Celtics vs Hornets: Celtics Dominate 119-80 in NBA Cup Rout

celtics vs hornets: game summary

The Boston Celtics overwhelmed the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, pulling away early and finishing with a 119-80 victory. Boston’s explosive shooting in the first half, especially from beyond the arc, created a 31‑point cushion that proved insurmountable.

boston celtics vs charlotte hornets match player stats

Jayson Tatum produced a near‑triple‑double, tallying 34 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. He sparked the offense with three three‑pointers in the opening quarter and added another long‑range bucket that briefly drew a crowd chant before being overturned.

Derrick White contributed 18 points, including ten in the first quarter as Boston surged to a 40‑20 lead. Naz Reid was the top scorer for Charlotte with 14 points, but the Hornets struggled overall.

Early shooting dominance

Boston converted 17 of 31 three‑point attempts in the first half and 9 of 17 in the opening quarter alone. The Hornets managed just nine of 31 from deep and shot a low 28% from the field, turning the ball over eight times before halftime.

Injuries and lineup notes

Charlotte entered the game without starters Kon Knueppel and Moussa Diabate. Forward Brandon Miller left after the second quarter due to right groin soreness, having scored eight points on 3‑of‑10 shooting. Coach Charles Lee has not set a timetable for Knueppel’s return after a recent hamstring setback.

celtics - hornets outlook

The win improves the Celtics to 2‑0 in NBA Cup competition and marks their seventh victory in eight games. Their next challenge is a road test against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night.

For the Hornets, the loss extends a six‑game skid. They will look to rebound when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday.

For broader context on recent NBA matchups, see the Raptors vs Bucks analysis.

Sources: ESPN, The Boston Globe, NBC Sports Boston.