Celtics rout Hornets 119-80 as Tatum drops 34 points

The Boston Celtics dismantled the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, winning 119-80 in a game that was effectively decided by the end of the first half. Jayson Tatum led the effort with 34 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists. Derrick White contributed 18 points to help secure Boston’s second win in the NBA Cup. The victory moved the Celtics to a 2-0 record in the tournament, while the Hornets fell to 0-2.

Boston’s offensive surge came from beyond the arc. The team made 17 of its 31 three-point attempts in the first half. That efficiency gave them a 31-point lead before the halftime break. Tatum scored 18 points in the first quarter alone, hitting three threes. He made nine of his 17 three-point attempts during that initial period.

The Hornets struggled to contain the pressure. Charlotte shot just 28% from the field in the opening half and committed eight turnovers. They played without starters Kon Knueppel and Moussa Diabate. Knueppel reinjured his hamstring on Wednesday in Brooklyn, and coach Charles Lee has not set a return date. It was Knueppel’s first game of the season.

Brandon Miller left the game in the second quarter with a right groin soreness. He finished with eight points on 3-of-10 shooting. Lee said Miller appeared frustrated at times as Boston pressured him defensively. The Hornets have lost six consecutive games. This streak began when Lee benched Naz Reid in the second half of a game against Detroit because Reid did not meet team standards. Reid scored 14 points on Friday.

Tatum stayed on the court until the final minute of the third quarter. Boston led by 42 points at that time. He drew MVP chants from the crowd after hitting a three-pointer from 33 feet. Officials waived off a potential foul on the play, ruling the contact was on the floor. The Celtics used the second half to pad their point differential for the tournament standings.

The Celtics travel to Milwaukee on Sunday night. The Hornets host Cleveland on Monday night.