The Celtics tackle the New York Knicks within the second Summer season League recreation for each groups. Not like the Celtics first opponent, the Grizzlies, neither staff performed in California or Salt Lake Metropolis. The Celtics beat the Memphis Grizzlies 92-78 of their first recreation on Friday, whereas the Knicks misplaced to the Detroit Pistons 104-86 of their first recreation, additionally on Friday.
The Celtics roster contains 15 gamers together with undrafted gamers, the Celtics 3 draft picks, 2 means gamers and a couple of gamers from the Celtics roster final season. Jordan Walsh returns as a third 12 months participant. Baylor Scheierman is coming into his second season and confirmed some flashes final season. Miles Norris returns after half a season as a 2 means participant with the Celtics.
The Celtics 3 draft picks are additionally anticipated to play for the Celtics in Summer season League. Hugo Gonzalez, the Celtics lone first spherical choose, is anticipated to be on the Celtics roster this season and needs to be thrilling to look at in Summer season League. The Celtics 2nd spherical picks, Amari Williams and Max Shulga, are each anticipated to signal 2-way contracts with the Celtics this season.
Charles Bassey, who wasn’t even initially on the Celtics roster, was maybe the Celtics largest shock of their first recreation. Bassey was the 53rd choose by Philadelphia in 2021 and was waived after one 12 months. He was signed by San Antonio as a 2 means participant however was later transformed to a daily contract. He injured his knee in March of 2023 and missed the remainder of that season. He then tore his ACL in December of 2024. He performed in 36 video games for the Spurs final season. The Celtics are skinny within the frontcourt and so Bassey may have an opportunity to earn a contract with the staff.
The Knicks Summer season League staff options Marjon Beauchamp, who has 3 years of NBA expertise. They may also function Pacome Dadiet, who was the twenty fifth choose within the 2024 draft. Ariel Hukporti, who was the 58th choose in 2024, is a 7’ heart who has an opportunity to earn a job as again up heart for the Knicks. Anton Watson, who was the 54th choose within the 2024 draft by the Celtics. He signed a 2 means contract with the Celtics however was reduce for the Celtics to signal Miles Norris to a 2 means contract. He signed with the Knicks and is taking part in for his or her Summer season League Crew.
Matt Reynolds would be the Celtics head coach for the Celtics Summer season League staff. Reynolds began because the Video Coordinator for the Celtics in 2015. He has been an assistant coach for the membership since 2022. The Knicks Summer season League head coach is their Director of Participant Personnel, Jordan Brink. Brink left a very long time job with Detroit to hitch the Knicks. He’s the coach who decides which calls to problem and he holds the best share price of overturned calls within the league.
Celtics RosterJordan Walsh (thirty eighth choose 2023)Baylor Scheierman (thirtieth choose 2024)Hugo Gonzalez (twenty eighth choose 2025)Max Shulga (57th choose 2025)Amari Williams (forty sixth choose 2025)Aaron Scott (undrafted rookie)Ben Gregg (undrafted rookie)Zach Hicks (undrafted rookie)Hayden Grey (undrafted rookie)Miles Norris (undrafted 2023- 2 means participant with Boston)Kenneth Loftin, Jr (undrafted, third 12 months, MVP in China final season)Jalen Bridges (2-way participant with Phoenix, performed 8 video games with Suns)Kendall Brown (forty eighth choose in 2022)Isaiah Wong (fifty fifth choose in 2023, performed 20 video games with Charlotte)Charles Bassey (53rd choose in 2021, Performed for Philadelphia and San Antonio)
Head CoachMatt Reynolds
New York Knicks RosterPacome DadietKevin McCullarTyler KolekMarjon BeauchampYudai BabaAnton Watson Jamal BeyBiwali BaylesDink Pate Jaden CampbellDevone GrantNick DordainLuka Scuka Lance WareJames NnajiMohamed DiawaraAriel Hukporti
Head Coach Jordan Brink
Potential StartersThe Celtics began Max Shulga, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh and Amari Williams in Friday’s recreation in opposition to the Grizzlies. I’m going to guess that they are going to begin the identical 5 on this recreation. In fact, in Summer season League, they could begin any random 5 gamers and never essentially begin the identical 5. The Knicks began Kolek, McCullar, Jr, Beauchamp, Dadiet, and Hukporti and I’m guessing that they begin the identical 5 on this recreation.
Keys to the GameIt’s Summer season League – Each coaches are going to be gamers to see if any of them play effectively sufficient to make the primary roster. They’re additionally gamers for his or her G-League groups. Some gamers could get numerous taking part in time and a few will play little or no. Gamers who began final recreation could sit this recreation or they could begin once more and the gamers who’re displaying essentially the most ought to get extra taking part in time.
Protection and Rebounding – Whether or not it’s Summer season League, Preseason, Common Season or Playoffs, protection and rebounding are at all times keys to getting a win. The Celtics pulled down 45 rebounds of their first recreation whereas the Knicks pulled down 38 rebounds of their first recreation. The staff that performs more durable on the defensive finish and that crashes the boards for rebounds, will possible get the win.
Key Matchup
Grid View
Charles Bassey
Photograph by David Dow/NBAE through Getty Pictures
Ariel Hukporti
Photograph by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE through Getty Pictures
Charles Bassey vs Ariel HukportiThese 2 facilities come into Summer season League seeking to earn a spot on their staff’s most important roster for the upcoming season. Each groups have a necessity at heart and each Bassey and Hukporti impressed of their debut on Friday, notably on the defensive finish. Bassey completed with 14 factors, 11 rebounds and a couple of blocks whereas Hukporti completed with 6 factors, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and a couple of blocks.
Gamers to WatchBoston CelticsJordan Walsh – Walsh performed very effectively on Friday, ending with a recreation excessive 17 factors, 3 rebounds and a couple of assists whereas taking pictures 50% from the sphere and 50% from past the arc.
Hugo Gonzalez – Gonzalez impressed in his debut on Friday, ending with 12 factors, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal and a couple of blocks. He performed onerous, particularly on protection. He positively appears like he’ll have the ability to assist the staff this season.
Baylor Scheierman – Scheierman struggled offensively in his first outing on Friday, ending with 8 factors on 2-14 taking pictures from the sphere and 1-8 from past the arc. He did present some good issues although with 5 rebounds and 4 assists. He must play higher on this recreation.
New York Knicks Pacome Dadiet – Dadiet completed Friday’s recreation with 17 factors, 1 rebound and 1 help whereas taking pictures 61.5% from the sphere and 33.3% from past the arc. The Knicks predict him to play effectively in his second Summer season League.
Marjon Beauchamp – Beauchamp is starting his 4th season and the Celtics must see enchancment in his recreation in Summer season League. He completed Friday’s recreation with 15 factors, 2 rebounds, and 1 block whereas taking pictures 40% from the sphere and going 0-4 on three pointers.
Last Ideas As with the Celtics/Grizzlies recreation, the league isn’t all that large these groups as they’re relegated to a 5:30 time slot and are on NBA-TV somewhat than ESPN. Nonetheless, as soon as once more, for Celtics followers, there are causes to look at. Gonzalez is enjoyable to look at and performs very onerous and he may discover a function for the Celtics this season. Walsh and Scheierman are returning gamers with an opportunity to be rotation gamers this season. Williams and Shulga each confirmed some promise on Friday and can play in Maine this season for the Celtics.
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