The Boston Celtics just put the clamps on Charlotte’s bid to go back-to-back in Summer League. Final score Sunday night: 87-75. The Hornets won the whole thing last year, so this was a statement of sorts for a Celtics roster that’s trying to figure out who’s who for the real season.
Boston is in a weird spot right now. They traded Jaylen Brown to the Sixers for Paul George and some picks, which shakes up the whole Jayson Tatum partnership. Nobody’s totally sure what the ceiling looks like with that new configuration. But the Summer League is a different animal, and the young guys are playing like they want a spot on the actual roster.
Hugo Gonzalez is the name to watch. He’s been leading the charge in Vegas, trying to prove he can be a rotation guy come October. So far so good. He put up 14 points and four rebounds against Charlotte, and the team is 2-0.
The game itself was close early. Boston led by two at the half, 42-40, and it could’ve gone either way. But the Celtics came out of the break with some energy and outscored the Hornets 45-35 in the second half. That’s how you close a game out.
Five Celtics scored in double figures. Dillon Mitchell was the star of the night with 24 points, eight boards, six steals, two assists, and two blocks. Shot 10-of-20 from the field and 2-of-5 from three. John Tonje added 17 points and five rebounds. Milos Uzan had 13 and six assists. Tucker DeVries chipped in 11 points.
The Hornets, meanwhile, are going home early. Reporter Rod Boone summed it up on social media: “No summer league championship repeat for the #Hornets. They’re about to drop second game in as many days after winning opener on Thursday.”
Boston’s next test comes July 13 against the Atlanta Hawks. Tip is at 7 p.m. ET in Las Vegas. We’ll see if Gonzalez and Mitchell can keep this thing rolling.
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