Jayson Tatum scores 34 to lead Celtics past Hornets in NBA Cup
Jayson Tatum recorded 34 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds to lead the Boston Celtics to a 119-80 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. The win moves Boston to a 2-0 record in the NBA Cup and marks their seventh victory in eight games.
The Celtics established dominance early in the contest, utilizing a high-volume three-point shooting performance to build a 31-point lead by halftime. Boston converted 17 of 31 attempts from beyond the arc during the first two quarters. The Hornets fell to 0-2 in the competition.
Boston builds massive first-quarter lead
The game was largely decided in the opening period. Tatum accounted for 18 points in the first quarter alone, aided by three successful three-point shots. Derrick White contributed 10 points during the same stretch as the Celtics surged to a 40-20 advantage. Boston’s perimeter efficiency was a primary driver of this early momentum, hitting nine of 17 three-pointers in the first quarter.
Charlotte struggles amid roster adjustments
The Hornets’ loss marks their sixth defeat. This slump has continued since head coach Charles Lee moved Naz Reid to the bench during the second half of a previous matchup against the Detroit Pistons. Reid, who was a significant addition to the Charlotte roster this season, was sidelined after failing to meet “team standards,” according to reports.
Is this the best version of Jayson Tatum we've ever seen?🤔 “This is the best he's ever looked. He's in complete control.” @RealBobManning via @TheGardenReport pic.twitter.com/vOybY7zGl3
Naz Reid provided the high point total for Charlotte in this matchup, finishing with 14 points.
Celtics performance statistics
| Player | Points | Assists | Rebounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Derrick White | 18 | — | — |
| Naz Reid (CHA) | 14 | — | — |
NBA Cup standings implications
With this result, the Celtics improve to 2-0 in the NBA Cup group stage. The Hornets remain at 0-2, leaving them without a victory in the tournament thus far.
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