The Hornets played in the California Classic Summer League before coming to Las Vegas. They won all 3 games there, beating San Antonio, the team from China, and Sacramento. They also won their first game in Las Vegas, beating the Knicks 94-90. The Celtics and Hornets last played in Summer League in 2018 when the Celtics won 100-80, while starting Kadeem Allen, Jarrod Uthoff, Jabari Bird, Semi Ojeleye, and Guerrschon Yabusele.
As always in Summer League, it’s next to impossible to predict who will start as coaches try to mix and match players and to experiment with different starting lineups. After being the Celtics best player against the Heat, Jaden Springer sat out the game against the Lakers, not even dressing for the game. The coach was noncommittal as to whether his absence was due to an injury or not.
The Celtics have fielded similar starting lineups in their 2 games so far with Davison, Scheierman, Walsh, and Queta starting both games. Springer started against the heat and Peterson started against the Lakers. They may start a similar lineup or one that is completely different. The Hornets started Simpson, Smith, McGowens, Black and Gueye in their first 2 games and Simpson, Smith, Miller, Black and Stephens in their last two games.
D.J. MacLeay is coaching the Celtics Summer League team. The Celtics hired MacLeay in 2021 as a player enhancement coach on Ime Udoka’s staff. In July 2022 he was promoted to assistant coach. He stayed with the Celtics as an assistant after Udoka left. Assistant coach Josh Longstaff is coaching the Hornets. He has been an assistant coach for Chicago, Milwaukee, New York and Oklahoma City. He has also been the head coach of the Erie Bayhawks in the GLeague.
Boston Celtics Roster
Tyler Cook
JD Davison
Tristan Enaruna
Ron Harper, Jr
Jaelen House
Drew Peterson
Neemias Queta
Jahmi?us Ramsey
Baylor Scheierman
Jaden Springer
Killian Tillie
Jordan Walsh
Anton Watson
Head Coach
D.J. MacLeay
Starters Last Game
JD Davison
Baylor Scheierman
Jordan Walsh
Drew Peterson
Neemias Queta
Players to Watch
Neemias Queta
Queta was easily the best player in Monday’s game against the Lakers. He finished with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks while shooting 70% from the field. He also played very good defense while defending the paint. He started the first two games but as things go in Summer League, he may or may not play in this game.
Anton Watson
Watson was the 54th pick in the draft and should at least get a 2 way contract. He came off the bench and, while his stats won’t jump off the page, he played very good defense and seemed to be in the right place at the right time. He is a good rebounder and hustles, bringing energy to the game.
Baylor Scheierman
Scheierman was the Celtics 30th pick in this year’s draft. He is known as a shooter but his performance in the first 2 games proves that he is a versatile player with great court vision. He finished Monday’s game with 3 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal. He struggled with his shot but picked up his defense and played hard in other areas. One of the highlights of the game was when he dove into the 2nd row to save a ball from going out of bounds. That kind of hustle should earn him playing time.
Charlotte Hornets Roster
James Banks III
RaeQuan Battle
Leaky Black
Pedro Bradshaw
Kevin Cross, Jr
Marcus Garrett
Mouhamadou Gueye
Malik Hall
Caleb McConnell
Bryce McGowens
Brandon Miller
Matt Morgan
Drew Pember
Charles Pride
Tidjane Salaun
Zavier Simpson
KJ Simpson
Brandon Slater
Nick Smith, Jr
Jake Stephens
Starters Last Game
Xavier Simpson
Nick Smith, Jr
Brandon Miller
Leaky Black
Jake Stephens
Players to Watch
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Brandon Miller
Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images
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Nick Smith, Jr
Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
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Zavier Simpson
Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images
Brandon Miller
Miller was the #2 pick in last year’s draft and was 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting. He played as you would expect a second year lottery pick would. He finished the Hornets first game against the Knicks with 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists. However, he also had 7 turnovers. He shot 43.8% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. He has started the last 2 games for the Hornets.
Nick Smith, Jr
Smith was the 27th pick in the 2023 draft. He finished this game with 24 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal while shooting 52.9% from the field and 44.4% from beyond the arc. He has started all 4 games for the Hornets in Summer League (3 in California and 1 in Las Vegas).
Zavier Simpson
Simpson has started all 4 games so far for the Hornets. He finished Saturday’s game with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists and 1 block. He shot 55.6% from the field and 100% from beyond the arc. He has good court vision and distributes the ball well.
Keys to the Game
Defense – Just as defense is the key to every game in the regular season and in the playoffs, it is also the key to winning in the Summer League. In their first game in Las Vegas, the Celtics allowed the Heat to shoot 61.5% from the field and 60% from beyond the arc. Against the Lakers, they clamped down on defense and held the Lakers to 36.4% from the field and 30.8% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to continue to play tough defense in this game.
Rebound – Along with defense, rebounding is always a key to winning. The Celtics out-rebounded the Heat 35-29 in their first game. The Celtics out-rebounded the Lakers 38-35. The Celtics need to continue to crash the boards in this game if they want to get a win.
Improvement – In Summer League, improvement and evaluation are more important than winning. Both coaches are looking for improvement from returning players and they are evaluating all of the players on the roster for possible spots on the roster or 2 way contracts. The Celtics saw improvement in several players between their first game and their second game and hopefully will see even more improvement in this game.
X-Factors
Chemistry and Experience
The Celtics have played just 2 games in Summer League. The Hornets have played 4 games in Summer League, playing 3 in California and 1 in Las Vegas. The Hornets have a fairly experienced Summer League team with 1 5 year player, 2 4 year players, 2 3 year players, 2 2 year players, 6 1 year players and 7 rookies.
