On this day: Kemba Walker first return to Charlotte as a Boston Celtic
On this day in Boston Celtics history, a trio of regular-season wins took place over the last 10 years. The first of the three was a 100-94 overtime win over the Washington Wizards.
It saw outstanding performances from big man Kevin Garnett (20 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal), point guard Rajon Rondo (18 points, 4 boards, 14 assists, and 3 steals, and wing Paul Pierce (15 points, 10 rebounds and 4 steals). Guard Jason Terry also chipped in 16 points off the bench to help secure the win for the Celtics despite the team shooting just 30.8% from beyond the arc.
“Overall, it’s about the win; that’s what we did,” Rondo said at the time via the A.P.
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
It is also the date of a 101-98 squeaker over the Indiana Pacers in 2014 at TD Garden.
Strong play from center Jared Sullinger (17 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists), forward Jeff Green (15 points, 7 rebounds), and big man Kelly Olynyk (12 points, 5 boards) won the day despite guard Marcus Smart hurting his ankle early in the game.
Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
“It was very difficult,” said Green via the AP regarding Smart’s ankle sprain.
“You hate to see a teammate go down, especially when he’s playing well. That game was for him. We had to win it for him.”
(AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Finally, it also saw the Celtics blow out the Hornets 108-87 in Kemba Walker’s first return home to Charlotte since joining Boston over the summer.
The UConn product put up 14 points and 6 assists alongside 20 points, 10 boards, and 6 assists from veteran forward Gordon Hayward, and swingman Jayson Tatum stole the show with 23 points and 9 rebounds.
“It was special, just to be back here and the amount of love I have been getting today and leading up to this day,” shared Walker via the AP.
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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire
Source: Yahoo Sports
