Key takeaways: Celtics impress in season-opening win

Micah Adams

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Key takeaways: Celtics impress in season-opening win image

The Boston Celtics looked awfully impressive in the season-opening win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

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Here are three key takeaways from the 1st of 1,230 games this season.

Jayson Tatum looks ready for a big season

In last year's run to the Conference Finals, Jayson Tatum carried Boston on offence as it played without Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward.

There's obviously 81 more regular-season games, but if the season opener was any indication, Tatum is not about to take a back seat to anyone.

The second-year wing looked comfortable in the half court and in transition, scoring a team-high 23 points on an efficient 9-17 from the field. He did it despite struggling to find his range as he finished just 1-5 from beyond the 3-point line. 

Tatum's ability to manufacture points will be paramount throughout the season for Boston in games like this in which Irving and Hayward struggle to get going. The two established stars returning from injury combined to shoot 6-26. 

Welcome back, Gordon Hayward

Though he may have looked understandably rusty, it was awesome to see Hayward back on the court.


Hayward knocked down a few jumpers en route to finishing with 10 points. And while the finishing will come with time, Hayward didn't show much hesitation as he regularly ran pick-and-roll actions, cut hard and sprinted the floor. He also made some impressive stops on the other end against a variety of 76ers, switching seamlessly and holding firm in the paint.

As expected, he played 25 minutes which matched the minutes restriction he'll be on to begin the season.

Ben Simmons is must-see TV

It's a long season so there will be plenty of time to point out what the 76ers need to improve on if they'll seriously contend with the Celtics and Raptors in the Eastern Conference.

For now, let's appreciate Ben Simmons who dazzled with several highlight-worthy dimes. He threw passes over his head and between his legs, skip passes that traveled the length of the floor and turned every fastbreak into an edge-of-your seat moment.

Simmons finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals in the loss.

 

Micah Adams

Micah Adams Photo

Micah Adams is a Managing Editor and Head of Affiliate and Commercial Content at Sporting News. Prior to joining SN in 2021, Adams spent over a decade producing and leading content teams at ESPN, DAZN and The Social Institute. Adams graduated from Duke University in 2009 and remains a Cameron Crazie at heart well into his 30s. When not losing sleep or hair over the Blue Devils, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bulls, and USMNT, Adams enjoys chasing his two small children around along with his wife, losing golf balls, spending time outdoors and binging terrible movies.