Baylor Scheierman Shakes off Rust, Jaden Springer Impresses in Celtics' Summer League Opener

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ICARO Media Group
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14/07/2024 18h30

In their first NBA Summer League game, the Boston Celtics faced a 119-114 loss to the Miami Heat at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Despite the defeat, there were notable performances from Baylor Scheierman and Jaden Springer, providing fans with glimpses of the team's future potential.

Baylor Scheierman, the No. 30 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, initially struggled with his shooting, missing his first three 3-point attempts. However, the 6-foot-6 forward displayed versatility on the court, contributing with six assists, five rebounds, and a steal. Scheierman eventually found his rhythm and finished the game with 13 points on 4 of 9 shooting, including 3 of 7 from beyond the arc. His strong playmaking ability was evident early on, as he notched a couple of assists in the opening minutes, showcasing his potential impact outside of scoring.

While Scheierman drew attention, it was Jaden Springer who stole the show for the Celtics. The 21-year-old guard, acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers in February, led the team in scoring with an impressive 23 points on 8 of 15 shooting. Springer also showcased his playmaking skills, tallying six assists and two steals. His ability to find Neemias Queta for an easy dunk and his acrobatic pull-up jumper solidified his impactful performance.

Neemias Queta, an experienced player on the Celtics' Summer League roster, demonstrated his prowess in the paint. The fourth-year big man contributed 20 points on 9 of 15 shooting, along with nine rebounds (including six offensive boards), two assists, a steal, and a block. Queta's energy and rim protection were on display throughout the game, making him an intriguing player to watch early in the season, especially with Kristaps Porzingis expected to be sidelined until November or December.

Anton Watson, the Celtics' second-round pick, had a quieter night compared to Scheierman and Queta, but showcased his defensive skills with a highlight block on a layup attempt by Miami's Jaime Jaquez Jr. Watson ended the game with eight points, shooting 4 of 7, and made contributions on the defensive end with two rebounds and a steal.

Although the Celtics fell short in their Summer League opener, the performances of Scheierman, Springer, Queta, and Watson offer glimpses of the team's bright future. The Celtics' next Summer League game is set for Monday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, where fans will eagerly anticipate the continued development of these exciting young prospects.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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