Celtics have one more order of business before summer league ends: win the Vegas championship

Summer league is all about assessment and development; evaluating rookies, young players already on the roster, and possible two-way guys and getting them to work on specific skills against live competition. 

Wins and losses here are generally meaningless to teams, but whenever there is a score being kept and time on the clock, the guys on the floor still want to win.

“We didn’t come here to lose,” C’s two-way signee Sam Hauser said after practice on Monday.

And so the Celtics now set off to cap the abbreviated summer league against the Sacramento Kings tomorrow night (9 PM local start, in case you want to set your DVRs). Both teams are undefeated, and both bring some defensive heat to the Las Vegas desert. 

“I was showing a clip today. It was 78-63 at the end of the third in the Philadelphia game, and we had one of the hardest-playing defensive possessions of the game,” Celtics summer league head coach Joe Mazzulla said. “That was the first clip of the film session and I specifically told them: If you have the humility and professionalism to always play hard regardless of what's going on around you, you're going to be successful. I think that's a huge factor."

The defensive effort has, indeed, been impressive. It’s not hard to motivate a team full of guys fighting for jobs or increased minutes, but it is a little more difficult to get defensive buy-in from players who know getting buckets is what will get them ducats. 

“I really think our defense has been overlooked,” Hauser said. “I think we’ve played really, really well on that end of the floor, and I think that’s definitely what’s catapulted us to those big leads in the game. So as long as we stick with that, I think we’ll have a good chance.”

The summer Kings are no strangers to stout defense, either. Led by ninth overall pick Davion Mitchell, the Kings have been clamping down on opponents. Mitchell’s nickname is “off-night,” as in what guys he defends tend to have, so some of the Celtics shooting stars of this past week might have their work cut out for them. 

In a way, playing in a game like this against a determined opponent is part of the development. If the Celtics keep building on the good things they’ve been working on all this time, face a tough defensive opponent, and still come out on top, it’s at least another small positive step. 

“It’s more like a culmination of what we’ve done since training camp started - a culmination of what each guy’s development plan is,” Mazzulla said. “I told the guys after the game, win or lose, the only thing that matters is if we get better and show our professionalism and compete at a level that gives you the best chance to be successful. I don’t know that you change anything other than continue to harp on developmental aspects, basketball-wise and basketball IQ-wise.”

Yeah, yeah, he’s right. That’s exactly how the team should be thinking about this. But also...

We might as well have fun with a championship game, right? It is what it is, and it most certainly is not important other than to the immediate gratification of the egos involved, but it’s still a chance to have some fun and enjoy watching basketball.

“I think we’ve been excited to play in every game so far through summer league,” Hauser said. “It’s a chance to showcase yourselves and show what you have to offer. I think us being 4-0, it’s been fun to play the way we have because we’re sharing the ball, everybody’s kind of showing what they can do. And now we’re just really excited to hopefully take this thing home.”

PAYTON PRITCHARD BACK? 

Pritchard’s excused absence was his participation in a pro-am game in his hometown. He proceeded to drop 92 points as he bombed away from 30-plus feet every chance he got. 

After he was done, Pritchard tweeted that he was heading back to rejoin the Celtics. 

Back in Vegas on Tuesday for summer league chip! https://t.co/Ns0bJWvYEl

— Payton Pritchard (@paytonpritch3) August 16, 2021

However, it’s not a lock that he plays. 

“He wasn't at practice today,” Mazzulla said. “I know everyone saw what he tweeted and we’re in discussions about whether it makes sense for him to come back. We’re still communicating and working through that. As a coach obviously you want him there, I think we’ll know more in the morning.”

From a pure basketball standpoint, not having him will hurt Boston’s chances tomorrow night. However, he’s shown about all he needs to show in Vegas, so the team might not want to risk an injury to a key rotation guy in a meaningless game. 

Pritchard will certainly lobby to play. We’ll see what the team decides. 

YAM MADAR BACK?

Madar was seen as the guy who stood to gain the most from Pritchard’s absence, but he missed the last game with a groin injury. 

“We didn’t go hard today but he practiced,” Mazzulla said. “He’s doing a great job in his treatment sessions and trying to get ready. He’s eager to play. We’ll see how he responds to today’s practice. It’s something we’ll talk about in the morning as well.”

It’s all but assured that Madar is going back overseas, and he reportedly has an offer from a German team if that comes to fruition. 

Yam Madar slated to play with Ratiopharm Ulm of the German league should he not receive an NBA contract per The Sports Rabbi and @yakovmeir1 https://t.co/i8g31TDXD5

— Sports Rabbi (@thesportsrabbi) August 16, 2021

Still, it’s not official until it’s official, and if Madar can play and show some growth, maybe he can change the right person’s mind.

SACRAMENTO'S CHIMEZIE METU SUSPENDED

The suspension was obvious considering it was a blatant punch. However, I kind of don't blame him for being upset. I don't condone the punch, but I understand the anger. 

Eugene Omoruyi was ejected for that play.