Bеfσɾе tҺеιɾ sеаsσ𝚗 σρе𝚗еɾ, tҺе Bσstσ𝚗 Cеltιcs ҺаԀ σ𝚗е lаst ρɾеsеаsσ𝚗 ɡаmе аɡаι𝚗st tҺе CҺаɾlσttе Hσɾ𝚗еts, wҺιcҺ tҺеy Ԁσmι𝚗аtеԀ wιtҺ а cσ𝚗ᴠι𝚗cι𝚗ɡ 127-99 ᴠιctσɾy. RιɡҺt fɾσm tҺе stаɾt, tҺе Cеltιcs еstаblιsҺеԀ а substа𝚗tιаl lеаԀ ι𝚗 tҺе fιɾst quаɾtеɾ а𝚗Ԁ mаι𝚗tаι𝚗еԀ tҺеιɾ аԀᴠа𝚗tаɡе tҺɾσuɡҺσut tҺе ɡаmе.

The only regular Celtics player who did not participate in Thursday’s game was Al Horford, who was given a rest day. Apart from Horford, the team was at full strength as they concluded their five-game preseason schedule. The Celtics had an impressive preseason record of 4-1, winning every game in which their regular players were on the court.

In the dominant victory over the Charlotte Hornets, all five of the Boston Celtics’ starters contributed double-digit points. Jaylen Brown led the team with 20 points, shooting an impressive 8-for-12 from the field. Jayson Tatum had a well-rounded performance, recording 11 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, making an impact in various statistical categories. Additionally, Kristaps Porzingis achieved a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

In the absence of Al Horford, the Boston Celtics maintained the same starting lineup as their previous game, consisting of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White, and Jrue Holiday. However, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla expressed his disinterest in the attention given to the starting lineup, emphasizing the team’s focus on sacrifice rather than individual roles. Consequently, fans and analysts may speculate about which players among the Celtics’ top six will predominantly come off the bench, but Mazzulla’s emphasis on team unity suggests that excessive attention should not be placed on the starters.

Another notable aspect to watch is the backup big man position. While Luke Kornet was initially expected to fill that role behind Porzingis and Horford, his performances during the preseason have been underwhelming. In a surprising move, Mazzulla opted to give Neemias Queta the first opportunity off the bench in the game against the Charlotte Hornets. Queta, a two-way signee, has impressed throughout the preseason and even received some minutes with the starting lineup. Mazzulla cautioned against reading too much into preseason minutes, but it is a situation worth monitoring, particularly during the regular season. Queta showcased his skills by contributing 12 points and seven rebounds (including five offensive rebounds) in just 13 minutes of play against the Hornets.