The Boston Celtics faced off against the Miami Heat in Game 3 of the Las Vegas Summer League on Monday, suffering a narrow loss with a final score of 100-96.
Rookie Hugo González made his return to the court for Boston, starting alongside teammates Charles Bassey, Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, and Max Shulga. The game got off to a rocky start for both teams as they missed early opportunities, but Max Shulga eventually connected with Bassey for the first points of the night with a lob dunk.
As the first quarter progressed, the teams were evenly matched, but Miami managed to end the quarter with an 8-0 run, leading 30-21. Notably, Jordan Walsh had a strong start, hitting three-pointers and contributing 8 points in the opening quarter. However, his performance took a turn when he received two technical fouls and exited the game early, leaving Boston to rally without one of their key players.
Despite the setback, the Celtics showed resilience in the second half. Scheierman, who had struggled with his shooting in earlier games, found his rhythm, hitting several three-pointers and fueling Boston’s comeback effort. By the end of the third quarter, the Celtics had outscored the Heat 31-18, tying the game at 72-72 after trailing significantly at halftime.
González, despite a challenging night with low shooting percentages, managed to score a couple of critical three-pointers that helped Boston regain the lead in the fourth quarter. However, Miami ultimately pulled ahead again with late-game baskets, sealing their victory.
Scheierman led the Celtics with an impressive performance, recording 19 points alongside 9 assists and 5 steals. Lofton Jr. and Walsh contributed significantly as well, providing 12 and 13 points, respectively, although Walsh’s game time was limited.
Looking ahead, the Summer Celtics will aim to bounce back as they prepare to compete against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday at 9 p.m. This upcoming game presents an opportunity for Boston to build on their strong third-quarter performance and improve their overall play in the league.
With multiple players emerging as key contributors, this season holds promise for the Celtics’ future development and offers exciting moments for fans to look forward to. The lessons learned in close contests like this can ultimately pave the way for growth and success in the upcoming seasons.