Carsen Edwards, Tacko Fall Lead Celtics Past 76ers at 2019 NBA Summer League
The Boston Celtics opened their 2019 Las Vegas Summer League account with a 96-82 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.
Tacko Fall made his NBA debut for the Celtics, as did 2019 second-round NBA draft pick Carsen Edwards. Fall had six points, four rebounds and one block in 10 minutes, while Edwards scored a game-high 20 points and shot 5-of-12 from beyond the arc.
Many fans were eager to see the 7'7" Fall step onto the court for Boston, and they got what they wanted to see, as the former UCF center used his massive frame to positive effect throughout the game.
His only block came in the first quarter when he swatted Haywood Highsmith's layup attempt off the backboard.
Although Fall's offensive game is still a work-in-progress, his height gives him a clear advantage. He hardly has to elevate in order to get the ball above the rim.
Nobody expects Fall to be a regular rotation option for the Celtics right out the gate. The Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett made the case for his suitability in the right situations, though:
If nothing else, the summer league will be a great chance for Fall to audition for a spot in the NBA G League to continue developing before he's good enough to play every night in the NBA.
Edwards earned similarly positive praise, particularly for his work on the defensive end. He finished with three steals for the game.
First-round draft pick Grant Williams had 12 points, six rebounds and two steals, while second-year center Robert Williams III nearly had a double-double (nine points, nine boards).
Boston isn't in full-scale rebuilding mode, but the bar for success has clearly changed based on this offseason. Edwards and Williams join what was already a promising young nucleus and give president of basketball operations Danny Ainge more pieces to consider as he attempts to find a new route to title contention.
The Sixers traded up with the Celtics in order to get the draft rights to 20th overall pick Matisse Thybulle.
Thybulle was a two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year at Washington but flashed some of his offensive skill Saturday. He shot 5-of-12 from the floor and 4-of-9 from beyond the arc en route to a 15-point night.
Thybulle's performances in the summer league won't be enough to dispel the notion Philadelphia might have been better off targeting a more proven shooter in the first round. Floor-spacing was one of the team's biggest issues this past year, and Thybulle seemingly wouldn't address that need.
He will, however, make the Sixers even more of a nightmare to face on the defensive end, so any improvements he can make to his shooting will be an added bonus.
