Postgame Coverage: Game Gallery | Coach Borrego | Terry Rozier | PJ Washington
The first exhibition contest of the season for the Charlotte Hornets is officially in the books as they came up just short against the Celtics, falling 107-106, on Sunday, Oct. 6 in Boston.
Rookie PJ Washington racked up 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting (3-of-4 from three), seven rebounds and two assists in just 20 minutes off the bench. All but one of the University of Kentucky product’s points came in the second quarter.
Charlotte held a 17-point lead with 8:11 remaining in the third, but Boston closed out the frame on a 20-4 run to cut the deficit down to just one. The Celtics got out in front for good midway through the fourth, withstanding a last-minute Hornets rally for their first preseason win.
“I’m really proud of their effort. Obviously, we have a long way to go,” said Hornets Head Coach James Borrego after the game. “I thought PJ was fantastic tonight. He shot the ball with confidence. High IQ basketball player. He looks like a real player out there.”
After recording just one double-double all of last season, second-year forward Miles Bridges racked up 12 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Caleb Martin (13) and Dwayne Bacon (10) were both in double figures, while Terry Rozier notched nine points, four rebounds, a game-high nine assists, two steals and zero turnovers against his former team.
Jayson Tatum led Boston with a game-high 20 points. Rookie Javonte Green (15), former-Hornet Kemba Walker (12), Enes Kanter (11) and Carsen Edwards (11) also added double-digit scoring performances for the hometown squad.
Charlotte connected on 14-of-38 three-point attempts (36.8%), getting multiple long-distance makes off the bench from Washington, Caleb Martin, Robert Franks and Devonte’ Graham. The Hornets coughed up the ball 26 times leading to 28 Boston points and had 11 shots blocked.
The team now returns to Spectrum Center to make their preseason home debut against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, Oct. 9 beginning at 7:30 PM EST.