The Celtics’ preseason finale belonged to the guys fighting for an NBA foothold, but the biggest winner might have been the one who didn’t suit up at all.
Boston closed exhibition play with a 125-120 overtime win over the Philadelphia 76ers, and Sam Cassell spent the night running the show while Joe Mazzulla handed over the reins. Cassell has been open about wanting his own head-coaching shot, and he told Hardwood Houdini last February, "I would love to have an opportunity to do it.
I'm striving for it because I still love this. I wouldn't do it if I didn't love it," said Cassell.
"I love what I'm doing. I always have a smile on my face.
I'm just upbeat. I enjoy being a part of the Association, especially being part of the Boston Celtics."
For one night, he got that chance. And he did it with a lineup built around Milos Uzan, Hayden Gray, Gabe McGlothan, Tucker Devries, and Chris Cenac Jr. They held their own against LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid, and ultimately helped push the visitors to the win.
The game had the feel of a showcase for Boston’s Exhibit 10 players, and that group made the most of it. But none of that changed the picture around the Celtics’ last two-way spot.
Devin Carter entered the night as the favorite for that opening, and nothing in his absence suggested otherwise. He has missed Boston’s final three preseason games because of an illness, and he was not seen around the practice facility or TD Garden while the media was present this week.
Even so, he already made a strong early case in the preseason opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers. In Boston’s 124-113 win, Carter scored 17 points, shot 5/9 from the field, hit all six of his free throws, and added five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. That was the kind of outing that sticks.
Meanwhile, the group chasing him - Uzan, DeVries, Gray, and McGlothan - earned their own moment in Philadelphia. They stepped into the spotlight and came through in a meaningful way. Still, despite the night those players had, Carter remains the most likely candidate to claim Boston’s final two-way roster spot.
In Other News...
Jayson Tatum Knows What Celtics Must Chase Again This Season
Jayson Tatum still sounds like someone carrying the memory of last spring with him into this season. After helping the Celtics win the 2024 title, he looked back on the parade in Boston as the high point of his career, a reminder of how rare and satisfying that run felt for everyone involved. Even without the Finals MVP trophy, Tatum was at the center of it all, producing strong numbers in the series and cementing his place as the franchises face.
Now the challenge is less about reliving that moment than getting back to a place where another one is possible. Boston enters the new season with plenty of uncertainty after trades and a deeper field of contenders, while Tatum also comes in after recovering from an Achilles injury. He has said he is optimistic about returning to a normal NBA season, and for the Celtics, that is where the focus has to start before they can think about another downtown celebration. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Suddenly Have A Frontcourt Problem Luka Garza Cant Ignore
The Celtics have had one of the more encouraging preseason looks in the frontcourt, and a big reason for that has been rookie Chris Cenac Jr. He has played with a confidence that has stood out, showing the kind of skill package Boston likes to see from a young big, with his handle, rim touch and defensive instincts making him look more polished than a typical first-year player.
That matters for Luka Garza and Amari Williams, because the minutes picture can change quickly when a rookie starts looking this comfortable. Garza is already on an expiring deal, and Williams could find himself sliding further down the depth chart if Cenac keeps making this kind of progress, which turns what looked like a straightforward rotation battle into an early frontcourt squeeze. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Defense Is Showing A New Edge Fans Will Notice
The Celtics have spent the preseason showing a sharper defensive edge, one that has stood out even before the real games begin. Boston has looked more connected and disruptive on that end, with ball pressure and team coordination giving the group a noticeably different feel, even if the competition so far has not been top-tier.
There is still plenty to prove once the schedule toughens, but the early signs are hard to ignore for a team that wants its defense to travel when it matters most. The leagues preseason has also brought an unsettling reminder of how quickly things can change, with season-ending Achilles injuries to Otega Oweh and Ariel Hukporti adding to a worrying trend around the NBA. [Read more 🡒]