Takeaways from the Celtics-Knicks game: Pritchard and Banton shine originally aired on NBC Sports Boston.

It was the second night of a back-to-back for the Boston Celtics second unit to shine in Monday’s preseason game against the New York Knicks.

After playing the majority of Sunday’s preseason opener triumph over the Philadelphia 76ers, C’s head coach Joe Mazzulla decided to rest his starters. The lights at Madison Square Garden weren’t too bright for Boston’s reserves, who held their own against New York’s starting in a 114-107 loss.

Boston kept it close until the last second thanks to point guards Payton Pritchard (21 points) and Dalano Banton (20 points). Svi Mykhailiuk had a 15-point performance as well.

Immanuel Quickley scored 21 points to lead the Knicks. The difference came down to fouls, as New York went 25-for-33 from the free-throw line. Boston finished 15-for-19.

Boston’s preseason begins at Philadelphia on Wednesday night. Before we move on to that game, here are some key takeaways from Monday’s contest.

Payton Pritchard’s encore

Pritchard stole the show in the win over Philadelphia, scoring a game-high 26 points, and he delivered an encore Monday night at MSG.

The Celtics guard, whose four-year contract extension was inked on Sunday, led all scorers once again with 21 points.

In 29 minutes, he shot 7-for-15 (4-11 3-point) with five assists, five rebounds, and three steals.

Perhaps it’s too early to say, but Pritchard appears to have taken a significant step forward as he enters Year 4 of his NBA career. On the depth chart, he’s still behind excellent guards (Derrick White, Jrue Holiday), but he should play a bigger role off the bench this time around. All indications point to him being up for the challenge.

More arrivals demonstrating promise

A day after all eyes were on the Celtics’ prized offseason additions Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, the team’s lesser-known arrivals got a chance to shine.

Six-foot-7 point guard Dalano Banton and journeyman wing Svi Mykhailiuk, both signed to partially guaranteed contracts, stamped their marks on the game early and often, scoring 20 and 15 points, respectively. They each scored eight points in the first quarter.

Banton shot 8-of-19 from the field, while Mykhailiuk connected on five of his nine attempts, including three three-pointers.

The two C’s in double figures were former Cleveland Cavaliers forward Lamar Stevens (11 points) and ex-Indiana Pacers forward Oshae Brissett (10 points). Stevens also had eight rebounds and shot 5-for-12 from the field.

Neemias Queta auditions for a position in the frontcourt

The Celtics might need some frontcourt help behind Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford now that Robert Williams has been traded to Portland. Neemias Queta, a 7-footer signed to a two-way deal last month, impressed in his C’s debut.

With a powerful putback in the opening quarter, the 2022-23 G-League MVP runner-up soon gave a boost. In 14 minutes, he had seven points, four rebounds, and a block.

There is potential there, but Queta must reduce his fouls. He had five in his brief appearance on the court, continuing a disturbing tendency that began in college. That is an issue that must be addressed before the Celtics contemplate giving him consistent minutes.

Jordan Walsh demonstrates his abilities

Walsh continued where he left off in Summer League with a strong performance on Monday night.

The Arkansas rookie second-rounder takes pride in his defense, and it was clear in the second quarter when he made his presence known with a steal and a layup on the opposite end for his first NBA bucket.

Walsh finished his 18-minute stint with four points, six rebounds, and two steals. We know the offense is still in the works, but the defense appeared to be as advertised. It’ll be interesting to observe how the 19-year-old grows during the season.

Sam Hauser is still looking for his big break

Through the Celtics’ first two preseason games, Hauser has struggled to find his stride. The 6-foot-8 forward, who shot 41.8 percent from outside the arc last season, is only 2-for-15 this season.

It is most emphatically not time to panic. Hauser has established himself as a streaky shooter whose hot streaks outnumber his cool ones. There’s no question he’ll shake his present funk and provide Boston with much-needed scoring punch off the bench again this season.

This Wednesday night, he should have an opportunity to start one of those hot streaks.