Celtics Secure First Win with Key Contributions from Minott and Simons

BOSTON, Massachusetts – The Boston Celtics recorded their first victory of the season with a 122-90 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on October 27, showing promise with a new starting lineup. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla stuck with the successful combination from their previous game, giving Josh Minott his second consecutive start alongside Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Jaylen Brown, and Neemias Queta.

Minott, a 22-year-old forward, made a significant impact in his first career start. He scored 15 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and contributed a steal and a block. The Celtics outscored the Pelicans by 42 points during his 28 minutes on the court, marking one of the best plus-minus performances in team history.

“I’m still kind of high on life from the game right now,” said Minott. “Just the opportunity to be out there, to contribute to winning, and help the team succeed is something I can’t take for granted.”

Mazzulla had previously rotated players in the fifth spot of the lineup, but Minott’s performance pushed him to retain the role against the Cavaliers. He explained, “He’s embraced the challenge of understanding effort plus execution, and he’s just got to keep getting better at it.”

In the win over New Orleans, Minott started the game strong with an alley-oop dunk that set the tone for the Celtics. He continued to excel defensively, leading to fast-break opportunities. One highlight included him intercepting a pass and converting it into a dunk.

Jaylen Brown, who had been nursing a hamstring strain, returned to the game after being upgraded from probable. Meanwhile, the Pelicans played without top scorer Zion Williamson and All-Star Darius Garland.

Anfernee Simons, another new addition to the Celtics, also made a mark in the game, scoring a team-high 25 points, including several three-pointers during a critical run that sealed the victory. Mazzulla emphasized the importance of every player’s contribution in a challenging season. “If the moment demands a substitution, I’m pulling that trigger without hesitation,” he stated.

With a mix of new talent and established players, the Celtics are working to establish their identity this season. The team is hopeful about building on this victory as they navigate the ups and downs of the season.