The Charlotte Hornets were defeated by the Boston Celtics 124-109 on Friday after an intense game riddled with flagrant fouls, technical fouls and ejections.
After capitalizing on Hornets turnovers and pushing the pace, the Celtics had a 40-25 lead after the first quarter.
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Charlotte started the second quarter hot and opened up with a 7-0 scoring run, before the Celtics forced multiple turnovers and expanded their lead back to fifteen. After various scoring runs by both sides, the first half came to a close with Boston leading 71-67.
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After going down with a shoulder injury in the first half, Hornets big man Nick Richards was ruled out for the remainder of the game. With both the starting and backup center injured, the Hornets were forced to play small-ball in the second half.
The close second half was defined by high-paced play and a significant free throw disparity in favor of the Celtics.
Hornets head coach Charles Lee and Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla each received a technical foul in the second half for arguing with the officials. The frustration wasn’t limited to the coaches. In fact, Miles Bridges and Grant Williams were each ejected from the game in the second half. Williams hip-checked Jayson Tatum on a fastbreak and received a flagrant foul II.
Bridges was ejected after sending the ball flying into the stands in frustration. The Hornets never recovered from the foul trouble as the Celtics sealed the game in the final few minutes.
LaMelo Ball led the way for Charlotte with 31 points and four assists while Tre Mann put up 23 points and five assists. For Boston, Tatum put up 32 points and 11 rebounds and Jaylen Brown finished with 25 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Charlotte will get a chance at redemption quickly, as they’re set to play the Celtics again on Saturday.
James Parker is an NBA writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
