Boston Celtics preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – The Boston Celtics got their preseason off to a positive start on the night of Thursday, October 8, 2026, securing a 124-113 road victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Notably, the Boston Celtics rested most of their top players for this preseason opener.

Five different Celtics players scored in double figures during the win. Luka Garza recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Hugo Gonzalez contributed 15 points, while roster hopeful Devin Carter stole the show early on, scoring 15 of his 17 total points in the first half.

The Boston Celtics’ offense was impressive all night against a Cavs squad that fielded all its regular players—except for James Harden (ankle injury)—during the first half. Boston’s reserves combined for 71 points, largely due to their hustle in securing offensive rebounds. Jaylon Tyson finished with 14 points, leading the Cavs in the losing effort.

The Boston Celtics now have a day off before returning to action on Saturday night to host the Philadelphia 76ers, that game will likely mark the preseason debut for most of Boston’s regular rotation players.

Here are four key takeaways from the Boston Celtics’ victory in Cleveland on Thursday night:

Boston Celtics preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

1. The Boston Celtics rested most of their regular players. After a full week of training in Charleston, Joe Mazzulla opted to rest his regulars for the preseason opener. Seven key players in Boston’s rotation sat out, including Jayson Tatum, Paul George, Payton Pritchard, and Mitchell Robinson. Ron Harper Jr. also missed the game due to a shoulder injury that is not considered serious. 

With most of the Boston Celtics’ regular players sitting out, the team had a chance to take a closer look at their young wings; Gonzalez, Scheierman, and Walsh started alongside Mike Conley Jr. and Luka Garza.

The Boston Celtics also had the opportunity to evaluate rookies and players vying for the final open two-way contract slot (such as Carter and Milos Uzan).

The “B-team” performed admirably in the first half against the Cavs’ regulars, scoring 71 points before the break.

2. Boston Celtics assistant coaches had a unique opportunity to step into the head coaching role. While Joe Mazzulla watched the preseason game from the locker room, assistant coach Tony Dobbins served as the head coach for the first half.

DJ MacLeay took the reins in the second half, giving both men a fun opportunity to lead the team—fitting, given that both had been finalists for NBA head coaching positions this past summer.

Mazzulla plans to continue giving his assistants opportunities throughout the preseason; Sam Cassell is set to serve as head coach for the team’s final preseason game against the 76ers next week.

3. Devin Carter put in a convincing performance in his bid for a roster spot. The former Providence star earned this opportunity with the Boston Celtics after being waived by the Atlanta Hawks in September, and he made the most of it during his preseason debut.

Coming off the bench, the guard was the leading scorer in the first half, tallying 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field. He attacked the basket effectively in both isolation and transition situations, holding his own against the Cavs’ starters while displaying a tenacious defensive mentality through his ball pressure.

Carter finished the game with 17 points in 25 minutes and posted a team-high plus-23 rating, putting him in the driver’s seat for Boston’s final two-way contract spot after just one preseason game. 

4. The Boston Celtics dominated the offensive glass. Even with the NBA’s best offensive rebounder among big men (Mitchell Robinson) sidelined that night, the Boston Celtics overwhelmed a team that had been a solid rebounding squad the previous year. Boston recorded 10 offensive rebounds in the first quarter alone and maintained a double-digit advantage in that category throughout the game, helping them overcome poor shooting from the field.

Luka Garza led the way with four offensive rebounds, while rookies Dillon Mitchell and Chris Cenac Jr. contributed three each. All five Boston starters also grabbed offensive rebounds, helping the team build a 26-6 advantage over the Cavs in second-chance points. (Bembo)