Celtics Summer League: Dillon Mitchell’s Big Game Against the Hornets (Explained Simply)

A Tall Defender and a Brave Rookie

On Sunday, the Boston Celtics played a summer game against the Charlotte Hornets.
A very tall player named Ryan Kalkbrenner (he is 7 feet 1 inch tall!) is a center (the big player who stays near the basket). He was asked to guard (stay close to) a younger player named Dillon Mitchell for parts of the game.

• Kalkbrenner stood far away from Mitchell when Mitchell was on the “perimeter” (the outer edge of the court). Why? Because he knew Mitchell is most dangerous when closer to the hoop.
• Mitchell stayed calm and shot “3-pointers” (long shots that give 3 points). He made 2 out of 5 of those tries.
• That is more 3-pointers than Mitchell made in his entire senior season (his last year in college)!

Important Point: Mitchell said the coaches looked at him and told him, “Just shoot the ball!” He felt confident because they believed in him. He also knew teammates would “crash” (jump after) any missed shots to try to score again (called offensive rebounds).

Mitchell’s Awesome Numbers

Mitchell is a rookie (first‑year player). His stats were not a surprise in other areas:

• 24 points (score from putting ball in hoop)
• 8 rebounds (catching the ball after a missed shot)
• 6 steals (taking the ball away from opponents)
• 2 blocks (swatting away opponent shots)

He also did these extra things:

1. Made two “fast‑break baskets” (run quickly after stealing the ball to score before defenders arrive) off his own steals.
2. Made a pair of “putbacks” (grab a missed shot and immediately score).

Celtics coach Amile Jefferson said:

“He was so alive today. He played with such great energy. He crashed every time. He had like three different times where he almost had a tip dunk (that’s when you bounce the ball off the rim and slam it in). So when he’s playing with that kind of pop, he’s going to be really good. And anytime he gets an open three he should shoot it. And he did that today, and he was confident.”

Team Effort and What’s Next

• Another player, John Tonje, added 17 points.
• The Celtics made the Hornets lose the ball 25 times (called turnovers).
• As a team they took the ball 11 times (steals) and blocked 8 shots.
• Final score: Celtics 87, Hornets 75.
• The Celtics are now 2 wins, 0 losses.
• Next game: they will face the Hawks on Monday at 6 p.m.

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Other Fun Observations From the Game

Here are the other things that happened, in simple bullet points:

• Derrick White helps like a coach: On Friday, guard Derrick White sat with teammates Jayson Tatum, Neemias Queta, and Jordan Walsh. On Sunday, he went further: he wore a full coaching uniform on the bench, shouted instructions, and gave advice. Coach Jefferson said: “Really good for our guys to see him doing that, to be around them, to share his knowledge with them and then to just motivate them on the bench. That breathes Celtics culture. That’s what it’s about.”

• Some young bigs struggled: Second‑year big man Amari Williams and rookie center Chris Cenac Jr. were stars on Friday but had a tough Sunday. Cenac was 1‑for‑7 shooting with 2 points. Williams had 6 points, 4 blocks, and 5 turnovers (losing the ball). Tucker DeVries hit a 3‑pointer with about 28 seconds left in the first quarter to give the Celtics a “two‑for‑one chance” (they could shoot twice before the quarter ended while the other team only once). Williams didn’t know the time rule; when the Hornets missed as the shot‑clock buzzer (a timer that forces a shot) sounded, Williams grabbed the rebound, thought the quarter was over, held the ball, then realized and fired a full‑court shot.

• Hugo González’s shooting trouble: Second‑year wing (side player) Hugo González went 3‑for‑16 on Friday (he called it one of the worst shooting games of his life). Sunday he was 1‑for‑6 from the field and 1‑for‑5 from 3‑point range through three quarters, then made 2‑of‑4 long shots in the fourth. He had 5 turnovers but was the heart of Boston’s defense that forced many turnovers. Jefferson said: “He has so many tools… we put him on the team’s best player the whole time and tell him to be himself.”

• Liam McNeeley’s rough play: Former UConn star Liam McNeeley gave the Celtics problems with his physicality (being strong/rough) in the first quarter, drawing five fouls. Coaches told González to stop him from coming out of the left corner (a side spot) and getting to his right hand. In the second quarter, Mitchell and Williams blocked his inside shots, and the Celtics forced another missed shot.

• Grant Williams the photographer: Former Celtics forward Grant Williams (now in his fourth season with Charlotte) stood on the baseline (line behind the basket) taking photos. During a second‑quarter timeout he walked over and snapped pictures of White and Jordan Walsh.

• Sick absence: Guard Kyle Mangas missed the game because he was ill.

Summary

The Celtics summer league team beat the Hornets 87–75. Rookie Dillon Mitchell was the star, making more 3‑pointers than his whole senior year and totaling 24 points, 8 rebounds, 6 steals, and 2 blocks. The team played tough defense, forcing many turnovers. Older players and coaches on the bench helped encourage the young guys. Next up: the Hawks on Monday at 6 p.m.

FAQ (Beginner Questions)

Q1: What is a “senior season”?
A: It’s the last year a player competes in college (or high school) before becoming a professional.

Q2: What is a “steal” in basketball?
A: When a player legally takes the ball away from the opposing team.

Q3: What does “crash the boards” mean?
A: It means players run and jump to catch rebounds (balls that miss the hoop) near the basket.

Q4: What is the “summer league”?
A: A set of practice games in summer where teams try out young or new players.

Q5: What is a “tip dunk”?
A: When a player taps the ball near the rim and then slams it into the hoop.

Article by Adam Himmelsbach. Contact: adam.himmelsbach@globe.com — Follow him @adamhimmelsbach.