Celtics Begin NBA Cup with Loss to Hawks

The Boston Celtics began their NBA Cup campaign with a narrow 117-116 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, with Jaylen Brown scoring 37 points. The NBA Cup, now in its second year, features 30 teams competing in a group stage, with the top teams advancing to knockout rounds. This tournament integrates into the regular season and includes games that influence both NBA Cup and regular standings. Meanwhile, the Maine Celtics are set to open their G-League season against the Westchester Knicks at the Portland Expo, with a follow-up game on Sunday. In another match, the Mavericks are set to face the Golden State Warriors, where Klay Thompson will play against his former team for the first time since leaving, highlighting his crucial role in the Warriors' legacy.