BSJ Summer League Game Report: Celtics 103, Warriors 92 - Hot shooting carries C's as they avoid late meltdown

Everything you need to know about the Celtics summer league matchup against the Golden State Warriors, with BSJ insight and analysis

IN A NUTSHELL

The Celtics shot their way to a 20-point first-quarter lead behind a hot start from Brodric Thomas and a perfect quarter from Justin Jackson. They floated along with the 20-point lead until the fourth quarter, when the Warriors put together a run to cut the lead to single digits. But the young Celtics managed to get it together, and hold on for a 103-92 win.

Box Score 

PLUSSES

This was unlike most summer league games in that there are a few actual NBA-level players on the Warriors team. Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and James Wiseman are all expected to contribute next season in some capacity, so the summer Celtics passed a little bit of a test with this win. 

The shooting was good again. They hit 13-30 3-pointers and that was with Sam Hauser and Matt Ryan on the bench in street clothes nursing minor injuries. 

MINUSES

They played a bit of undisciplined basketball for long stretches, especially JD Davison. I get that it’s summer league, but some of these guys really need to work on getting under control. 

Losing a 23-point lead is losing a 23-point lead at any level, so watching that dwindle all the way to 6 wasn’t great. The results of the game don’t matter, but the process of maintaining a lead and having discipline does. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Mfiondu Kabengele: He’s nudging into the lead for the title of summer league darling. He finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds, outplaying Golden State’s prized big man Wiseman. He works hard, picking up 5 more offensive rebounds, but he also added 4 assists a steal, and 2 blocked shots. He playing the role of Summer Rob, going up for lob after lob. 

Brodric Thomas: He came out firing, and finished with 18 points on 7-12 shooting (4-7 3 PT). He also added 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. He saw Ryan and Hauser on the bench and said it’s Brodric time. 

JD Davison: More wildly up and down play, and again he struggled to finish around the rim. He did have 9 assists though. Down the stretch with the game down to 6, Davison got caught jumping trying to throw the alley-oop, leading to comically bad play. Then he made up for it with a nice drive and finish. 

Justin Jackson: The former 15ht overall pick has started 61 games over his five-year NBA career. Now he’s trying to show he still has it. He had 24 points on 9-14 shooting (5-10 3 PT). He’s clearly hoping someone rings him up for a camp invite. 

Juhann Begarin: Nice to see him hit a couple of 3-pointers. He threw a couple of ambitious passes though, and dribbled his way into 5 turnovers to mar a 21 point, 6 rebound, 3 assist night. He did have 7 fourth-quarter points to help hold onto the win. 

TOP PLAYS

ONE QUICK TAKE

These guys are fun, but it’s just summer love. 

Competition for spots on the Celtics is going to be tight. Brad Stevens said Tuesday that the team was hoping to add a big man and Ime Udoka, during a quick media session in Vegas, made it sound like that was going to be an external signing or trade. 

That probably means that Kabengele will get a camp invite specifically for a G League stint, or else he’ll go elsewhere. The same applies to Trevion Williams. 

Be prepared for maybe Matt Ryan and Brodric Thomas to compete for a spot, maybe a two-way, and anyone else invited to get cut and stashed in Maine.