The Boston Celtics defeated the Charlotte Hornets 113-103 on Saturday, despite a standout performance by LaMelo Ball, who scored 36 points at the Spectrum Center. This win extended Boston’s early-season success, lifting their record to 6-1 as they recorded a back-to-back victory over Charlotte.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 29 points, although his three-point shot was off, connecting on just one of nine attempts. Tatum’s success came largely from the free-throw line, where he converted 14 of 17 attempts, proving instrumental in securing Boston’s lead.
Payton Pritchard stepped up in the absence of Jaylen Brown, scoring 22 points off the bench, including six three-pointers. Derrick White added 18 points and eight rebounds, while Jrue Holiday contributed 13 points and halted the Hornets’ third-quarter momentum with a critical three-pointer.
Ball was efficient for the Hornets, shooting 15-of-26 from the field and hitting six of his 12 three-point attempts. However, foul trouble plagued him, as he fouled out for the second consecutive game, which left Charlotte struggling in the game’s closing minutes.
Returning from a strained glute, Brandon Miller scored 16 points, offering some offensive support to Ball. Despite their combined efforts, Charlotte could not overcome Boston’s depth, especially in the absence of their top two centers, Mark Williams and Nick Richards, which limited their rebounding ability.
Boston’s defense proved effective, allowing them to build a 19-point lead by halftime. Even without Brown, sidelined with a hip flexor strain, the Celtics dominated the boards, outrebounding the Hornets 44-34, a statistic made more significant by Charlotte’s shorthanded frontcourt.
Grant Williams, Charlotte’s center for the night, contributed just five points, as the Hornets’ rotation was thin at the center position due to injuries. The Celtics capitalized on this, frequently penetrating the paint and drawing fouls, which contributed to their free-throw advantage.
For Boston, bench production played a key role, with Sam Hauser adding eight points and Al Horford providing six rebounds and five assists. Luke Kornet also chipped in with 19 points and was perfect from the field, contributing heavily in Brown’s absence.
Charlotte’s frustrations mounted as Ball’s early fouls forced him to spend time on the bench, allowing Boston to quickly establish control. With Boston’s defense stifling their rhythm, Charlotte’s key players struggled to create consistent scoring opportunities, while their limited rebounding added to their challenges.
