“It’s like one of my second or third homes being back in North Carolina,” Jayson Tatum told NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin. The Boston Celtics routed the Charlotte Hornets 119-80 on Friday night in an NBA Cup group game, boston.com reported.
Tatum scored 34 points on 9-for-16 shooting, adding nine assists and eight rebounds in 29 minutes. He sat out the fourth quarter as Boston built a 39-point lead, pouring in 18 points in the first quarter and making five 3-pointers. The performance continued a pattern: in 2023, Tatum told reporters, “I don’t decide we’re playing the Hornets tonight and I’m going to chill,” explaining why he plays hard in Charlotte, where fans wear his jersey.
Boston Ties Franchise Record With 17 First-Half 3s
Derrick White added 18 points and four 3-pointers, while Payton Pritchard contributed 12 points and four 3s off the bench. White scored 10 of his points in the first quarter, adding five assists and four rebounds. The Celtics shot 24-for-44 from deep, good for 54.5 percent, and made 17 3-pointers in the first half, tying a franchise record, according to NBC Sports Boston. Only Neemias Queta, Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley failed to make a 3-pointer. The Celtics rank eighth in 3-pointers attempted per game at 40.2, down from 48.2 in the 2024-25 season. Tatum’s five 3-pointers were particularly notable after he entered the game shooting 22 percent from deep this season, boston.com reported.
Charlotte Plays Without Ball, Miller
The Hornets were without LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Moussa Diabate and Grant Williams. Brandon Miller left in the second quarter with a groin injury and did not return. Tidjane Salaün scored 13 points on 3-for-11 shooting.
Celtics Move to 2-0 in NBA Cup Group C
Boston improved to 7-2 on the season and 2-0 in Group C with a +53 point differential after two Cup games. The Celtics are likely one win from the knockout rounds, with games remaining against the Wizards and Hawks. The Hawks, who defeated the Wizards on Friday, are 1-0 in the group. “We’ve yet to make it to the Finals,” Tatum said. “It’s something to try to win.”
The Celtics next visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday and the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.