hit a three of his own with the shot clock expiring. That would be enough for the Heat to hang on for their first win in the 2025 Summer League.

Scheierman would lead Boston with 19 points, 9 assists and 5 steals, Lofton Jr. had 12 points and Walsh had 13 points in just 10 minutes of play. 7 players would finish in double figures for Boston.

The Summer Celtics face the Los Angeles Lakers next on Thursday at 9pm.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/14/24467947/celtics-lose-first-summer-league-game-to-heat-100-96

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics Summer League standout leaves team after 3 games

Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images

Charles Bassey, who was one of the Celtics’ best players through the first three games of Summer League, is no longer with the team.

LAS VEGAS — Celtics Summer League standout Charles Bassey is no longer with the team, the Celtics shared ahead of Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. He was always slated to play just three games, the team said, and had prior obligations the rest of the way.

Bassey was one of the team’s most consistent performers through three games. He opened up Summer League with a 14-point, 11-rebound performance in a Celtics’ win over the Memphis Grizzlies, and followed that up with a 22-point, 13-rebound, 3-block performance over the New York Knicks.

Charles Bassey was a BEAST off the bench!

He posted a team-leading 22 PTS and 13 REB in just 22 MIN to power the @celtics to victory over the Knicks. #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/NfCLugSOvS

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) July 14, 2025​

In Bassey’s final game with the Celtics, he recorded 10 points and 9 rebounds.

Bassey wasn’t initially listed on the Celtics’ Summer League roster, but was a last-minute addition. Summer league head coach Matt Reynolds said that Bassey missed the live portion of the first day of practice, but joined the team shorty after.

After his debut, when asked what drew him to the opportunity, Bassey cited a reason several Summer League players have pointed to this summer: “The culture.”

Charles Bassey explains he was a last-minute Summer League roster addition, and tells @JackSimoneNBA what drew him to the Celtics:

“The culture.” pic.twitter.com/dzklVGLe8j

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) July 11, 2025​

Bassey’s departure provides Amari Williams with more opportunity ​

Bassey, who was on a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs last season, seemed like he could be a good fit to bolster the Celtics’ frontcourt.

But his departure opens up additional opportunity for Amari Williams, whom the Celtics selected with the 46th overall pick. Williams has appeared in two games so far during Summer League, playing 22 minutes in his debut and 16 minutes in the Celtics’ second game.

Additionally, forward/center Kenny Lofton — who recently won MVP of the Chinese Basketball Association — could see increased minutes in Bassey’s absence.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/17/24469673/celtics-summer-league-charles-bassey-leaves

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics beat Lakers 87-78 to close out Summer League regular season

Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

Hugo Gonzalez and Jordan Walsh show out in big rivalry game

In the newest iteration of the Celtics vs Lakers rivalry, this Summer League matchup would go in Boston’s favor in a 87-78 victory.

After getting ejected from Game 3 on Monday, Jordan Walsh came back with an excellent performance tonight scoring a team high 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals on 6-11 shooting from the field and 2-4 shooting from three.

The last two games have been some of the best we’ve seen from Walsh as he really started to settle in which is a great sign for the Celtics moving forward. He was not only making the right play but also being able to shoot the ball efficiently is a huge plus for his future with Boston. One of his highlight plays included a dunk off of a jump ball that really got the Celtics offense going in the third quarter and put the finishing touches on the game with a monster windmill dunk coming off an inbound pass from Kenneth Lofton Jr.

Jordan Walsh goes WINDMILL on the break

BOS-LAL in Vegas on ESPN pic.twitter.com/PlTgFZ9VH9

— NBA (@NBA) July 18, 2025​

After a tough game against Miami, Hugo Gonzalez was able to bounce back with a good performance as he finished with 13 points and 5 rebounds on 4-11 shooting from the field and 2-4 shooting from three. Gonzalez was showing his play making off early as he had a nice play where he cut from the corner, received the ball, and immediately dumped it off to Miles Norris for a dunk.

A couple dimes & a dunk ‍ pic.twitter.com/Y1daaIRPiW

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 18, 2025​

His scoring was in full effect as well, scoring 10 of his points in the first half drilling a couple corner threes and looking incredibly comfortable. Gonzalez’s three ball was seen as a weakness going into the Draft so it was encouraging to see him look comfortable.

Baylor Scheierman was shooting 31% from the field and 21% from three over the course of Summer League so far and continued to struggle in this game as he finished with 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists on 2-14 shooting from the field and 2-11 shooting from beyond the arc.

Although his shooting was off, Scheierman was still playing at a high level offensively when it came to facilitating and playing solid defense. Hopefully by the preseason he will find his shot as he has a big opportunity to get a legitimate spot in the Celtics rotation this year.

Boston was without Charles Bassey in this matchup who was only signed for the first 3 games of Summer League due to other summer commitments. Bassey averaged 15.3 PPG and 11 REB on 70% in his time with the Celtics. This opened up a spot for Amari Williams in the starting lineup and he was able to take advantage with 8 points and 6 rebounds on 3-10 shooting from the field in 20 minutes.

Kenneth Lofton Jr also capitalized off of Bassey’s departure as he had a big second half of this game finishing with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals on 5-8 shooting from the field and 2-4 shooting from three.

Miles Norris was the other standout player tonight with 11 points on 5-11 shooting from the field. Norris was explosive on the offensive end tonight including a big slam dunk in the second half coming off of a nice pass from Max Shulga.

Max Shulga assists the Miles Norris slam #Celtics pic.twitter.com/QGteTseaRC

— Danielle Hobeika (@DanielleHobeika) July 18, 2025​

This win ends the Celtics run in the 2025 Las Vegas Summer League with a final record of 3-1.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...n-walsh-hugo-gonzalez-baylor-scheierman-87-78

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics fans are most impressed with Charles Bassey (NBA Reacts results)

Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts presented by FanDuel, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Boston Celtics fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

The Boston Celtics Summer League team features several promising young players like Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, and Jordan Walsh. However, the player that Celtics fans have been most impressed with thus far is a guy that isn’t even on the Boston roster.

Charles Bassey was a late addition to the Summer League team and impressed everyone with his rebounding and tenacity. Per Noa Dalzell:

Bassey was one of the team’s most consistent performers through three games. He opened up Summer League with a 14-point, 11-rebound performance in a Celtics’ win over the Memphis Grizzlies, and followed that up with a 22-point, 13-rebound, 3-block performance over the New York Knicks.

Per MassLive:

Bassey is an unrestricted free agent after playing his last three seasons with the Spurs. The 6-foot-10 big man has interested the Celtics dating back to last offseason, sources tell MassLive and there is a clear potential for opportunity in Boston after the offseason exits of Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet and Al Horford.

So do you think the Celtics should sign the big man to a contract with the regular season team? Give us your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...ressed-with-charles-bassey-nba-reacts-results

 

[Boston Celtics]

Miles Norris: short-term opportunity, long-term potential

Miles Norris swats a shot during a game against the Hornets. | Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Norris has a high basketball IQ, consistently hustles and can really shoot it.

Every time a star player is injured, that absence has a ripple effect on an entire organization.

The detrimental side is obvious, as the setback frequently yields fewer wins and potentially complicates that player’s trajectory.

The positive aspect is typically less transparent and often comes in the form of silver linings. While no one can truly and fully replace that standout, their absence offers a chance for everyone around them to step up.

Every player has to do a little bit more, at a little bit higher of a level, and sometimes, that opportunity is all that player needs to become a fixture the following season.

Miles Norris is COOKING in Vegas! pic.twitter.com/Ogjj8XySDr

— Maine Celtics (@MaineCeltics) July 18, 2025​

In the case of the Celtics, with Jayson Tatum out for the foreseeable future, everyone else on the roster will have a chance to help fill that void as much as possible. No one can replace his 27 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, efficiency, versatility and face-of-the-franchise swagger, but each player has a shot to show his worth – particularly at the small forward position.

With a guard-heavy roster, Jaylen Brown will have to spend more time at the 3 and shoulder even more of the load. Georges Niang will have to adjust quickly to a new environment. Sam Hauser will have to continue to showcase his improved playmaking ability. Jordan Walsh will have to defend without fouling, consistently hit shots and find his rhythm.

We all know about those guys, but there’s one less-heralded player who could end up making a name for himself: Miles Norris.

Brewster Academy graduate Miles Norris had 10 points & 5 rebounds for the Boston Celtics in NBA Summer League action on Monday. pic.twitter.com/rMs6cxDXxN

— Jason Smith (@BrewsterHoops) July 15, 2025​

Norris, a Brewster Academy product with plenty of upside, has the skill set NBA teams (the Celtics, especially) covet. He’s a legit 6 feet, 7 inches, has a high basketball IQ, spaces the floor well, is disruptive defensively and can really shoot it.

He fits in stylistically with the Celtics and complements Brown, Derrick White, Anfernee Simons and Payton Pritchard perfectly. You can just picture White or Brown sneaking into the paint, drawing a double and spraying it to the wing.

When Niang and Hauser are on the bench, Norris is fully capable of serving as one of those threats. I’m not saying he’s going to average 15 points per game and win the Three-Point Contest, but I do think he has what it takes to find some playing time this year and emerge as a steady player long term.

The Celtics signed Norris to a two-way contract in March – a sign that they believe in him and are intrigued by his promise. A college teammate of Pritchard’s at Oregon, Norris continued to excel in the G League with the Memphis Hustle, averaging 17.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 38.6 percent from distance.

Lofton Jr. with a perfect delivery for Miles Norris at the hoop ‍ pic.twitter.com/It50gvYiJg

— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 18, 2025​

Norris, 25, hasn’t been perfect in Summer League, but few are. He’s displayed his potential with a reliable outside shot, energy all over and a terrific feel for the game. He scored 11 points against the Lakers on 5-of-11 shooting Thursday, doing it on both ends as a 3-and-D guy and showing he’s more than just a sniper.

The next steps are becoming even more efficient from 3, improving his driving ability and sharpening his positioning defensively, and he’s fully capable of doing all three.

Every success story starts somewhere. All it takes is one opportunity, and with Tatum out and everyone moving up a spot, Norris has that chance. If he plays well at the end of lopsided games, he could end up cracking the rotation.

Only time will tell, but he has all the tools he needs, and it’s up to him to seize the moment.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...-term-opportunity-long-term-potential-two-way

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics Summer League players reveal which NBA players they model game after

Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, Amari Williams, and Max Shulga name the NBA players they’re currently watching film of.

LAS VEGAS — Most of the players on the Boston Celtics Summer League team have little to no NBA experience. Several probably won’t ever sign an NBA contract.

But, all of the players who made the trip to Las Vegas with a Summer League roster do so with the hope of one day making it in the NBA, even if that hope is farfetched. Some are right there — Scheierman and Walsh played NBA minutes last year, and Hugo Gonzalez will inevitably get opportunities next season. Some are further away, and are mulling overseas options for next season.

At Summer League, I asked four Celtics players — two former first round picks and two second round picks from this year’s class — which NBA players they’re currently modelling their game after.

Here’s whose film Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, Amari Williams, and Max Shulga are currently watching.

Jordan Walsh — Jaden McDaniels, Aaron Nesmith​

Entering his third season, Jordan Walsh is eyeing his first real NBA rotation opportunity next season. The 21-year-old forward, who was selected with the 38th overall pick in 2023, has had a standout Summer League with the Celtics, averaging 15 points per game on 46.3% shooting and 38.9% from the three-point line.

While Walsh has drawn a lot from his Celtics teammates over the years — he’s frequently named Jrue Holiday as a defender he’s studied — he named two players around the NBA he’s watched film of: Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels and Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith.

“Those are guys that I’m looking at, that I’ve had comparisons to, who are playing a role on championship-level teams,” Walsh said. “I have a bunch of their film, highlights, and stuff on my phone, on my iPad.

McDaniels is one of the NBA’s elite wing defenders and is also someone who can space the floor. Last year, he averaged 12.2 points per game and shot 47.7% from the field. Nesmith emerged as one of the league’s most reliable three-point shooters for the Pacers last year, hitting 43.1% from beyond the arc.

Amari Williams — Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis​

Celtics’ 46th pick Amari Williams is known for his passing and court vision, so it’s no surprise that he currently studies two of the NBA’s best playmaking bigs: Nikola Jokic and Domantas Sabonis.

Williams said before he hit his growth spurt, his favorite NBA player growing up was Derrick Rose. But when he got older (and taller), his inspiration became the two playmaking European bigs.

“[I’m] just seeing how he reads the floor — read the game through his eyes, see what he sees,” Williams said of Jokic. “A few of the European bigs — [Domantas] Sabonis, he’s a lefty as well. The moves he did, I tried to take.”

Amari Williams said Nikola Jokic become one of his inspirations once he hit his growth spurt, and that he’s watched a lot of his film

Back when he was a point guard, it was Derrick Rose pic.twitter.com/16HkNqKbDL

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) July 16, 2025​

Max Shulga — Donte Divincenzo​

Max Shulga is likely to spend some time in the G League as a two-way player with the Maine Celtics before joining the Boston Celtics. The Celtics’ No. 57th pick is currently modeling his game after Minnesota Timberwolves forward Donte DiVincenzo.

“He knocks down open threes, plays defense, disrupts on the defensive end, and when it’s needed, he can get on the ball — playmake, create his own shot, create for his teammates,” Shulga said. “I’ve been watching a lot of him.”

Max Shulga said he’s looking to carve out a Donte Divincenzo role in the NBA, and that he’s been watching a lot of his film:

“He knocks down open threes, plays defense, disrupts on the defensive end, and when it’s needed, he can get on the ball.” pic.twitter.com/hm77b1aq7s

— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) July 16, 2025​

Baylor Scheierman — Mike Conley, Duncan Robinson, Luka Doncic​

Baylor Scheierman has more NBA experience than any current player on the Celtics’ Summer League roster. Scheierman, who was drafted 30th in 2024 after a standout career at Creighton, has struggled with his shot as of late. He’s averaging 12.3 points per game but shooting just 20.5% from three, while also tallying 6.8 assists and 5.3 rebounds a night.

At 24 years old, Scheierman appears to be a likely candidate to enter the rotation if he can find his footing offensively. Last season, he spent the first half of the year in Maine before joining the parent club for the rest of the year.

Scheierman said he doesn’t have one NBA player he’s currently modeling his game after; instead, he’s drawing different skills from different players.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily one guy,” Scheierman said. “I’m watching Mike Conley because he’s got a great floater. watch Luka Doncic because he plays with good pace, plays off two feet, and [has] good passing, Duncan Robinson flying off threes. It’s just taking bits and pieces from other guys that they do well, and trying to implement that into my game.”

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...eveal-which-nba-players-they-model-game-after

 

[Boston Celtics]

Celtics wrap up Summer League with 101-80 win over Hawks

See you in a couple of weeks, Boston basketball.

The Celtics wrapped up Summer League with a 101-80 over a previously undefeated Atlanta Hawks team. Boston was led by 18 points from Isaiah Wong. Jalen Bridges and Benjamin Gregg chipped in with 16 and 13 respectively.

Throughout the five-game exhibition schedule in Sin City, Summer C’s head coach Matt Reynolds has stressed playing up into the ball and flooding passing lanes, pressing three-quarters court, and trapping off of picks. The Celtics forced 15 turnovers for 24 points and with a nod to Mazzulla Ball, Boston hit 17-of-49 from three-point land.

It was a strong 4-1 showing for the rookie head coach. Make sure to check out CelticsBlog’s Noa Dalzell’s feature on Reynolds. Here’s a snippet on the former video coordinator:

In Reynold’s debut game as Summer League head coach — a 92-78 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies — more than 20 of his friends and family sat in the Las Vegas stands.

“It kind of became a must-win game,” he told me later in the week.

Reynolds, who as an assistant typicallly has an iPad in his hands on the bench, didn’t know what kind of a head coach he would be. In his debut, he found himself surprised at just how loud and communicative he was on the sidelines.

“I was yelling a lot,” Reynolds said. “I definitely caught myself being like – I’m really loud right now... sometimes, that’s what the game calls for.”

It’s expected that second round picks Amari Williams and Max Shulga will join the Celtics on two-way contracts (along with Miles Norris) and spend most of their time in Maine. In their final minutes on the Strip, we again got a good sense of what they’ll be working on with the G-League affiliate.

Williams again flashed that passing potential with some nifty work above the break. That’s clearly a big part of his basketball instincts and could serve as a skill that the big club can lean in to, but unless he can improve on the other parts of his game, he’ll most likely not be a factor in Boston until 2026 or 2027. He finished with 6 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists against the Hawks.

A dime from Amari Williams on the skip pass to Jalen Bridges for a 3. The ability to play through Williams, including starting with the guards off the ball, is so valuable. pic.twitter.com/DXiGJ955jE

— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) July 20, 2025​

#Celtics rookie big man Amari Williams facilitating at the top of the key. pic.twitter.com/GhVuKewtAy

— The Celtics Files (@CelticsFiles) July 20, 2025​

Norris, however, continues to be an intriguing option for next season. He joined the team late last year and has all the tools to become an NBA role player right away. His three-point shooting (2-of-7 against Atlanta, 36.7% in college) combined with his size should complement the Jays perfectly.

For Hugo Gonzalez, you can see a need to refine all the raw talent: his handle isn’t there to be an on-ball creator, but he’s got the physical tools and footwork to do it eventually; his three-point shooting is inconsistent, but the form is there; his tenacity as a defender is unquestionable, but consistency over thirty minutes a game and not just in flashes will be key. He finished with 8 points, 2 stocks, and a +22.

Gonzalez didn’t shoot well in his fourth game (1-for-7 from behind the arc), but his defensive activity and transition play stood out:

Go up there and get it 28 pic.twitter.com/3Yr0jzeIhT

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 20, 2025​

Summer League veterans Baylor Scheierman and Jordan Walsh sat out the Summer League finale in favor of letting some of the younger and unaffiliated players to get their final minutes before they look to find opportunities on other teams or abroad.

The team will now not play another game until training camp and their preseason opener on October 8th in Memphis.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...o-gonzalez-amari-williams-miles-norris-101-80

 

[Boston Celtics]

How I learned to stop worrying and love the gap year

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

The Boston Celtics probably won’t be competing for a banner next year, but they can lay the groundwork for the next one

This is Boston. Any year that doesn’t end with a parade is simply not good enough. There’s no silver lining to a season of Jayson Tatum’s prime years lost due to injury.

However, now that we’ve been played that hand, it only makes sense to get as much value out of the upcoming season as we can. In fact, if you open up your mind to it, you can really get a lot out of a year like this.

For several years, this team has been all-in on Banners-or-Bust. In particular, the recent years have featured a top-heavy and stacked roster of talent. That left precious few minutes for development projects. As recently as 2022-23, Payton Pritchard was averaging just over 13 minutes a game. Other promising young players left via trade for veterans (Robert Williams III, Aaron Nesmith).

Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Now, the Celtics have a number of young players that could cut their teeth with live action next year. Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, Josh Minott, and Jordan Walsh to name a few. Not to mention the big man rotation that consists of a pu pu platter of prospects and unproven players (Luka Garza, Neemias Queta, Amari Williams) plus a grizzled veteran at the ripe old age of 26, Xavier Tillman.

Granted, there are no Cooper Flaggs or Victor Wembenyama’s in that group. There might not be any future Payton Pritchards or Sam Hausers either but that’s the level of contributor that the Celtics are hoping to unearth in this group. With enough bites at the proverbial apple, there’s bound to be a seed or two in there somewhere (that sounds gross, but it made sense in my mind because a seed can grow into a tree... just work with me here).

Now most teams that are focused on developing talent are somewhere in the rebuild process and can only trot out the occasional past-his-prime veteran to be the adult in the room (sorry Marcus Smart circa Washington). This Celtics team, however, features a Finals MVP in his prime, a 6th Man of the Year winner, and Derrick White (who is perfect in every way). Both Joe Mazzulla and Brad Stevens will be watching closely to see which of the young guys fits well and thrives with that core group of veterans.

Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

Speaking of those veterans, they will have a whole season to experiment and add to their games in a low-pressure environment (comparatively speaking). Jaylen Brown will finally know what it feels like to be The Man, and all the responsibility that comes with it. White will be a clear 2nd option with even more reason to be aggressive. Pritchard and Hauser are going to eat like me at an all-inclusive resort.

I can’t wait to see how Joe Mazzulla experiments with this roster. I could see some elements of the Pacers “random” offense incorporated. The Celtics have already been stressing cutting as a desired skill in their players. Of course, there are still enough shooters on this roster to hoist up the 3 ball plenty. How they look on defense is another story (and I’m sure Joe is excited about that challenge).

And if you need another reason to perk your ears up in the coming year, just think about rumor season and the trade deadline. Need a creator on an expiring deal? Here’s Anfernee Simons, ready to plug-and-play into any contender’s lineup. Need a shooter? Here’s Georges Niang or Sam Hauser. All we ask in return is picks or promising players on rookie contracts and keep the change.

Unless something very weird and wonderful occurs next season, we won’t be raising Banner #19. But there’s enough interest and intrigue to keep us watching and following this team. At some point next season there will be a stretch where the vision starts coming together and you’ll be able to squint and say, “imagine adding a top-5 player in the NBA to this group.” Because soon enough, that’s gonna happen.

Source: https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/...p-year-joe-mazzulla-jaylen-brown-jayson-tatum