The Boston Celtics came to play in their preseason opener against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden on Sunday. A barrage of shots from beyond the arc complemented by strong ball movement on the perimeter created a balanced effort that steamrolled the Hornets. No Ime Udoka, Robert Williams III, Danilo Gallinari or Luke Kornet? No problem, evidently.
Strong games from deep rotation players Mfiondu Kabengele, Sam Hauser and Noah Vonleh drew the home crowd into the game early, and after a bit of resistance from Charlotte early in the game, quickly turned into a route for the Celtics.
Let’s take a look at how media and fans reacted to Boston’s big preseason win.
Three keys to the game: Celtics dominate Hornets 134-93 in first preseason tilt https://t.co/wzPNwP02q8 via @thecelticswire pic.twitter.com/qiC1Evc2Ag
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) October 2, 2022
First quarter
DO NOT INJURE EACH OTHER
— Mike Dynon ☘️🏀 (@MikeDynon) October 2, 2022
Jaylen Brown looks ready for the season to start.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) October 2, 2022
I'm excited for Kabengele minutes today just sayin
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) October 2, 2022
Jaylen Brown is feeling it… Loved the way he's getting to this spots and attacking.
He's got 7 points (3/4)
— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) October 2, 2022
Jayson Tatum's slow 1st quarter starts carry over into new season. My column.
— John Zannis (@John_Zannis) October 2, 2022
Noah Vonleh is going to be the second Celtic off the bench here.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) October 2, 2022
Jaylen Brown with 12 points in opening eight minutes of the Celtics preseason.
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) October 2, 2022
Second quarter
Mfiondu Kabengele checks in for Noah Vonleh, who looked good throughout that six-minute stint.
He scored a buzzer-beating 3 at the end of Q1 but Vonleh also grabbed 3 rebounds, very active on defense, including nearly stealing the ball in the backcourt
— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) October 2, 2022
A couple very nice takes by Grant Williams to start the second quarter resulting in buckets. Likely was a big point of emphasis this offseason to make him more dangerous offensively after a rough NBA Finals.
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) October 2, 2022
Malcolm Brogdon just assisted on a 3-pointer by Grant Williams, whom Brogdon singled out as someone who has surprised him so far in camp with his play.
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) October 2, 2022
HAUSER HIVE STAND UP https://t.co/yjtjg7CTSn
— Celtics Lab Podcast (@CelticsLab) October 2, 2022
Brogdon already up to 5 assists in his first stint with the #Celtics! https://t.co/biU8NoCKcb
— Abby Chin (@tvabby) October 2, 2022
Brogdon running with Hauser and Grant on the wings is gonna be a pretty legit bench unit
— Skull Berg (@designer_smarf) October 2, 2022
We've finally got the JT/Smart at the five lineup. Smart, Brogdon, White, Brown and Tatum out there against a big hornets lineup of Plumlee AND Washington.
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) October 2, 2022
The #Celtics have scored 66 points in the first half and have 17 turnovers. That's absurd.
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) October 2, 2022
It's only preseason, but that was one hell of a half of basketball by the Celtics.
20 assists on 22 baskets is ridiculous stuff.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) October 2, 2022
Third quarter
Vonleh replaces White in the starting line up for the second half.
— Cameron 🎃 Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) October 2, 2022
Yeah, Jaylen Brown is ready.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) October 2, 2022
Jayson Tatum (13 points) a perfect 6/6 from the free-throw line after that 3-point play.
Celtics ahead 78-55
— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) October 2, 2022
Kabengele is going to work, I think — he just needs some run.
— Dr. Justin Quinn (@justinquinnn) October 2, 2022
Jaylen Brown has a game-high 24 points.
He's been solid today; cool, calm & collected on offense & also pulled down 5 rebounds, shot 3/5 from 3
— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) October 2, 2022
Marcus Smart was fired up over this Mfiondu Kabengele hustle play pic.twitter.com/pyjJAZDrom
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) October 2, 2022
Impressive work by Kabengele with the shot block and not killing Pritchard on the landing.
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) October 2, 2022
With how Vonleh and Kabengele have looked today, I wanted to come back and re-emphasize this.
(Blake is fine for depth, but Boston’s younger guys look hungry.) https://t.co/tEise32XG5
— Jack Simone (@JackSimoneNBA) October 2, 2022
Fourth quarter
The dream of a 30-turnover, 30-point win is still flickering.
After 3 quarters the Cs lead 107-77 and have 23 turnovers.— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) October 2, 2022
Let me on!!!! https://t.co/xZJX7Tt6nq
— Abby Chin (@tvabby) October 2, 2022
It’s the Sam Hauser-Mifiondu Kabengele show, just like we all imagined
— Celtics Lab Podcast (@CelticsLab) October 2, 2022
Davison already looks *much* better.
— Dr. Justin Quinn (@justinquinnn) October 2, 2022
Massachusetts represent (X2) pic.twitter.com/2khKlyqEjr
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) October 2, 2022
After the way September went for the Celtics, I welcome any and all overreactions from this afternoon.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) October 2, 2022
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