Preseason

Taylor Snow

BOSTON – The Boston Celtics wrapped up their final practice of the preseason Monday afternoon with their collective eagerness seeming higher than it has been in years heading into a season-opener.

After building together over the past month-plus at Auerbach Center, the team will finally get to put their product on the court Wednesday night inside Madison Square Garden. In the meantime, Jaylen Brown and the rest of the crew are counting down the minutes until tip-off against the New York Knicks.

“The excitement level is high,” Brown said after practice. “We get to start the journey off, kick the season off. We’ve been working hard in preseason. Probably one of the best preseasons I’ve been a part of, so now it’s time to perform. Now it’s time to take the work to actual real life and I’m excited.”

What made Brown’s eighth Celtics preseason – the most of any active member of the team – so special was the clarity and cohesiveness he sensed from the group. Everybody seems to have bought into the right mindset on and off the court from the coaches to the players.

“We’ve been real clear in our roles,” Brown said. “We’re clear what we want to get accomplished. We’re clear in what actions we want to get into, late game, 3-for-2 situations, 2-for-1 situations. We’ve been able to really establish exactly what we want to do. It’s been really good coaching this year.”

The All-NBA wing elaborated further on their sense of clarity: “I think being able to be on the same page is everything in this league, so building that chemistry, having that clarity, having that understanding, knowing where everyone is supposed to be, knowing what we want to get into. When you get into those moments, late game, fourth quarter, those are the moments you start to see the work and that clarity come to life.”

Fans got a glimpse of their work during the team’s five preseason exhibitions, of which Boston won four. The C’s really seemed to pick up steam in the last three games, each of which they won by double-digits.

“We’re ready to play,” said head coach Joe Mazzulla. “Training camp is a process. We’ve gotten everything out of our guys that we needed to from a training camp perspective, philosophies, and things we want to get done.”

For as much excitement as there is, Mazzulla also wants his guys to stay level-headed, knowing that there’s a long season ahead of them and they’re just beginning their work.

“It’s that balance of everybody wants to play really well on Opening Night,” Mazzulla said, “so doing that, and at the same time it’s a long year and we have to just continue to chop away at it every day.”

Boston already played New York twice during the preseason, splitting the matchups 1-1. It’s worth noting that both teams’ losses came while playing their backups against the other team’s starters; however, the C’s know enough about their Atlantic Division rival to know what type of battle to expect Wednesday night.

“I think there's stuff that you just know a [Tom Thibodeau-coached] team is going to do,” Mazzulla said. “They're gonna bring it on defense and you know they're gonna execute well offensively. Those guys that they have do a great job of getting their spots, do a great job of creating contact, and we got to be disciplined in our defense, we’ve got to defend, and we’ve got to be able to execute at the other end.”

Just like they need to do for every other game. But for the first one, there are “a little bit” of butterflies in the stomach, says Brown. This one holds a little extra meaning.

“ The first game is always the most anticipated,” Brown said. “It’s like, new season, new energy. We definitely want to leave with a win.”

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‘New Season, New Energy’: C’s Ready for Wednesday’s Opener

BOSTON – Little did Nathan Knight realize Tuesday night, as he took off his blue and orange uniform inside TD Garden’s visitors’ locker room, that he had just played his last game as a New York Knick.

Little did he realize that the next time he’d be slipping on a jersey, it would be green and white, and he’d be doing so right across the hall.

New York waived Knight two days after its 123-110 loss in Boston, and three days after that, he was a Celtic.

The fourth-year forward/center filled the third and final two-way slot on the roster replacing Jay Scrubb, who recently suffered a season-ending ACL tear.

Knight introduced himself to the Celtics reporters in memorable fashion at Sunday afternoon’s practice: after driving to the hoop against Jaylen Brown, the 6-foot-8, 253-pound locomotive barreled into the media scrum as they were interviewing Jrue Holiday (everyone came away unscathed).

Knight later brought that same energy into his first interview, where he came across as upbeat and excited for a new chapter.

“I’d just like to thank the Celtics for giving me this opportunity,” he said with a big smile. “There were conversations with a couple of different teams this offseason. I signed with the Knicks; things didn’t work out the way I planned to. Had conversations with Brad Stevens and [Joe] Mazzulla, and they were willing to give me an opportunity to come here, put in work for them, and do what I can to contribute to the organization. I’m just happy to be here.”

Knight was a standout player at William & Mary, where during his junior season he became the first college player since Tim Duncan to average at least 20 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two blocks per game. He went undrafted in 2020, but signed a two-way contract with the Atlanta Hawks.

Knight then signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, for whom he played the last two seasons.

The 26-year-old has seen limited action in 108 NBA games, during which he has averaged 3.7 points and 2.0 rebounds per game (17.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per 36 minutes).

Celtics fans may recall Knight torching their team on Dec. 27, 2021 in Minnesota where he earned his first career start and erupted for 20 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists – all career highs –&nbsp;in a 108-103 Wolves win.

If not, these highlights may jog your memory:

“I was just looking at how do I make my team be successful,” Knight remembered of his ‘career knight.’ “I just took advantage of my opportunity, took the shots that were there, and if the shots weren’t there, being able to find my teammates.”

Knight got to practice a little bit with his new teammates Sunday, and he made a solid impression on his new head coach.

“He’s great,” said Mazzulla. “He’s a willing learner, listens, communicates. He wasn’t involved in as much in some of our stuff today. I just got to know him a little bit, but the times we played against him, especially in Minnesota, he’s had good games against us because of his energy, his communication, his ability to offensive rebound, and he can make an open shot. So, any time you have a guy like that in your organization, it’s good.”

Knight also has the benefit of knowing a few of the guys within the organization, so it was comforting for him to see a few familiar faces. He says that Al Horford, who still has ties to Atlanta, acted as a mentor to him during his rookie season with the Hawks. He's also friends with Lamar Stevens and Oshae Brissett, who played college ball in his hometown of Syracuse, New York.

Knight added that he can't wait to get to know the rest of the guys and is looking forward to settling into his role, whatever it may be.

"The business can be treacherous, and opportunities are slim, so just being able to take advantage of those when they come and just going out there and doing whatever my organization needs me to do," he said. "If I need to be the cheerleader, I’ll be the best cheerleader we have. Just going out there and doing whatever I can to help my organization win games."

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Nathan Knight Claims Final Two-Way Spot

Boston Celtics

BOSTON – The Boston Celtics announced today that the team has signed forward/center Nathan Knight to a two-way contract. Per team policy, the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Knight (6-10, 253) has appeared in 108 career games (two starts) with the Atlanta Hawks (2020-21) and Minnesota Timberwolves (2022-23). He owns career averages of 3.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 7.8 minutes per game while shooting 47.6 percent from the field.

The Syracuse, NY native was a three-time Lou Henson Mid-Major All-American (2018, 2019, 2020) during his four-year colligate career at William & Mary, where he averaged 17.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 125 games. During his senior year, Knight was named the Lou Henson National Player of the Year by CollegeInsider.com, which is presented annually to the nation's top Division I mid-major player. He was also selected as the Basketball Times National Mid-Major Player of the Year and 2020 CAA Player of the Year.

Knight attended Nottingham High School in Syracuse, New York, and finished his high school career at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, New Hampshire.

In a corresponding roster move the Celtics have waived guard Jay Scrubb.

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Boston Celtics Sign Knight

BOSTON –&nbsp;At around 3 a.m. on a recent early-fall morning, Rajon Rondo was awoken by an unexpected phone call.

The former Celtics point guard picked up, and before he could utter a sleepy, “Hello?” he was greeted by Paul Pierce’s raspy, eager voice on the other line.

Rondo had been one of several Celtics alumni who received an email from head coach Joe Mazzulla this past summer, inviting them to Boston to hang around the team at any point throughout the upcoming season.

Pierce was the first to take Mazzulla up on the offer, spending the first week of training camp with the team. Others, including Satch Sanders, Sam Vincent, Antoine Walker, and Eddie House have also stopped by.

Rondo had been somewhat taken aback by Mazzulla’s invitation. He had never received something of that nature during or after his 16-year NBA career, eight-plus of which he spent with the C’s.

“You do that in a lot of college programs where alumni come back,” said Rondo, who last played in 2021-22 for the Cleveland Cavaliers. “As a pro, you don’t do it as much because guys get traded to so many different teams and it’s the NBA. So to get that email was very welcoming and humbling at the same time.”

It had been more than eight years since Rondo had been present at a Celtics practice, and this was his first time present as an alumnus. It was also his first time stepping foot inside the team’s world-class training facility.

“It’s like going on a date,” he said of the experience. “You don’t get asked out too often and when you get your first date it’s like you get excited about it. But coming back and seeing [the Auerbach Center], I didn’t get the opportunity to practice or play here at this particular facility. So it’s an amazing facility. I think it’s one of the best I’ve been in, playing for all 16 teams I played for in my career (he’s joking, it was ‘only’ nine). So, it’s a nice facility, and who wouldn’t want to come play in here?”

Rondo said that his former head coach and current president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has put together an “impressive” roster, and is particularly intrigued by the addition of Jrue Holiday. Rondo played one season with Holiday in New Orleans and it’s safe to say that he’s a fan of the new Celtics point guard.

“I love the Jrue Holiday pick-up,” he said. “He’s one of my favorite teammates I’ve ever played with all-time and I’m excited for you guys to see what he can bring night in, night out. Just his mentality, his mindset, his professional approach to the game, and just what he brings out there on the court. He does a lot of intangibles, he’s a very unselfish guy, and he’s fun to be around. But he’s a winner. He’s a competitor.”

Rondo says he also caught up with Al Horford, with whom he crossed paths throughout his entire playing career dating back to college. He said that Horford is one of many pieces that could make this into a special team; a team that he believes has the same potential as his beloved 2008 championship squad.

“There’s a lot of guys that I’d say are great at what they do,” Rondo said. “They have a great shot at winning it all.”

Part of Rondo’s Auerbach Center experience was sitting in for part of Friday’s coaches’ meeting. Coaching is an avenue that he plans on exploring after he finishes his degree at the University of Kentucky, where he’s resumed classes as a communications major.

He said he enjoyed picking Mazzulla’s brain during the session.

“I love teaching the game,” Rondo said. “Right now I have a young AAU program with my son’s team. I coach at that level and want to dedicate my time with him and try to get him off to the right start. My daughter is in volleyball. I’m not an expert coach in that, but I do study that game as well and try to put her in the right positions to get a scholarship. So, coaching is in the future. I wanted to come here this week and learn from Joe and pick up as much knowledge as I can from him and the rest of the staff and just kind of learn.”

Mazzulla says there’s also plenty to be learned from Rondo, as well as any of the alumni who come back.

“The more we can create an open space for the guys who came before us and gave us an opportunity to do what we do, I think it’s important to have,” Mazzulla said. “I’ve always respected [Rondo] as a player. I think he has a great basketball mind and I’m grateful that he’s here. I know the guys appreciate it too.”

Rondo appreciated the experience, as well. Now he understands why Pierce was so eager to reach out to him. Though next time, he’d probably appreciate a call before midnight.

Like Pierce, he, too, would like to step in as an advisor for this team when needed. He noted, “I don’t want to come in as a guy that knows it all,” but, “I’m going to help as much as possible.”

“I’m just gonna let it come natural,” he added. “Nothing predetermined. I don’t know exactly what I’m going to say to those guys. If they want my input, I’m willing to give it.”

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Rondo Returns, Joins Celtics at Practice

The Boston Celtics wrapped up their preseason a little earlier than expected. That’s because they took the sting out of the Hornets in a matter of minutes during Thursday night’s preseason finale.

The visiting Celtics tore open the game on a 30-13 and never gave Charlotte a chance to get back into the game after that.

The Hornets opened the scoring on the first possession of the game, but that would wind up being their only lead of the game – and it didn’t last long.

The C’s took turns scoring in bunches with all five starters getting involved. First, it was Derrick White, who knocked down their first two buckets via a 3-pointer and a driving layup to give Boston a 5-2 lead. Then Tatum dropped in consecutive baskets on a driving layup and a 17-foot pull-up jumper. Jaylen Brown took over next, scoring eight straight points for the C’s, including a couple of deep threes. Jrue Holiday, after dishing out three assists (one to each of his aforementioned teammates), broke into the scoring column with a deep two. And finally, Kristaps Porzingis joined the party with a turnaround, and-1 jumper.

Boston was up 30-13 before the game was even 10 minutes deep, and you could tell the team was just going to keep piling it on. The C's didn’t disappoint, winning the first quarter 34-19, before going up 66-40 at halftime, 100-65 after three quarters, and finally finishing with a 127-99 drubbing.

Jaylen Brown has a history of starting off games hot, and Thursday night was no exception. The All-NBA wing erupted for 13 points during the first quarter, setting the tone for a scorching offensive night for Boston.

Brown finished with a game-high 20 points on an efficient 8-of-12 from the field, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range. He also grabbed four rebounds, was plus-18 in 23 minutes of action, and put himself all over the highlight reel with some nasty dunking.

–&nbsp;Neemias Queta on Boston's 4-1 preseason

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Keys to the Game: Celtics 127, Hornets 99

Marc D'Amico

The Boston Celtics chose to play all of their top dogs Tuesday night against the Knicks.

New York, meanwhile, rested most of theirs.

That was the first Key Moment of the day, which suggested that the second Key Moment was all but inevitable.

Boston’s top eight were locked in from the opening tip and turned the first half into a laugher while dropping 41 points during the opening frame. That high-output offense featured an 8-0 run to close the quarter out, which gave the C’s a 41-29 lead.

The Celtics were clearly the better team, and their new dynamic scoring trio paced their electric offense. Kristaps Porzingis scored 10 points during the first quarter, while Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum each scored eight. Boston shot 55.6 percent from the field and 56.2 percent from long range during the frame.

Boston went on to score nine of the first 12 points of the second quarter as well to pull ahead 50-33. That lead soon grew to as many as 27 during the period to all but put the game away.

While New York did claw back to within eight points during the third quarter, the C’s responded with nine straight points for the final nail in the Knicks’ coffin. Boston went on to close out the win by a count of 123-110.

Jayson Tatum was in midseason form Tuesday night while dropping a preseason-high 28 points on the New York Knicks.

Tatum was hot from all over the floor, as he shot 9-of-15 from the field, 5-for-8 from long range and a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line. Tatum’s shot chart was near-perfect, as all but one of his attempts were from beyond the arc or at the rim.

Just as he does throughout the regular season, Tatum went well beyond scoring on this night. He also tied for the team high in rebounds with eight, dished out four assists, led the team in steals with three, and blocked one shot. And he did all of this in less than 30 minutes of action.

So, as we said: Tatum was in midseason form tonight.

“I really like where our guys are at mentally.”

– Joe Mazzulla on Boston's mindset as a team

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Keys to the Game: Celtics 123, Knicks 110

BOSTON – As one of the premier defenders in basketball, Jrue Holiday knows a special offensive talent when he sees one. So when he lauded Payton Pritchard’s skill set Monday afternoon, his words were not to be taken lightly.

“He can hoop. He’s just a natural bucket,” Holiday noted of Pritchard after practice. “The way&nbsp;that&nbsp;he plays is so easy.&nbsp;It looks like it just comes naturally to him.”

Holiday didn’t just make these observations over the last couple of weeks since joining the Celtics; he’s felt this way about Pritchard for a while, having faced off against him in the past and also from just watching from afar.

Now that they’re teammates, Holiday can’t wait to see how they work together and feed off each other on the floor.

“It’s always fun to watch him play. But playing with him, he's great to play off of,” Holiday said. “Obviously the shooter that he is, he can either play off-ball or you play off the ball with him and he has the ball. A very versatile player."

Pritchard feels similarly and is excited to take notes from such an established veteran point guard.

“Jrue is an unbelievable player,” Pritchard said shortly before Holiday spoke his kind words. “So for me to have somebody like that, who I can learn so much from defensively, offensively, just how he attacks the game is incredible. I’m definitely going to be picking his brain a lot this year.”

What Pritchard may not be aware of yet is that Holiday plans to pick his brain, as well. Holiday doesn’t just view himself as a mentor, but also as a learner of the game –&nbsp;even at 33 years old – and there is plenty that the two-time All-Star can gain from his 25-year-old teammate.

“There are things I feel like I can get from him – even how he comes off the screen and shoots it,” said Holiday. “He’s a couple of inches shorter than me, but he gets his shot off every time and it’s pure. So I think it’s just having a relationship, building that chemistry, and then just keeping that line of communication open is important.”

Pritchard’s pure shooting has been on full display this preseason, as he’s connected on 52.3 percent of his attempts from the field, including 41.9 percent from 3-point range. And that’s while shooting at high volume. He’s also averaging 21.7 points per game, which ranks him No. 1 on the team and among the top five preseason scorers in the league.

Aside from his numbers, Pritchard has also been praised for his communication and willingness to take initiative. Head coach Joe Mazzulla sees a player who is eager to learn and lead.

“The most important thing is that he asks questions. He wants to understand,” said Mazzulla. “And so he’s asking me, he’s asking the assistants, he’s asking his teammates questions, and that gives him the ability to communicate with his teammates. He’s doing a great job of recognizing situational basketball on both ends of the floor and how we can be better at it.”

Pritchard is hoping for a breakout fourth season, and all signs are pointing toward one. He has a new contract extension in hand, he has less backcourt competition after the offseason departures of Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon, and he’s taking all the right steps toward earning an increased role.

“For me, it’s just controlling what I can control and that’s showing up every day, getting my work in, and attacking the minutes that I do get,” Pritchard said of his mindset. “So defensively, offensively, whatever that is, that’s kind of where my head’s at. Whatever I get, I’m gonna go out and play hard, play aggressive, and lay it all out.”

So far, he’s making all the right impressions. As a “natural bucket” should.

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Holiday Calls Pritchard ‘Just a Natural Bucket’

BOSTON – Less than five minutes into Sunday’s preseason opener, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis faced their first test as a rim-protecting tandem.

Philadelphia's Tobias Harris was on the attack in transition, and the only objects that stood between him and the basket were Boston’s backpedaling big men. For a moment, it looked as if Harris had them beat, as he split the gap just past the free-throw line and burst toward the basket. However, just as Harris snuck past them, Horford and Porzingis turned in unison, tracked Harris down, and simultaneously stuffed him at the rim (Porzingis was credited with the block).

The in-sync nature of the play was somewhat of a microcosm of the previous few weeks Horford and Porzingis spent together. The two of them showed up at the Auerbach Center well before the start of training camp and spent that time getting to know each other and getting on the same page.

As a result, they entered the preseason already feeling a strong level of comfort, which should only grow as time goes on. &nbsp;

“I feel like the fact that we were both in here early in September really helped us get into a nice start,” Horford said following Friday’s practice in Boston. “Obviously we have a ways to go, continuing to develop the chemistry, but I feel pretty good with where we’re at.”

Horford already has the advantage of knowing Boston’s system and what they’re looking to do on both ends of the floor, so he’s helping Porzingis come along in that aspect. It’s particularly important for the two of them to be on the same page defensively, where they’ll serve as Boston’s back line.

“I feel like he’s really doing a good job with the attention to detail, especially on the defensive end,” said the 17-year vet. “With us, we’re asking him to do a lot, to cover a lot of things. Already I feel like he has my back covering different positions on the court. Everybody knows his offense. His offense is great. We know he can do a lot of things. But on defense, he’s doing a good job of talking to us, protecting the basket and really staying active.”

As Horford mentioned, Porzingis is known for his offense. The 7-foot-3 center has averaged over 20 points per game in each of his last five seasons, including a career-high 23.2 PPG last season. However, his defense is sometimes overlooked when it shouldn’t be.

In his career, Porzingis has averaged 6.6 defensive rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. Last season, he ranked among the top five in pick-and-roll defense, trailing only Steven Adams, Anthony Davis, and Giannis Antetokounmpo in points allowed per possession on such plays.

“I just think he has really good instincts,” Horford noted. “Sometimes it’s not easy when you’re on the back line trying to recognize when to come help, when to drop off, things like that. It comes pretty easy, from what I’ve seen. He’s able to recover, make a play, and be able to help us.”

It’s reassuring to Horford, knowing that he has another big out there helping on the defensive end after the departure of All-Defensive center Rob Williams. He and KP already seem to have budding chemistry on that end, and it should only get stronger with time.